Wiseman revisited and in conclusion

Hey
All three pours are done. Most of the participants have gone home either in Alaska or out of state. Last to leave was Donnie Keen and his Daughter Christy.

After the Kenai pour we took a couple of days off and just rested.Donnie started to get restless facing a long trip home. But we both felt we had one more thing to do. The monument for Wiseman was still in parts on the floor of my shop. Part of it was cast at Wiseman and the rest at the Wasilla pour. We got to work sandblasting and grinding until the monument was ready for the trip. We loaded it and all the tools we thought we would need and on Wednesday morning we headed back to Wiseman.

This time we drove straight through with only a quick stop at Fairbanks for food and fuel. About 15 hours later we were in Wiseman again. We checked in at the Arctic Getaway with Bernie and Uta. The next morning after a good breakfast of sourdough pancakes and eggs. We got busy with installing the monument.

The locals had approved the installation next to the flagpole at the community center. Using river water to mix concrete we made a base out of river rocks and set the first piece of the monument in place. Bernie and Uta along with their children Julia and Leo joined Kristen and Jack another local couple in participating in the assembly. We stacked the pieces filling them with concrete as we went until the last piece was installed.The completed monument is an obelisk about 6ft tall made up of sections stacked on each other. Butch Jack Professor at La Mar University in Beaumont Tx Designed the monument. The molds were made in Texas and hauled all the way to Wiseman in Donnie's truck.

In Wiseman the molds were opened and all the artists and local residents were invited to inscribe their own designs on the faces of the molds. When all the molds were inscribed the molds were closed for casting. The final result turned out wonderful. The monument is covered in designs both whimsical and classic.It truly reflects the personalties of the participants at the Pour. Photos will be added to the site asap.

Its hard to believe that its over. After a little more than a year of planning, a lot of work and some wondering what we had gotten ourselves into. We accomplished the goals we had set for ourselves. We poured Iron above the Arctic circle, Donnie and his group drove from Houston Texas to Wiseman Alaska a trip of approximately 4374 miles with stops at Clarenden Texas for a pour, and at Denver to participate in the Western cast Iron Conference.

While in Alaska we demonstrated that Iron could be poured successfully and Art could be created by an Ad Hoc group of artists, Professors and students. Not only above the arctic circle but across the state from north to south. All it takes is the desire and some ingenuity. It also takes a lot of work and effort. Iron seems to be a medium that attracts the kind of people who are passionate about their art and aren't afraid to get dirty making it.

There are so many people to thank for their help in making Iron Trail to the Arctic a successful and memorable event, from the residents of Wiseman who invited us to their beautiful village and showed so much hospitality. To the participants all who traveled long distances to join us in trying to accomplish something that had not been done in Alaska. To people who were unable to join us but were none the less crucial like Michael Cottrel who set up our website. Joe and Barbara Hettrick who were faithful and friendly supporters along the long road to Alaska and helped at every pour. Forrest Goodhue the photographer of all things Iron. Bruce Bush here in Alaska for use of forklifts and equipment. Carmen Summerfield and the Valley Arts Alliance for the organizing and promotion of the Art on Fire event. The sponsors who helped with materials and shipping.

Magic Metals Custom Fabricating Kenai AK

Keen Foundry Houston TX

Arctic Fires Bronze Sculptureworks Palmer AK

Bushes Bunches Palmer AK

A.B.C. coke Birmingham AL

City of Kenai Kenai AK

Spenard Builders Supply Kenai AK

Alaska Museum Transportation and Industry Wasilla AK

Ironpour.com


Again thanks to all who supported and participated in this adventure.
Whats next? Well Donnie and I were thinking....................