Steampunk art cars, Burning Man creations, and more at the holiday festival in Vallejo
Staff Report | Dec 8, 2022
Drizzly weather wasn’t enough to keep Steampunk Santa from his appointed rounds as the Mad Hatter Holiday Festival returned to Vallejo, California on Dec. 3. As before, the centerpiece was a parade through the city’s downtown.
A celebration of “the steampunk world that’s based here in Vallejo,” said the former mayor
Staff Report | Aug 2, 2022
The Obtainium Cup rally returned to Vallejo, California, featuring hand-built art cars and other vehicles that navigated an obstacle course consisting of Alice in Wonderland characters, battle robots, flying monkeys, and ravenous zombies.
Staff Report | Jun 9, 2022
Tours will be available every other Sunday at the Haul’s new temporary location in Vallejo, California. Obtainium Works, which created the steampunk icon, also revealed new details about this year’s Obtainium Cup Rally.
Highlights included projects from Obtainium Works, Prof. Flockmocker, and many others
Staff Report | Mar 28, 2022
Steampunk art took center stage at the 2022 Clockwork Alchemy convention, which featured a “Marvelous Makers” theme along with special guests Shannon and Kathy O’Hare from Obtainium Works.
Staff Report | Mar 22, 2022
Though some steampunk fans have described the Haul as a “steampunk RV,” it was not designed to be habitable for overnight stays. That’s about to change as Obtainium Works plans to spend the next two years converting it into a tiny home.
Staff Report | Mar 14, 2022
Two years ago, Clockwork Alchemy was one of the first steampunk events to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Now it’s back this weekend with many of the same special guests who were slated for 2020.
The Mad Hatter Holiday Festival and Parade returns to the Northern California city
Staff Report | Dec 8, 2021
Fire-spewing mechanical creatures might seem a better fit for Halloween than a Winter holiday celebration, but no one seemed to mind as the Mad Hatter Holiday Festival and Parade returned Dec. 4 to Vallejo, California after a one-year hiatus.
Staff Report | Dec 1, 2021
After a year “down the rabbit hole,” the event returns Saturday to downtown Vallejo, California, featuring the steampunk-inspired art cars of Obtainium Works along with projects by other artists.
Staff Report | Aug 26, 2021
Steampunk is all about alternate histories, and Obtainium Works had fun with the concept on their brand-new YouTube channel. One video shows how they disassemble the Neverwas Haul. Another is from an alternate reality.
Staff Report | Aug 4, 2021
Gallery: The Neverwas Haul, one of the most celebrated steampunk creations, has undergone a restoration and has a new temporary home in Vallejo, Calif. The self-propelled Victorian house will be open for tours at least through late November.
Staff Report | Jun 11, 2021
The organizers of Clockwork Alchemy have posted the schedule and other details for Transmissions from the Aether, which takes place Saturday and Sunday. It will feature a mix of live sessions on Zoom and pre-recorded presentations on Twitch.
Once again, whimsical art cars took to the streets of downtown Vallejo for the annual holiday fest
Staff Report | Dec 18, 2019
Bay Area steampunk fans got a taste of Burning Man as the Mad Hatter Holiday Festival and Parade returned to Vallejo, California. The event featured a procession of wacky art cars along with pyrotechnic sculptures and kinetic art.
Obtainium Works leader Shannon O’Hare shared his wisdom at an August event in Vallejo
By Stephen Beale | Aug 25, 2019
Steampunk fans in the San Francisco area received a master class in “How to Make an Art Car” during a presentation Aug. 3 at the Obtainium Works studio in Vallejo, California. They were joined by a group of engineering students from China.
A family airship, steampunk flying saucer and other artistic vehicles take to the streets
Staff Report | Jul 29, 2019
Photo Gallery: A wacky fleet of hand-built “sculptural vehicles” navigated an equally wacky obstacle course for the 8th Annual Obtainium Cup Contraptor’s Rally, held Sunday, July 28 on Mare Island in Vallejo, California.
The art group’s in-house photographer shares his images from Burning Man and other events
Photos by Stephen Jacobson | Jul 24, 2019
Obtainium Works is one of the premier art groups in the steampunk world. If you attend an event where they have a presence, chances are that you’ll see Stephen Jacobson with camera in hand. Here’s a look at some of his photos.
Staff Report | Jul 12, 2019
Northern California fashion designer Judi Morales discovered steampunk at Burning Man. That led her to Obtanium Works in Vallejo and the Neverwas Haul
Maker Faire Bay Area once again offers a visual feast, but financial woes could spell its demise
By Stephen Beale | May 21, 2019
Tens of thousands braved rainy weather for Maker Faire Bay Area, a festival of DIY ingenuity that’s been dubbed the “Greatest Show and Tell on Earth.” It was a showcase for a wide range of creative projects, including many with steampunk appeal.
Obtainium Works, steam engines, Burning Man projects and more at Maker Faire Bay Area
Staff Report | May 13, 2019
The world’s largest Maker Faire returns May 17-19 to the San Francisco Bay Area, offering a showcase for DIY invention and creativity in categories that include kinetic art, cosplay, robotics, 3D printing, vehicles, woodworking, needlecraft, and more.
Obtainium Works celebrated its seventh anniversary with an art car exhibition in Vallejo
Staff Report | Mar 20, 2019
Imagine an auto showroom run by the Mad Hatter, and that will give you an idea of the scene inside the Temple Art Lofts Gallery in Vallejo, California, where the Victorian fantasy explorers of Obtainium Works have set up shop.
The steampunk-infused arts organization kicks off the year with a three-week exhibition
Staff Report | Feb 27, 2019
The tinkerers and “steam bohemians” of Obtainium Works will celebrate the group’s 7th anniversary with an exhibition slated for March 8-24 at the Temple Arts Loft Gallery in Vallejo, California. Many of the group’s art cars will be on display.
This whimsical parade is a holiday tradition in Vallejo, California, home of Obtainium Works
Staff Report | Dec 3, 2018
A “SteamPunk Santa” and his spiffy new sleigh were among the highlights of the 9th annual Mad Hatter Holiday Parade, held on Saturday, Dec. 1 in Vallejo, California. It was a holiday celebration like no other.
Staff Report | Nov 23, 2018
The “Rudolph 5000” was designed by Shannon O’Hare of Obtainium Works. Thomas Bilbo, aka the Steampunk Santa, plans to ride it in the city’s Mad Hatter Parade.
Bay Area steampunks explore the whimsical contraptions of “New Hibernia”
Staff Report | Aug 28, 2018
Photo Gallery: Obtainium Works leader Shannon O’Hare offered a behind-the-scenes look at the organization’s art cars and mutant vehicles during an August “Midsummer Night” steampunk gathering in Vallejo, California.
Staff Report | Aug 10, 2018
Jay Leno went steampunk in the latest episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage” on CNBC. He was joined by Doc Phineas, along with chap hop artist Poplock Holmes, Kathy and Shannon O’Hare of Obtainium Works, and designers Kimric Smythe and Baron Margo.
Steampunks gather in Vallejo, California for the 7th Annual Obtainium Cup Contraptor’s Rally
Staff Report | Jul 23, 2018
Photo Gallery: A wacky fleet of mobile contraptions braved zombies, robots, flying monkeys and Alice in Wonderland characters as the 7th Annual Obtainium Cup Contraptor’s Rally took place July 22 in Vallejo, California.
