Coverings 2013 Package

Howdy Coverings 2013 Attendees & the Curious!

Below is the starter package, provided free of charge when the following is completed within thirty days of receipt of display boards.

• A PO# is submitted for display boards
• Boards are hung up on store walls
• Pictures of staff in front of boards, taken inside your showroom
• List of Staff (Email & Responsibility)
• Product Knowledge seminar completed
• Your Logo
• Credit card number on file ( If all of the above steps are not completed within 31 days of the receipt of boards we will charge your card $200. Please understand that this is only to insure that the requirements are met.)

Remember this is the free package you can select your own or add to this.

BB30 6” Hexagon Normandy Cream
Shown with “butter cream” grout @ Coverings. Your board will ship with “butter cream”

GB29 Smooth Brick Cotto Dark

Limited Quantity Avilable (front and back of board shown)

BB26 Arabesque Pattern 8c Winslet Blend.
Great tease of our arabesque series

Tip The World Over

Tip The World Over On Its Side And Everything Loose Will Land In Los Angeles

Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wrong Tile

Tile designed by Vod

In Stock Items

Stock as of 5/14/13

300 sqft 12×12 Spanish Cotto

300 sqft 12×12 Artillo Tuscan Mustard

400 sqft 9×11 San Felipe Cotto DArk

600 sqft 9×11 San Felipe Spanish Cotto( you can add these to the san felipe cotto dar or tuscan mustardk to extend the square footage)

250 sqft 9×11 San Felipe Tuscan Mustard

230 sqft 12×13 San Felipe Hermosa

0 sqft 1×9 Villagio Tuscan Mustard

600 sqft 6×6 Artillo Normandy Cream

700 sqft 4×8 Picket with 4×4 color Artillo

400 sqft 12×13 San Felipe Tuscan Mustard

stock items are move fast-speed checked by radar

Can’t wait to get a piece of Arto?  Dealer telling you 4-6 weeks? Well it is about time we let the public in on a secret

Arto has Quick Ship items.

Quick Ship is a collection of our most popular items readily available

We have made a commitment to have these items available for you and all your 911 tile dreams

Arto’s Quick Ship items consist of

12×12 Artillo in Spanish Cotto,Tuscan Mustard, Cotto DArk and Cotto Gold

12″ Artillo Stairtreads in the same colors as above

hey wait there’s more….

You like “Normandy Cream” ?

we stock 4×4 Artillo,4×8 Artillo, 6×6 Artillo, 6″ Hexagon all in Normandy Cream

sometimes we have 12×12 Normandy too

Do you know Used Red?

well there is plenty where that came from

2×8 Antik, 4×8 Antik in Used Red and the most popular 2×8 Corners to match

Have you seen the Broadway Pavers?

Broadway Pavers are a basic gray & smooth top, crisp edged stepping stone- we make them by the truckload

Quick Ship items typically sell quickly and need a day to pull from stock and make ready for your next pick up

all the regular prices and discounts and ordering procedures apply- wait for a ready fax !

What to Expect When Choosing ARTO Tile

Armen talks about what to expect, packaging and sealing. He also throws in some personal insight.

It ARTO right for you?

ARTO AIA CEU Event – March 22, 2013

Highlights form the factory tour and AIA CEU.  Please contact William Love about scheduling/sponsoring an event or times and dates of already scheduled events.

William Love

AIA CES Provider/Project Specifications/ LEED Assistance For
Architects/Landscape Architects/Interior Designers

Phone: (310) 308-4222

Send email

ARTO AIA CEU and Factory Tour, February 22, 2013

Highlights form the factory tour and AIA CEU.  Please contact William Love about scheduling/sponsoring an event or times and dates of already scheduled events.

William Love

AIA CES Provider/Project Specifications/ LEED Assistance For
Architects/Landscape Architects/Interior Designers

Phone: (310) 308-4222

Send email

ARTO AIA CEU Sponsored by Ceramic Tile Design – San Rafael

If you are in the Bay Area or plan to visit around March 20, 2013 sign up to take an ARTO AIA CEU course sponsored by Ceramic Tile Design San Rafael.

