National Iron
National Iron
Missoula Art Museum (MAM)
May 6 – August 29, 2010
This national exhibition of cast iron art is sponsored by the Western Cast Iron Art Alliance (WCIAA) and the Missoula Art Museum. The opening will coincide with the WCIAA Conference – held in Missoula for the first time, May 6-11, 2010. The exhibition serves as a survey of the diverse national collection of artwork made in the medium of cast iron. Accepted works included in the exhibition will be featured in the Aresty Gallery May through August. The exhibition jurors included Stephen Glueckert, Curator of Exhibitions, Missoula Art Museum and David Lobdell, Professor of Art, New Mexico Highlands University. Both will be available to discuss the exhibition and selections on First Friday, May 7.
Cast iron has a tradition richly associated with utilitarian and industrial use. Everything from man-hole covers to machinery gears and automobile parts to weaponry has been created using this medium. More recently, contemporary artists have pushed the medium to show its versatility in expressive terms. In addition to the juried exhibition, conference participants will pour castings on Thursday, May 6. The resulting works will be shown and celebrated one night only: First Friday May 7.
Community members wishing to attend and participate in the conference and attend the educational workshops and panel discussions can access online registration at WCIAA.org.