Win a BICAS pendant at Beer for Bikes on August 15th, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

The Legacy of
A Nice World and BICAS

The sun is high and dazzling as Jill Hofer, creator of A Nice World, steps over the threshold of the BICAS shop.

The date is Thursday, March 28th, 2024, and her visit marks a significant milestone: ten years of collaboration between her philanthropic jewelry line A Nice World and BICAS. We’re celebrating of all that time of profound community impact she has worked to empower, in our mission of bicycle accessibility for all. This year, the pendants first crafted ten years ago will be prizes in the Beer for Bikes fundraiser at Dragoon Brewing Co on August 15th, generating more funds for BICAS’ community-driven programs.

At the glass counter, Jill drops off a package of A Nice World’s latest creations. Each silver-plated amulet is crafted into round disks the size of coins. The word “BICAS” is etched in delicate shapes of bicycle tools and rims, a small heart adorning the center of the “C.” The finely textured surface of the silver showcases masterful craftsmanship, inspired by the asphalt mosaic at the old BICAS location. To my eyes, the textured silver evokes the surface of the tools in our shop, capturing the exact essence of our Community Tools program that so many rely on every day to maintain their bikes.

As natural light continues to filter in through the gate, casting that brilliant effect with the glass art case, the amulets are radiant. Some are crafted into keychains; others on necklaces on silver chains of 16” and 18” to rest gracefully near one’s heart. As Jill departs the shop on this Sonoran Spring Thursday, she leaves us with some words on the unified power of between A Nice World and BICAS.

This potent partnership traces its roots back to 2014, when Jill Hofer invited BICAS to collaborate with A Nice World on a custom fundraiser piece. “Incredibly inspired by BICAS, I sculpted an homage of the art on the walkway into BICAS at the original location at the Citizens Warehouse,” Jill recalls. “This art used metal bike parts pressed into the asphalt to spell the word ‘BICAS’ in such a creative, artful concept. The image truly conveyed the spirit of BICAS in so many ways and I knew I had to honor it with fundraiser jewelry.”

Since its founding in the late 1990s, A Nice World has been a powerful force for positive change in many areas within the Tucson community. Through the philanthropic jewelry line, Jill has continually channeled her support into causes that are important to her. “For example, I sculpted Braille jewelry to help prevent blindness, bee jewelry to benefit pollinators, etcetera.” she explains.

Countless hours of dedication and craftsmanship went into creating this specific, iconic design, which now adorns necklaces, earrings, and even serves as the profile picture for BICAS’s Instagram account. “I sculpted the original, commissioned the molds and cast the design in a variety of bronze tones and sterling silver,” she recalls. “These were donated and well received as fundraisers, thank you gifts and in the shop. Later, thanks to brainstorming with the BICAS leadership, the idea for the smaller, lighter design was born.”

Inspired once more by the asphalt art at the old location, Jill donated this newer design after meticulously sculpting and molding an initial run of samples. This iteration was cast in bronze, silver, and ultra-light silver plating. With the lightweight design proving popular, BICAS placed an order for additional castings. A Nice World then transformed these into earrings, jewelry, and small keychains, offering a complimentary collection alongside the original, larger pieces.

A Nice World’s generous donations, through Jill’s unwavering support, have consistently kept BICAS’ wheels turning. It’s easy to admire the ways she has encapsulated the BICAS spirit, of expanding accessibility to bicycles and to the arts.

Today, we’ll zoom back to the present, where these new, donated amulets will be given to participants in the 2024 Beer for Bikes fundraiser held on August 15th. With a $20 admission, participants will receive either a keychain or necklace with this iconic pendant, along with a drink ticket, a BICAS sticker, shop credit, and discounts on BICAS art sold at the event. The evening will also feature prize games, a cash raffle, and brand-new BICAS art and merchandise. Muncheez will be offering a variety of delicious meals and snacks.

Beer For Bikes will be held on Thursday, AUGUST 15th, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM, at Dragoon Brewery. Learn more about A Nice World at their website and instagram page.