Jason Lempieri '94

Inspired by his time studying architecture and design at DIS, Jason began documenting the manhole covers or brønddæksels of Copenhagen. Using on-site rubbings and photography, each illustration is then hand-drawn and permanently etched into functional art such as coaster sets, trivets, magnets, and wall art. Painstakingly detailed, each illustration takes hours to produce, but the results are precise. Over 460 of the world's manhole covers have been drawn, with 16 from Denmark. All of the products are sustainably handmade in his Philadelphia studio. He hopes that Tombino inspires all to celebrate the art that is often overlooked, but always underfoot.