Mesalands hosting iron pour course

Mesalands Community College is hosting its annual iron pour 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through March 10.

Thirty-five students from at least eight different states will be coming to participate in a one-week course to create sculptures and translate them into cast iron pieces of art.

"We have artists that not only return for the amazing facilities that Mesalands provides, but also for the hospitality and the exposure to the life in New Mexico that Tucumcari offers," said D'Jean Jawrunner, an art instructor at Mesalands. "We would like to welcome the community to come and participate and visit with our artists."

During the iron pour, there will be various events throughout the week that the community is encouraged to attend. There will be an Art Show in the College library Monday through March 9, with work from the 2011 iron pour and other student art.

A reception will be held 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday at the library.

A "Feeding the Starving Artists" event will be held 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, where community members are invited to bring a dish and have dinner with the artists. A slideshow will follow the dinner.

Opening ceremonies for the pouring of the cast iron begin noon Friday.