Hundreds flock to TD to pound steel for public art today, April 23
Locals get a unique opportunity to forge public art this weekend, Fri. - Sun.
From Scott Stephenson, Executive Director of The Dalles Art Center:
Join me and other supporters of The Dalles Art Center in helping our fellow residents be part of creating a public sculpture on the SW corner of Second and Washington St, The Dalles.
Some 250 people are needed to make metal pieces. Four forges will be used and one is ADA accessible. How cool is that.
The forging will be done in 15 minute intervalls with four people switching out every quarter hour.
This is the Discount Plus parking lot across from The Granada Theater.
This is where the new Crossroads sculpture and pocket park in The Dalles will be located.
During the Cherry Festival April 22nd – 24th, the public will get a chance to forge metal pieces under the guidance of skilled blacksmiths. The created pieces will be incorporated into the sculpture “Crossroads”, designed by the local artist MacRaye Wylde in collaboration with The People’s Forge.
MacRaye Wylde
For the event, we need volunteers to help with things like getting waivers signed, preparing protective equipment, explaining the project to participants, etc. Volunteers will be paired with a member of the People’s Forge team.
To learn more about the project and/or book your volunteer slot, please go to thedallesartcenter.org/forged-together, (scroll to bottom of page for volunteer application) or call The Dalles Art Center at 541-296-4759.
If you are not able to volunteer, come hit some steel with the talented artists of The People's Forge Project!
Detail of Sculpture
5pm-9pm, Friday, April 22nd
11am-9pm, Saturday, April 23rd
11am-5pm, Sunday, April 24th
Bending steel today, April 23.
The People’s Forge
The People’s Forge Project is driven by the mission to create "community experiential arts and culture,” values that align well with the place-based and locally focused work consistently promoted by The Dalles Art Center.
A short video accessed through The Peoples’ Forge website illustrates the all-ages celebratory fun that transpired at their last event of this kind, culminating in a stunning landscape piece located in Winterfest, Bend. “This is part of all of us. This isn’t just one artist making a thing but this is everyone coming together,” reflects the narrator and founder of the blacksmithing group, Kellen Bateham.
Artist Bill Hoppe, a previous collaborator with The Peoples’ Forge Project, spoke about the translation of his own design into a permanent work of public art, also in Bend, stating, “every time I see it, it reminds me of the sense of community and joy that created it. Unfailingly, I will see passers-by stop and point out their contribution to their companions.” It is this kinetic sense of joy and community offering that Stephenson and the Art Center hope to bring to The Dalles with the culmination of this project during next year’s festival.
This story is sponsored by :
The Dalles Iron Works
Welding, Machining & Fabrication Since 1905 at 720 E. 2nd St., The Dalles.
Jon Keyser and his crew can solve your problems big or small, ranging from the manufacture of ornate iron gates to repairing heavy equipment. His team includes wife Holly and son Jon Jr. who have spent years dedicating themselves to community good, most notably on the Dufur Volunteer Fire & Ambulance.