What will the course be about?

The Beautiful World of Concrete : Understanding precast and specifying for your project

Where will it be?

Ceramic Tile Design San Rafael

What time?

4:30 pm – 6:00pm

Who is organizing this event?

It will be presented by William Love and Stephanie Morgan and sponsored by Ceramic Tile Design – San Rafael

How much Does it Cost?

Its Free!

How do I get a ticket?

Register to Attend HERE

Highlights from ARTO AIA CEU Course at the Factory

Boneyard 4/5/13

Ladies and Gentleman looking for great tile at a great price and you need it NOW!

look no further and visit Arto Brick’s Boneyard

all your favorite items and at your favorite low price

stock as of 4/5/13

18×18 Slate Stepping Stones in assorted colors $5 each what? YES  $5 U.S. dollars each-yow!!

2099 pc 8″ Roman Tile Hexagon Sidewalk Gray

2×10 & 6×12 BAstogne Early Gray 250sqft wow

160 sqft 4×4 Artillo Gray Myst a little darker than normal -

100 pcs 12×12 Red Quarry Tile

many mixed Ceramic Tiles Great for Mosaics, must see, will take best offer many hand painted decos, at a super duper deal- if you are a tile lover this is a most see, make an offer

980 pcs 15×18 San Felipe Early Gray- Hot stuff make an offer – in stock in Ventura county- SOLD

Pool Copings, Roman Pavers, Artillo Tile all priced to sell and much much more

Are you looking for Tuscan Pavers- we got it

are you looking to complete a kitchen or bathroom-come on !! we got it!

see you here

show up between monday and friday with a truck and the square footage you need- and we will find something that fits your projects need

email Armen@artobrick.com to set an appointment to see material-thank you

Boneyard Stock as of 1/15/13

Bone Yard sales are cash only plus sales tax and like all Arto products all sales are final

everything $2.50 a piece

these are available F.O.B. Gardena at our factory

these sell quickly call before you come!!

currently in stock

• 450 pcs 8″ Hex Tuscan Mustard-SOLD
• 250 pcs 8×16 Artillo Spanish Cotto Limestone- SOLD
• 300 pcs 12×13 San Felipe Tuscan Mustard- SOLD
• 21242 pc 8″ Roman Tile Hexagon Sidewalk Gray
• 680 pcs 1×10 BAstogne
• 18×18 Slate Stepping Stones Mixed Colors $5 each
• 160 sqft 4×4 Artillo Gray Myst a llittle darker than normal -
• 100 pcs 12×12 Red Quarry Tile
• many mixed Ceramic Tiles Great for Mosaics, must see, will take best offer
• 980 pcs 15×18 San Felipe EArly Gray- Hot stuff make an offer

ARTO Factory Tour/Course/Lunch with 2 AIA LU – Friday, January 25

Architects and design professionals are invited to tour the ARTO factory complex in Gardena, CA and attend our AIA course: “The Beautiful Face of Concrete: Using Precast Tile, Pavers, and Wall Veneer for Historic Restoration and Renovation” on Friday, January 25.

There is no charge for the tour or the course and it is a great opportunity to start the year with two AIA LUs and a tasty lunch while learning more about our unique handcrafted concrete products.

The AIA certified tour starts at 11:00 AM with lunch to follow at 12:00 PM.  The AIA course will be presented afterward and we will then offer informal tours of our new ARTO Tile Studio and Western Quarry Tile clay production facilities.

Please RSVP to wlove@artobrick.com or call William Love 310-308-4222 for more information.  We hope to see you here at ARTO on Friday, January 25.

Arabesque Pattern 9b Assorted Grays

Ridiculous is the New Authentic (Remarkable)

I started out from birth in the business with a romantic view of it. Along the way I was bombarded with events and people that said I was ridiculous for it. Sometimes you need reassurance that being odd is what got you to the dance.

