Iron Pour to Heat Up Bluegrass Again
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 2, 2009) - The Bluegrass will heat up again this November as the University of Kentucky Department of Art hosts its 17th annual Iron Pour. The event that begins at noon Saturday, Nov. 7, at the metal arts studio at Reynolds Building Number 2, is the highlight of festivities scheduled for two weeks celebrating the metal arts program at UK. Other festivities scheduled in conjunction with the iron pour are mold-making workshops, iron patina workshops, lectures, and an iron art exhibition.
UK programming showcasing the university's metal arts programs begins with mold-making workshops that run Nov. 2-6. The first lecture, "The UK Sculpture Connection: Iron Bridge, England Iron Pours and Poland Iron Pours," will be presented by Jim Wade, UK sculpture and foundations lecturer; Gerry Masse, founder of Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum, Solsberry, Ind.; and Melissa Van Sandt, a UK master's student in sculpture, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, in the research room at the metal arts studio. Also an iron art exhibition will open in celebration of the metal arts. The exhibit will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 5-7, in the Barnhart Gallery in Reynolds Building Number 1. A closing reception will be held for the exhibit from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. The lecture, exhibit and workshops are free and open to the public.
The iron pour takes center stage starting at noon Nov. 7, in the open air metal arts studio located at Reynolds Building Number 2, also known as the Metal Arts Building on the UK campus. The event, demonstrating the most dramatic part of the metal-casting process, attracts a national audience of artists, students, and art enthusiasts alike, with past attendees coming from as far as New Mexico to take part in the event. Many artists turn out for the event to finish pieces of their work. It is $40 to produce a mold measuring 100 pounds maximum plus 30 pounds of metal and $20 per mold brought to pour plus 30 pounds of metal at the iron pour.
“We host this national caliber event to share the experience of an iron pour so audience members may take the practice and experience back and apply it for themselves in their schools or communities,” said Garry Bibbs, associate professor of art.
The iron pour is as exciting for professionals as it is for novices. Art students from other disciplines and community residents can purchase a scratch block for $10 to $15 and leave with his or her own piece of art. The unique opportunity allows individuals to test their talents by etching an image in the resin tablets, having graphite applied and taking part in the iron pour. Additionally, t-shirts and food will be on sale at the iron pour from the Scrap Student Sculpture Club at UK.
The second week of festivities will center around activities with visiting artist David Lobdell, associate professor of sculpture at New Mexico Highlands University. During his residency at UK, Lobdell will present iron patina workshops and an arts profession lecture. The lecture on his career in metal arts, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for noon Friday, Nov. 13, 118 White Hall Classroom Building. The lecture is free and open to the public.
A 1982 graduate of Notre Dame University, Lobdell has established a noteworthy record as an artist, exhibiting his work throughout the U.S. and Europe. In 2006, his teaching garnered him a Professor of the Year Award at his home institution. He has done many artist residencies at such institutions, programs and organizations as Franconia Sculpture Park, in Shafer, Minn.; the Scottish Sculpture Workshop, at Lumsden, Scotland; and Sloss Furnaces, in Birmingham, Ala.
To find out more about any of the events presented with UK's 17th annual Iron Pour, contact Garry Bibbs by phone at (859) 257-3719 or e-mail to garry.bibb@uky.edu.