The Art of Reuse

For the seventh year running, American Iron, Minneapolis, has opened its scrap yard to area artists as part of its “Art of Recycling” Metal Sculpture Competition.

All of the sculptures in the competition are made from scrap metal from American Iron’s yard. Contestants are allowed one hour to select their raw materials from the yard and have five weeks to create their artwork.

Twenty-eight sculptures were entered this year, the largest weighing more than 300 pounds and standing 9-feet tall, the smallest weighing less than 2 pounds.

The company says it sponsors the event to promote recycling awareness and to support the local arts.

Entries were on display in downtown Minneapolis at Nicollet Mall July 17 and 18. The juried competition is held in conjunction with the Minneapolis Aquatennial celebration.

The winning artists in the large sculpture category were:

·        First Place, Ryan Slattery, Roll Me Away;        

·        Second Place, Kelly Ludeking, Insect 431.13; and

·        Third Place, Cheryl Fitzgerald, Urban Arrangement.

The winning artists in the small sculpture category were:

·        First Place, Rabi Santo, Mother Earth: What HaveYou Become?; and

·        Second & Third Place (tie), Dillon Allen, Bubo’s Unders, and Dirk DuBois, Mer Perilleux.

More information is available at www.scrappy.com.