Here is Seth’s view “ridiculous is the new remarkable”

Overruns to Restore (Habitat Los Angeles)

Howdy All,

We just sent a few truck loads of overruns to Habitat Greater Los Angeles (Located in Gardena http://habitatla.org/restore/location-and-hours/)

We hope to bring back the old Boneyard Program we had while we were located in West Los Angeles but till then pick them up over the REstore

Karin loading the Habitat Truck

ARTO Tile Studio Launch

ARTO is proud to introduce his own line of Clay Deco Tiles and Clay Field tiles form the ARTO Tile Studio.

The ARTO Tile Studio, in essence, is a Design Studio first and a factory second.  We are designers at heart and enjoy making custom pieces for you.  We have an extensive catalog of  traditional predesigned line drawings that can be colored to match your decor and style.  From a deco to a large scale mural, the ARTO Tile Studio Artisans can create new designs or modify our existing catalog.

• Made in the USA
• 33% Recycled Content
• Freeze Thaw Rated
• For Waterline/Wet Areas

The California Revival Collection.

• Quickship
• Standard Decos
• Standard Field Tile and Trim
• Murals
• Custom Available

Quickship Collection

The Quick Ship Collection consists of ten designs in two distinct color ways, and is available in 3×3, 4×4, 5×5, and 6×6 sizes.  Due to the bodies being high fired, they are freeze-thaw resistant.  They can be used for walls or floors, indoor or outside, and also for pools and fountains.   From the source of the clay to the hand painting, all ARTO Tile Studio decos are produced  in California, USA.

Quick ship means they are ready to ship in 1 to 2 weeks.

Standard Collection

The Standard Collection is 25 pre-colored, traditional, designs.  They are available in 3×3, 4×4, 5×5 and 6×6.  Just like the Quick Ship Collection, they can be installed just about anywhere.   Styles “a” and “b” are completely glazed while the “c” color way has sections intentionally  unglazed to show the beauty of the raw clay body.

Standard Field Tile and Trim

ARTO has 52 Glaze colors to complement the Standard Deco Collection.  Field tile sizes are available in 3×3, 4×4, 5×5, 6×6 , a 4” Hexagon.  ARTO Tile Studio has a full range of trim pieces to finish the job, from Mouldings to Base Coves.  All field tile and trim pieces are made in the USA.

Murals

The ARTO Tile Studio has an extensive catalog of murals.  To find out more about the murals, please call 888.757.8453 or email info@artobrick.com

AIA CES Course Luncheon, September 19

AIA CES Course Luncheon

Hosted by ARTO and Green Goods

Green Goods

Guest Speaker , William Love, ARTO

“The Beautiful Face of Concrete: Using Precast Tile, Pavers, and Wall Veneer for Historic Restoration and Renovation”   (AIA 1.0 LU/HSW/SD credit)

The course explores how concrete tile, pavers, and wall veneer are employed for restoration and renovation of buildings and infrastructure.  The design and manufacturing process is detailed to better understand the wide range of design options.  Case studies demonstrate how concrete tile, pavers, and wall veneer can preserve the cultural heritage of architecturally significant buildings and places while contributing toward sustainability and LEED certification.

Since 1966, ARTO has designed and handcrafted concrete tile, pavers, brick veneer, wall panels, hardscape products, and architectural elements in Los Angeles, CA.  We offer rustic & modern styles plus we specialize in custom fabrication, color matching, and historic restoration.  Our Western Quarry Tile division has been handcrafting glazed and unglazed terracotta products for over 30 years. The ARTO Tile Studio offers handpainted tiles and murals from classic designs to custom images and logos.

