Tommy Allen, 2010

Welcome to my website which is actually more of a portal to the many lives I live.

Each section seeks to highlight an area of my life with a few images and a supportive link or two.

In the coming months as I add more content, each area will transport you to interesting worlds on the web.

But for now, enjoy the organized simplicity of a very full life.

Man Is Water, 16

Water is a major theme that runs through my work not only in the subject matter but is often a vital element of the process in creating my art.

Here are a few examples of my current work available at The Nines Gallery of Holland.

Also included an image of mine from the Pollie Award Winning Campaign for HealingOurWaters.org (now renamed HealthyLakes.org)

Tommy Allen is a member of Grand Rapids oldest open arts space, Tanglefoot Studio, which celebrates 20 years in 2010.

Pollie Award Winning Campaign, 2005

Rapid Growth Media's Tommy Allen

Over the past 15 years I’ve written for various publications about the West Michigan creative class and the changing landscape of this region.

In 2008 RapidGrowthMedia.com requested I create something unique for its weekly web-based magazine and a few weeks later I became the Lifestyle Editor and creator of G-Sync – an eclectic selection of events with a weekly editorial column.

"World Cup via Grand Rapids"

Movement by Terry Johnston

In 2006 after years of special event work, I accepted a marketing and sales director position at Levitation Staging.

Levitation has been in event staging business for over 20 years.

When I came on board I began to expand the company’s image within the event professional marketplace by updating their photo archive with an artistic touch, enacted greener practices in the marketing and helped create a much more expansive mission statement.

While Levitation is in the business of the  ”temporary transformation of space” I am most proud of our new catch phrase that really sums up our mission, “setting the stage for you.”

At Google Fiber Meeting

After Northwest Times / Shore Magazine’s Editor Pat Colander named me “Best Person to Follow Online” for my work with the arts and the event company, Levitation, I decided it was time to monetize what I create on Facebook and Twitter.

In 2010 after the successful launch of the Google Fiber 4 Grand Rapids campaign resulting in nearly 40,000 fans, I huddled with a team of professionals to strategize a fresh approach for launching products and concepts via social media platforms.

While the venture is still small, the accomplishments have been huge thus far for our clients.

Be A Giving Heart.

It is good and vital to give back to your community.  Volunteering is truly one of the great joys of my life.

These are just a few of the projects I have or are currently serving on in my community.

• Google Fiber for Grand Rapids, Steering Committee Member, 2010
• City of Grand Rapids: Service Application Advisors (SAA), Mayor Appointment, (2010 – Present)
• West Michigan Center for Arts and Technologies, Capital Campaign Member (2009-2010)
• Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Various Committees / Current project: Capital Campaign Member (since 1987)
• City of Grand Rapids: Green Grand Rapids, Mayor Appointment, 2nd Ward Representative, (2008 – 2010)
• Creston Neighborhood Association, Board of Directors, Community Elected (2002 – 2010 Fall)
• Hello,Neighbor – Creston Neighborhood Association Marketing Program (June 2007 – Present)
• Habitat for Humanity (2007 – Present)
• League of Women Voters GR (2008)
• Local Officers Compensation Commission (City Appointment, Serving 2nd Term)
• Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Parks Commission, Mayor Appointment, (2006-2007)
• Creston Corridor Committee, Neighborhood Business Improvement, (2002 – 2004)
• Grand Rapids Public Schools (On Going Since 1997)

Also,  feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn