Upward of 400 artisans, flatwork contractors, ready mixed producers and material dealers or suppliers assembled last month in central Illinois for the Decorative Concrete Fair. Solomon Colors Inc. staged the three-day event near its Springfield headquarters, packing the schedule with demonstrations of namesake and Brickform pigments, stains, stamps and other products involving staff and widely regarded craftsmen; business sessions conducted by industry experts and leading decorative concrete finishing technique trainers; plus, tours of its production and packaging facility. Concrete Products joined the crowd.
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| The Concrete Decor Roadshow trailer harbored Brickform dye and stain demonstrations at the hands of artisan Rachel Knigge-Bruce. Decorative Concrete Fair attendees could also see firsthand production of Brickform materials and urethane stamps at Solomon Colors nearby flagship plant. |
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| The event dovetailed the company’s 90th anniversary observances, indicated here in a 1927 Chevy LM Capitol Truck that was restored in 2015 and resembles workhorses the original Solomon Grinding Service deployed in black carbonaceous slate hauling from Illinois coal mines. PHOTOS: Concrete Products |
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| Armed with Brickform Blush Tone Acid Stain and Pro-Dye Plus, flatwork aces Bob and Lee Ann Harris interpreted geometric forms. |
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| Lincolnland Concrete delivered integrally colored mixes for a 15- x 30-ft. slab on which Patterned Concrete’s Mike Archambault and Paul Schneider deployed Brickform Textures stamps, Antique and Liquid Release agents plus Solomon pigments. |