ARTO products can contribute to LEED certification in a variety of ways as we are locally manufactured with locally sourced raw materials plus we can incorporate a wide range of recycled content.  We also offer 12 colors certified to reduce the heat island effect plus permeable and pervious pavers to minimize runoff and water pollution.  Notable projects include Terranea Resort (spa pool & restaurant), Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, City of San Clemente and LA City Hall (historic restoration), Mariachi Plaza subway station (custom canopy panels), and the Port of Los Angeles Cruise Ship Terminal (custom ballast blocks for 1.2 MW photovoltaic system).

Low Relief Tile / R&D

Howdy Guys

Made in USA handcrafted tile

Beto from the Western Quarry factory is working on a project. He produced these wonderful Low Relief Handmade Glazed Tiles. I  am not sure what period they are from or what the romantic name is for them but they are good looking. The ones shown are glazed  & fired with the Western Quarry Color Ways in a Gas Kiln at cone 4. They have that feel when you hold one.

Low Relief Tile Made in USA

Shout out to our Sales Guys Rory, Steph & Dale if you want to be on the early release track info@artobrick.com

Sustainability Committee / Precast.org

Armen Alajian also recently attended Committee Week for the National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA)

The NPCA represents manufacturers of diverse precast products ranging from septic tanks and utility boxes to decorative wall panels and architectural details. Armen is an active member of the Sustainability Committee which is responsible for developing standards to minimize the environmental impacts of these products and their manufacturing.   The committee also works to promote awareness of these efforts and the sustainable qualities of precast concrete within the architectural and design communities.

The Sustainability Committee is developing a sustainable plant certification process and voted to create Sustainability Awards to recognize projects that best incorporate these aspects of precast concrete.  Other topics discussed were the recent postponement of LEED 2012 (renamed LEED v4) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) which are essentially “nutrition labels” that can be used to compare environmental impacts of different materials.  Product Category Rules (PCR) can be material specific and used to set parameters for both EPDs and LCAs (life cycle analysis).

The Sustainability Committee is also developing a new AIA CES course on the topic and will be contributing content for a new column on sustainability for Precast Solutions magazine.  Visit the NPCA website for more information on the sustainable aspects of precast concrete products plus other resources for architects and design professionals.

Precast Concrete

Editorial: Seth’s Note for note

Our Tag Line is “Rustic Elegance” it has started to become small as we have grown at least to me. It still works but it comes across narrow. When I read this Post from Seth it clarified what we meant many years ago. I may revisit the tag line again but in the mean time I have added two more tools to my small vocabulary #tilemagic & #brickmagic

Note for note

PRECAST.ORG Update June 2012

ARTO Technical Director William Love recently attended Committee Week for the National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA)

The NPCA represents manufacturers of diverse precast products ranging from septic tanks and utility boxes to decorative wall panels and architectural details. William serves as Chairman of both the Building Product Committee and the Architectural Subcommittee in order to develop standards for and increase awareness of precast concrete architectural products.

The committee & subcommittee have developed a comprehensive repair guide for architectural precast concrete products which standardizes procedures for repair both before and after installation. Once formally approved, the repair guide will supplement the NPCA’s industry leading QC/QA manual and plant certification process.

Other projects include developing new AIA CES offerings, including an exciting course on sustainability to debut at the upcoming PrecastShow (Indianapolis, January 11-13, 2013), as well as guide specifications for commonly used products. Visit the NPCA website to learn more about the exciting possibilities of architectural precast concrete and the many resources available for architects and design professionals.

2011 Creative Use of Precast Awards

Honorable Mention for Mariachi Plaza

Created custom concrete tile to match stone of the Gazebo.

The judging was extremely close.  In most cases, the winning projects were separated from the rest of the projects by less than one point…..The entry [Mariachi Plaza] finished just a fraction of a point behind the third place score, however, and earned a Honorable Mention.

~Bob Whitmore Communications Director NPCA

Still looks like a winner to me. We are very proud to have this Honorable Mention.   To see other Civic projects CLICK HERE.

