BLACKARD GROUP > ADRIATICA > NEWS FROM THE VILLAGE > THE PROMISE

This web page is your source of information on progress of the "The Promise" in Adriatica at Stonebridge Ranch. Email your questions to info@blackard.net then check back regularly to the "Residents Questions" for your answer. Visit our newest page listing links to the Friends and Partners of Adriatica. Please visit their web pages and learn about them.

April 12, 2007 - Work continues on the "Promise". When you come see it first hand, the features are readily apparent.

March 6, 2006 - Today we systematically removed a piece of stone that weighs almost 1,000 pounds. We didn't want to crash the stone into the bowl, so with the help of Claudio Solano, they used a forklift to lower the piece to the ground. This stone could be used somewhere else on the project.

March 3, 2006 - In these pictures, you can see the top of the wings and the beginnings of the neck. We are "within 1/4 inch of the final texture". Everyday people are stopping to watch as carving continues towards the unveiling of the hidden treasure that lays within the stone.

February 1, 2006 -

January 31, 2006 - The smaller rectangle at the very top of the first two pictures weighs about 1,500 lbs. These pieces will be relocated to other parts of the project for smaller carvings. Just think, as you walk through the Village of Adriatica, you will see original works of art placed throughout the community. Nnow that we have the "waste" removed from the very top of the stone, we will start giving a rough shape to the head of the dove. Check back as we try to catch the dove begin to emerge..

January 31, 2006 - These few pictures are a little bit out of order. These were actually taken on December 23, 2005. We spent the entire day stacking the 21, seven ton rectangles of Indiana Limestone.

January 26, 2005 - Work continues. Today we learned how hard a 250lb block of stone can hit when it falls about 20'. "I felt the vibration all the way up here". It is a reminder that while "The Promise" will become a great piece of art, it is still under construction and can be very dangerous. More than half of the top two stones have been removed.

January 24, 2006 - We began carving today on the 147 ton statue. The first picture shows him contemplating the enormity of this project. "I guess there is nothing standing between me and starting to carve" By the time I am finished, about 30% of the existing stone will be removed".

January 18, 2006 - Everyone who is following the progress of Adriatica knows this will be a dificult project but everyone will enjoy our center piece - "The Promise". With the high winds and biting temperatures lately, As Jeff Blackard was overseeing the construction of two enclosures designed to hide the green / gray commercial dumpster that every business must have, he asked the carver "to do what he could". The pictures below show the enclosure located behind the Retail Center. The hand carved figures face the drive through lane of the coffee shop. Can Anyone guess what "Smece" means in Croatian? This is simply a reflection of the Blackard Group's focus on authenticity, visual aesthetics and quality.

January 5, 2006 - We would like to thank Dan Hoff, Cindie Miller, both of whom are Stonebridge Ranch residents, Jim Young, Director of Operations for the McKinney Economic Development Council, Roy Renzenbrink, Director of Fine Arts for the McKinney Independent School District for participating in the Commissioning Ceremonies. Each learned first hand from the carver what it takes to chip stone.

Don't forget to stop by and watch. We are carving the 147 tons of stone into a 16' tall fountain named "The Promise". We will spend the next 6 to 8 months carving the fountain by hand. The fountain was officially commissioned on January 5, 2006 but we will actually begin work around Mid January, 2006.

Within the next 30 days, a viewing bench will be placed across the street so residents can watch our carver "attack" the stone. Please remember, working with 147 tons of stone, stacked 21' high, is dangerous and requires 100% of his concentration, please refrain from distracting him.