West End Artists and Community Turn Out for the 3rd Annual Iron Pour...
The third annual West End Arts and Fort Road Federation sponsored Iron Pour took place last Saturday, September 11. The day capped many hours of preparation by sponsors, coordinators and the neighborhood artists who collaborated on this popular neighborhood annual event. We use the term “artists” with pride and encouragement as most of the contributors were our West End neighbors—families with young children as well as us “mature” creative types who enjoy dabbling in new art mediums.
We were fortunate to have a balmy September evening for the gathering, perfect for lingering with friends around a hot crucible of molten iron.
Expansive “ahhs” and curious “ohhs” were heard in between sets of Dave Thune's rock & roll group, "The Back Seat Boogey Band." The event drew a crowd from the neighborhood, as well as visitors passing by who came to check out the whoopla at the old Schmidt Brewery on West Seventh Street.
Many of our creative friends and neighbors took advantage of the 3rd annual iron pour to create a piece of art that will outlast them by hundreds of years. Sand molds were laid out on 6-foot benches etched with images of birds, sunflowers, Celtic designs, names, and even home addresses. The iron poured several times during the evening completing the cracks and crevices of the tile molds.
These annual iron pours are becoming a Fall tradition in the West Seventh neighborhood. Check back on with the West End Arts blog for information on other West End Arts events throughout the year.
Submitted by Kelly Jones Hicks