Gardena California – New Jewelry District

You Don’t Drive a Bentley without a BIG Watch in Malbu

Gardena California’s New Jewelry District

ARTO Tile studio is a division of ARTO that produces hand painted deco tiles, murals and jewelry. These are the true “bling” that accents our concrete line from ARTO and our clay line form Western Quarry. The Tile Studio, started in January of 2012, specializes in historic reproductions of a broad array of designs from Moorish to Malibu.

For the complete story visit:
ARTO Tile Studio

Coverings 2012 Thanks

The Professional One
Well We “Thinks” So

We prepared this before we left for Orlando with our staff & stuff. We assume it went well for us and for you as well.

Upon our return home we will catch our breath and start planning for the next show and theme. Last year we focused on Arabesque shapes, highlighted existing tessellations we had in our library and added more that complemented those. These shapes are not new to the world, but instead a place for us to focus our energy. Next year our energy will be set on Wall Cladding, from the brick veneer we started with to the three dimensional (3d) units, with sizes ranging from small to as big as you can set without mechanical assistance. By now we hope that you have seen the attached cut sheet and that it is pleasing to your senses.

We are grateful if you picked up and used the other five press releases. We would be even more grateful if we brought a smile to your face for at least a split second while reading them. We hope you visited either one of our booths or, even better, both of them – Western Quarry & ARTO BRICK.  Please drop us a line if you want to be included in future “breaking news” from us @ARTOBRICK.

ARTO Brick and Ca Pavers have been designing and manufacturing rustic elegance since 1966.  ARTO creates concrete products for walls, floors and hardscapes, and can be used for interior or exterior applications.

You Got Chocolate in My Peanut Butter

You Got Peanut Butter on My Chocolate

Who Carries Around a Jar of Peanut Butter

Long Beach, CA—Ken Mason Tile (KMT) is set to launch Village Line at Coverings 2012. The Village Line consists of ARTO’s signature rustic concrete tiles with KMT’s staining and waxing process.  Handmade tiles are stained (hand rubbed) which leaves the color predominantly in the recesses of each specific piece. His technique adds a generation of patina to the product and gives a protective coating as well.  The result is “two great tastes in one.”  If you are familiar with Ken Mason then you know this will be impressive.  If not, stop by his booth located at #2912.

The truly unique Village Line with its aged and reclaimed look is only available through KMT’s dealers, but will eventually flow through all of ARTO’s dealers this summer.  ARTO and KMT’s partnership is still in its infancy, but they have the same values when it comes to the handmade process.  No machine can replicate the human hand techniques of KMT and ARTO.

To see ARTO concrete tiles in the raw, please stop by booth #2813.

ARTO Brick and Ca Pavers have been designing and manufacturing rustic elegance since 1966. ARTO creates concrete products for walls, floors and hardscapes, and can be used for interior or exterior applications.

Edible Arabesque

Europe, Islam, Ballet, Debussy, Disco, Peck & Sophia Loren.
Searching for the Meaning

Gardena, CA—The word “arabesque” is as ambiguous as the tile shapes that we produce and call by that same name.  When ARTO started to create his “Arabesque,” he knew that he was inspired by Moorish, Celtic, Islamic, Spanish and M.C. Escher, but he did not know what to call them.

These shapes are not new.  They are ancient.  They are found in nature.  No one owns them. So he chose a name that was ambiguous as the shapes themselves.
www.learnersdictionary.com
ar·a·besque

1.        [count] : a complicated decorative design made with many lines that curve and cross each other

2.        : a ballet position in which the dancer stands on one foot and holds one arm forward while the other arm and leg are held out behind [count] ▪ The students practiced their arabesques.[noncount] ▪ She held her arms in arabesque.
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary

tes·sel·la·tion

1.        a : mosaic

b : a covering of an infinite geometric plane without gaps or overlaps by congruent plane figures of one type or a few types

2.        : an act of tessellating : the state of being tessellated
If you made it this far to the bottom…

Bring the Press Release to booth #2813 to pick up an arabesque-shaped boutique made TOFFEE, yum!
AND check out our tile in Arabesque shapes.

