Making the mold

Artists and fine art students have begun creating their one-of-a-kind molds that will become works of art from the 20th annual Iron Pour at Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari.

More than 30 people were on hand for the first day of the iron pour festivities.

Each year this unique workshop brings together a variety of fine arts students who, throughout the week, work to create their molds out of sand and plaster. At the climax of the Iron Pour molten iron reaching 2,800 degrees is poured into the molds, transforming them into cast iron works of art.

"It is so exciting to see so many familiar faces," said D'Jean Jawrunner, event coordinator, faculty.

Jawrunner said the people who have returned to the event over the past 20 years have grown from colleagues, to friends, to family.

Returning for their third year to the iron pour are Bob and Sue Milton, Richardson, Texas.

Sue said she is continuing her work on creating pieces based off the book Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak. She said she began making the pieces three years ago in anticipation of the birth of her first grandchild.

"I'm going to make another train mold," said Bob Milton. "I'm also going to make a melted sundial piece."

Bob said he was very pleased with how the train sculpture he casted last year turned out. He said this year he wants to try a different approach to the train sculpture.

"My sculpture is called 'Mother,' it is based off a look that my sister gave my niece," said Jonathan Davis, of La Mesa Texas. "Its a combination of pride and concern."

Davis said this is his second year attending the event.

"It is always nice to meet up with family," Jawrunner said. "However, I see some new faces in the crowd and that is really exciting."

Jawrunner said when new people attend the event, there is a high chance they will be back and possibly bring friends.

"This year is a special year, not only are we celebrating 20 years of the event, we are celebrating the renovations of the foundry building," said Thomas Newsom, Mesalands President.

Newsom said this year's event got even more publicity from a recent article in the New Mexico True Magazine.

"One man read the article on Friday, called and signed up and arrived here on Sunday," Jawrunner said.

Jawrunner said she encourages the public to come out and meet the artists and witness their work come to life.

Wednesday

• 6:30 p.m., Art Show, Slide show "20 Years of Iron" Great Room, Mesalands

Thursday

• 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., Meet the Iron Pour Artist, Foundry Building, Mesalands

Friday

• Noon, Building Dedication, Opening Ceremony, Foundry Building, Mesalands