This week’s meet the artists poses an interesting question about iron pouring and community events. See below to meet the artists.
“What does the Liberty Arts Iron Pour (and events like it) mean to you as an artist/educator/creative?”
Alan Shelton…
Through the iron pours I have attended over the past ten years, I have found a community of people I admire and want to support in their efforts to sustain an inclusive environment for sculptural artists. I learn so much from participating and see ways to contribute to the iron community's progress and preservation. Any successful iron artworks that I have created are rooted in the knowledge that that community passes along.
About
Alan is the founder of Mixxer Community Makerspace in Winston-Salem, NC. As a multi-media artist, Alan often creates one-off architectural and ornamental works for clients in the South-Eastern United States. Most of Alan's work is grounded in metal fabrication and casting. Alan works to help the iron sculpture community pass on the vast amount of knowledge of the iron casting process.
Viktoria Banovic…
The Liberty Arts Iron Pour, along with other similar events, serves as an opportunity for me to engage deeply with a tight-knit community of artists. On the pour floor, we foster a collaborative spirit, supporting one another regardless of whether one is an experienced or new caster.
About
Viktoria Banovic is a sculptor who works with metals like steel, iron, bronze, and aluminum to create both figurative and abstract sculptures. Drawing from personal experiences and identity, She explores the interplay between the body and art, inviting viewers to reflect on transformation and self-understanding.
Waylon Bigsby…
Iron casting is certainly a mainstay of my creative process, but I regard it with great importance in that it is a preservation of a craft. As educator and artist I believe that the continuation of processes such as this is a form of stewardship - learning from time-honored traditions of the past to inform and teach contemporary ideas.
About
Waylon Bigsby is a studio artist and arts educator based in Greenville, South Carolina. He holds a BFA from East Carolina University and an MFA from the University of Kentucky. Waylon has both served on the steering committee and taught workshops for the National Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art - and also currently teaches at Furman University, Brevard College, and Wofford College. His work is exhibited nationally and is privately collected. Waylon has held resident artist and facilitator positions with multiple organizations – including Amuneal Philadelphia and the Imagillaboration Collaboration Project - bringing eclectic applications of sculptural processes to the classroom experience. His work deals with themes regarding the importance - within a technologically escalating culture - that humanity remain connected with the past through greater understanding, appreciation, and knowledge of traditional materials and processes.
Jonathan Reed
Iron pours are mean a lot to me as a source of experience, education, opportunities, connections, and most importantly community. Through iron pours I have been able to make great connections with other artists and grow with them as artists and friends. This sense of community inspires and encourages me to continue in my artistic career which allows me to better my work and make these important relationships.
About
My name is Jonathan Reed and I am studying Sculpture and Ceramics at UNCG. I am originally from Greensboro and North Carolina’s culture and history has always been a huge influence on my art and who I am. Metal casting/working is my currently my primary art-form and I plan on continuing with metal working for as long as I can.
Claire Lewis…
The collaboration and teamwork needed to bring everyone's work to life gives a great sense of community which is so amazing to see as an artist.
About
I am a sculpture student in my senior year at UNCG. While I am first and foremost a fiber artist, I have really been enjoying exploring the ways I can use both fiber and metal in my pieces, and look forward to learning more about casting in the future.
Myles Wilder…
The Liberty Arts Iron Pour gives me hope in the community that artists and sculptors have built for themselves. I am always learning and growing as an artist, and I love it when I am able to do so with others on the same journey as me. Maybe with different intentions, but having this space to interact with each other and work hands-on with one another is special to me.
About
I am a multimedia artist mainly using painting and sculpture to explore themes dealing with the human experience.
Constantine Kerasilis…
The Liberty Arts Iron Pour gives me hope in the community that artists and sculptors have built for themselves. I am always learning and growing as an artist, and I love it when I am able to do so with others on the same journey as me. Maybe with different intentions, but having this space to interact with each other and work hands-on with one another is special to me.
About
I am a multimedia artist who started my journey into metal sculpture this year. I love to marry different mediums, between printmaking, drawing, painting, sculpture, and photography. I find my vision fulfilled when there are no boundaries.
About Iron Pour
Every November since 2016, Liberty Arts has hosted a free public arts expereince in Durham Central Park. More than 3,000 attendees are expected to watch teams of artists operate three furnaces that heat thousands of pounds of iron to unfathomable temperatures. Throughout the evening, pour masters, from UNCG, WNCSC and Durham Tech will create iron tiles designed during the scratch block workshops and sculptures made by various NC artists.
Breaking Iron
Are you interested in supporting Liberty Arts, connecting with the community and releasing frustration in a fun way? If so, we are looking for volunteers! There are many ways that your support can contribute to this year’s 8th Annual Iron Pour experience. One exciting way is to join us every Thursday to break down iron, if you are interested, please visit us at Liberty Arts Support.
Admission To Iron Pour
Iron Pour is free and open to the public, though we highly encourage visitors to reserve an e-ticket through Event Brite. There is also plenty of free parking spaces available
8th Annual Iron Pour
Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 4:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Durham Central Park
Liberty Arts
Liberty Arts was founded in 2001, as a non-profit corporation dedicated to making art accessible to everyone. Our collective of artists have made some of the most iconic sculptures in Durham, the roster includes Major, the bronze bull who stands proudly at Durham’s Civic Plaza, who was created by Liberty Arts co-founder Mike Waller.
Liberty Arts believes that art practices, creative collaborations, and sustainable partnerships contributes to the overall well-being and fosters strong community connections in Durham and throughout The Triangle.
The Annual Iron Pour is our largest fundraising event, and your contribution allows us to provide year-round art education programming and exciting and free community events.