If you can not make it, for fun enjoy the links & videos below.

Wikipedia Arabesque (European Art)

IMDB

Arabesque -Friday Night Hit Disco 1978

Debussy, Arabesque #1, Piano Solo

Arabesque

Ballet Glossary – Arabesques

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Clay:

Love/Leather, The Milkman & Concrete

Gardena, CA—Adversity is said to be the mother of invention, the fire that transforms music, art & food. Arto Alajian, a designer born in Cairo, the son of Krikor, an Armenian refugee, began designing & literally cutting tanned leather from Milan. When revolution came to Egypt, he fled to Beirut where he worked for British Airways. When turmoil began there, he set his eyes on North America, landing in New York, Houston, British Columbia, and finally settling down in Venice, California. We are getting closer to tile, hold on.

In Los Angeles, Arto attended school for aviation mechanics, worked for the Adamson Family (of the famed Malibu home) at their Adohr Farms Dairy delivering milk. While starting his new life, he met Irene Berchtenbreiter, a ceramicist that was exhibiting with Peter Volkus & Paul Soldner. Irene made beautiful hand painted ceramic wall murals that were both one-dimensional and three-dimensional. Love & Art connected here as Arto studied to be a ceramicist and developed a thin wall tile that was extruded and unglazed to frame the murals. In 1966, Arto left the dairy and school and founded & produced ARTO BRICK VENEER.

Flash forward to the oil embargo in the early 1970’s; Arto is pushed from ceramic to concrete due to high energy costs. Producing first wall cladding and then floor tile made of concrete. The mother of invention brought to the market high value low cost hand made tile (produced since 1966) in Southern California employing 51 team members at two factories.

Now what?

Wait For it….

ARTO Brick and Ca Pavers have been designing and manufacturing rustic elegance since 1966.  ARTO creates concrete products for walls, floors and hardscapes, and can be used for interior or exterior applications.

Job Opportunity

(Concierge)(order desk) / AKA Director of First Impressions

Reports to COO

Supports Order Desk

Supports Shipping

The Work;
Answer Phones
Answer Questions Regarding Orders (Answers Available in NS). Answer Product & Price Questions (retail only) using ARTO websites. Direct calls to appropriate person or take message when no answers available on WEB or NESTUITE. Other methods available to respond with EMAIL & FAX

Enter Orders

Greet Visitors

General Office Organization

Aid with Mailings, Keep Copier Filled, Empty Shredder, Keep Coffee Maker Filled & Clean. As Needed to help in the office.

Skills/ Talents Needed
Multi Tasker
Tech Geek
People Person
Bilingual

Metric;
Send report to COO of your high point & low point of week.
Enter orders within 15 minutes of being sent

St. Patrick’s Day 2012

Happy St Patrick’s Day 2012.  What is so important about this day?

1. It is Arto Alajian’s 83rd Birthday.
2. It is the day we incorporated the company.
3. And it is the unofficial start of Spring and the building season.
4. Lastly, we not only are very appreciative of all our clients and distributors, we are very appreciative of ARTO and all the hardworking people that have dedicated their lives to him as he dedicated his life for us.

We share our picture because we want you to know us. We are genuine and sincere from good morning to start the day till the last piece is made and the last order goes out for the day, real like the sunrise and sunset.

Our employees embody hundreds of years of experience in each room of the factory.

Over the next few weeks our Dealer and Distributors will receive 4 items in the mail to celebrate and share.

First is a postcard of the ARTO Family.  We are a family literally and spiritually.  On the front is a picture taken on the last Friday of the 2011.  Here you can see how our family has grown with the addition of Western Quarry and our ARTO Tile Studio.

Second, you will all receive a Vintage Catalina Tile Deco, Made by Western Quarry and glazed by the ARTO Tile Studio.

Third, Candy.  Like our tiles we have commissioned a talented candy maker to handcraft, some of the best peanut brittle you will ever taste, in our new arabesque shapes.  Please share.

