February 22, 2016
Last year Mesalands Community College students poured 4,000 pounds of iron in only two and a half hours, setting a record for the fastest iron pour at the College.
Mesalands Community College will have their 18th Annual Iron Pour on March 6-12, 2016, from 9 am-9 pm. Approximately 40 students from across the nation will be participating in this year’s event. During this one-week course, students create sculptures and translate them into cast iron pieces of art at the Mesalands foundry.
“This Iron Pour has welded together a community both from our local citizens and from our students who come every year because they feel a part of Mesalands, the iron pour experience, and the community,” said D’Jean Jawrunner, Fine Arts Faculty at Mesalands and the creator of the College’s Iron Pour. “Without the local support of our community, providing sand, meeting our students and being warm and friendly, there would not be the spirit and the desire to come back year after year.”
The community is encouraged to participate in the various activities scheduled throughout the week, in celebration the 18th Annual Iron Pour:
On Tuesday, March 8 there will be an Art Show and Slideshow. The Art Show will be held in the Mesalands Great Room at 6:30 pm. A slideshow of artists work will follow. Sculptures created by students during prior iron pours will be on display throughout the week in the Library.
Wednesday, March 9 there will be Movie Night starting at 8:30 pm at the Historic Odeon Theater. There will be a special screening of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Must be 18 years of age or older, or accompanied by a parent. Free admission for Mesalands students with a College ID.
The furnace named ‘Peechy Keen’ from the Keen Foundry in Houston, TX returns to the Mesalands Community College Iron Pour this year.
On Thursday, March 10 you can meet the Iron Pour artists from 2-4 pm in the foundry. Free popcorn and drinks will be served. Community members will also have the chance to create their own custom iron tiles for $20. Proceeds will benefit the Hot Metal Club at Mesalands. The tiles will be poured on Friday.
On Friday, March 11 the opening ceremonies for the pour will begin at 12 pm in the foundry. Also, the “Art of the Rat Rod” Car Show will be provided by Tucumcari’s Team Cutters Car Club, starting at 12 pm throughout the pour in the North American Wind Research and Training Center Bay.
Community members should be advised that the furnace ‘Peechy Keen’ from the Keen Foundry in Houston, TX will be returning this year. Therefore, be prepared for another quick and exciting pour. During last year’s iron pour, students poured 4,000 pounds of iron in only two and a half hours. This was the fastest iron pour in the history of the program at Mesalands.
