In the Main Galleries
July 14, 2010 through December 31, 2010

Congratulations to the winners of the 2010 InnovationErie Competition.

Grand Prize winner: Dr. Paul Malaspina, Pedi Pro
1st: Ryan Rzepecki, Social Bike System
2nd: John Bartone Sr., Joanne Bartone,
  James  Bartone, and Carmen Dawson, Eco Clip
3rd: Marni Loesel- Built-in Bottle Opener

InnovationErie returns to the Erie Art Museum this summer. A celebration of new ideas, the competition provides local innovators with an outlet to propose and display their concepts. The winning product designs will be chosen based on usefulness, aesthetically pleasing design and originality. The designs also must be able to be manufactured within the Erie region.

Semi-finalists’ entries will be on display at the Museum from July 14 until October 31, 2010. Prizes include a grand prize award valued at $10,000, a “Best in Show” award (chosen by popular ballots submitted during the exhibition) and three first place prizes. All prizes are meant to encourage inventors to bring their ideas to fruition; winners receive professional advice on intellectual property law, prototyping, design development, marketing, and other aspects of product development. The competition is organized by a group of volunteers under the name SAM & ED (Science, Art, Manufacturing, Engineering, Design), a regional, unincorporated collaborative to encourage interdisciplinary initiatives. For more infomation go to www.innovationerie.net

Spnsors include: Erie Technology Incubator–Gannon University, Edinboro University–Start-Up Incubator, McDonald Illig Jones & Britton LLP, Paradign Designs, Erie Bank, The Innovation Center at Penn State Erie – The Behrend College.

Next years deadline will be May 11, 2011 - start inventing!