Forth, new products.  We are a design and manufacturing firm and continue to add more to an already expansive line of concrete and clay.

Thank you for being our partners and lets make 2012 a great year.

If you haven’t received any of the above items from us, drop us a line and well make sure you are able to share in the celebration.

NPCA article quick note

Howdy

Our art department will do a better job in a few days crafting the page but in the mean time enjoy this video.

Peace

Be Our Guest at Surfaces 2012

Be our guest at Surfaces 2012 in Fabulous Las Vegas January 24-26.  ARTO will be displaying a huge 10×20 booth featuring ARTO’s signature rustic concrete and clay tiles.  We will also be introducing Studio, hand painted cuerda seca tiles.   Visit Surfaces.com, register and use the Promo Code: BIEP.  If you don’t gamble you may come out ahead. 

A 23 year old tradition

Since I was 18 , 23 years ago now I have been coming in to ARTO on New Years Day.I come in for some corny reasons. I open the doors and turn on the water something about new air and water mostly hokum. But I do a few things that are not. I reflect, write, pray, look at the facts & set goals & a direction then pray again that I am not full of BS. Remembering that I do not know everything but preparing for everything, preparing for opportunities & drought.

Cigar Booze & Fear of the Lord

Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation

No need to add to this. All I can say is be grateful.

Proclamation of Thanksgiving

Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes

Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation

seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

ARTO on DIY’s Extra Yardage

Enjoy a nine minute video of ARTO highlights on the new hit DIY Series “Extra Yardage”.    The host Billy Derian is not only enjoyable to watch but has a vision for transforming dull backyards to livable spaces that inspire.  Of course those spaces  include plenty of ARTO.   You can see full versions of these episodes on the DIY network.

Filming has already begun on the next season and that’s right,  there will be plenty of beautiful ARTO tiles, bricks, Roman pavers, and precast to see.

Thanks for watching and feel free to leave a comment.

Timeless Artistic Tiles

Call it Arabesque.  Call it Celtic, Moorish, interlace, Islamic.  Modern?   Rustic?  Although the ideas, and these classic shapes, have been around for thousands of years ARTO has interpreted them in a new way.

Concrete.

Integrated colored concrete to be specific.

Arto has been creating brick, tile and precast in southern California since 1966 using colored concrete.  The result is the ability to produce any shape, color and style imaginable.

Which brings us back to Arabesque.  It’s not new.  But what you can do with it becomes new.  Be traditional or untraditional.  Be rustic and modern at the same time.  Add bold colors or muted tones.
If you can think it we can do it.

Arabesque Pattern 2b	Arabesque Pattern2c	Arabesque Pattern3
Arabesque Pattern 4	Arabesque Pattern 5b	Arabesque Pattern 8a
Arabesque Pattern 8b	Arabesque Pattern 8c	Arabesque Pattern 9a

See ARTO at the ASLA EXPO 2011

ARTO will be at the ASLA Expo 2011 in San Diego.  October 30th to November 2nd.  Come by Booth # 1939 and say “Hi”.  Enjoy free admission compliments of ARTO.  Just click on the flyer below to download a free pass.  Thanks and see you in San Diego!

“Friday Night” and Arabesque, Tiles for Walls and Floors

Friday Night Oh what a night!  ARTO has been working hard in the concrete lab to create 18 new Moorish inspired tiles.  Some incorporate shapes we already have like the 12×13 Big Felipe, 3×5 Diamond, and the Daisy form the Daisy Deco, While most are brand new.  Click on the thumbnails for larger picture!

While doing some research for Arabesque I ran across this group for 1978.  Any one know anything about them?

When I Think about it

When I think about it I see ARTO as a living organisim

A New Creation

Howdy

I am very excited about the new site that the ARTO art department put together in house. It reminds me of the old days of working with Dream Weaver and guessing how to put a site together not very pretty but boy did the personal touch work. The new site goes back to our roots yet still is a new creation.

Peace

Armen