Scrap mettle

Monday, March 3 — Calling all welders. The application process for the sixth Old Town Scrapfest started today. Interested heavy metal artists (we’re talking iron, steel and copper here, not thrashing guitars) have until April 25 to submit their applications for the annual recycled art contest that benefits the Old Town Commercial Association. 

ScrapFest consists of 20 teams of artists, welders and the creative folks who are given one hour on May 31 to take 500 pounds of scrap material from Old Town’s Friedland Industries metal recycling yard to create new works of art. The teams are then given two weeks to bend, weld and otherwise transform that metal into pieces of abstract or realistic art.

Sculptures are then displayed for Old Town’s Festival of the Moon & Festival of the Sun, which attracted more than 4,000 visitors to Old Town last year. While on display, the pieces will be judged by artists and community members and later auctioned off.

ScrapFest supports public art projects in the historic Old Town district, giving 40 percent of the auction sale back to each team. Cash prizes are awarded for first, second and third places; a People’s Choice Award is also presented.

Applications are available at oldtownscrapfest.com. Competition rules and guidelines also can be found online. Completed applications can be returned to the Old Town Commercial Association or emailed to oldtown@oldtownmainstreet.org. For more information, go to iloveoldtown.org or call (517) 485-4283