Balcones Prepares for 2011 Burner Bash

Balcones Resources is preparing for its second annual Balcones Burner Bash event, which will take place Saturday, Oct. 22, in Austin, Texas, where the company is headquartered.

Richie Getter, materials marketing and procurement, plastics division, says the graffiti-art focused fundraiser is poised to build on its success from last year. “This event was received very well by the environmental and art community here in Central Texas last year and boasts to be even bigger and better this year, as we have hand-selected the top 12 graffiti artists from the entire state to attend,” he says.

The event benefits the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the University of Texas that works to preserve the state's natural landscapes and native plants.

Burner Bash asks the artists to paint around a chosen environmental theme on the side of Balcones Resources railcars that are used to ship recycled fiber throughout the Southwest and into Mexico. The artists have a five-hour time period to complete their murals, with murals judged to be in the top three spots receiving cash prizes.

Getter says, “This is a family-friendly event to promote environmental awareness through live painting. Last year, we were able to raise $10,000 for the Wildflower Center, and this year it looks like we will raise $25,000 to $30,000.”

Among the sponsors of the 2011 Burner Bash are Bulk Handling Systems, Eugene, Ore.; Sierra International Machinery, Bakersfield, Calif.; contracting firm KDW (currently building a new material recovery facility for Balcones and the city of Austin); Plains Capital Bank; Texas Southeastern Railroad; Anheuser Busch beer distributors Brown Distributing.

“All sponsors will have their logos and taglines painted in between two murals on each railcar door,” Getter says.

More information on the event can be found at http://balconesburner.blogspot.com/ and at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU2LXg9HBO4&feature=player_embedded.