Junque Yard Sculpture Furniture Contest 2005

Speech from Art Sculpture Reception and Awards Ceremony
April 10th , 2005

I want to thank everyone for coming to this reception for the Junque Yard Sculpture contest.
Before announcing our award winners, I would like to recognize and thank some people who were instrumental in helping put this event together.


This marks the fifth year we have held this sculpture contest. We are pleased to have celebrated several milestones this past year. Completing our 85th year coupled with record production with an excellent safety record has made this a year which will be remembered for many years to come. We are very fortunate to have the caliber of employees we have at Macon Iron.

We also set up our household recycling drop off center to handle household recyclables. The participation has exceeded our expectations. All proceeds from the center benefit the Youth Actors Company at Theater Macon. Thanks to everyone for their efforts to continue to recycle.

This past summer thousands of kids were exposed to several of the pieces of our art. Macon Iron displayed sculptures from last years competition at a display at Sci-Trek museum in Atlanta.

One of the goals of this project is also to educate the students and public about the many phases of recycling. There is a lot more to recycling, than just placing material at the curb. Many of the pieces of scrap used to make these sculptures, come from local businesses, which put forth tremendous efforts to recycle and to keep materials out of the waste stream. There is also a tremendous of work on the part of individuals to recycle materials in addition to those which would be normally collected in a curbside program. It was quite interesting this past year seeing the variety of materials which came across our scales.

I especially need to thank the staff and employees of Macon Iron for helping put this event together. It is no minor task to convert a production area for scrap into an exhibit hall for artwork. In addition to cleaning up and setting up for this event, this facility handled well over 100 plus customers bringing in scrap in a three hour period yesterday alone. You guys did a great job!

I am not really sure how to thank these art and welding students for their effort. Each year seems to surpass the previous year. I am amazed at the work they produce. Their work, creativity, and dedication is in my opinion a reflection of the inspiration they receive from their instructors Laurel Robinson and Charles Wells at Ga. Southwestern State University and Gary Blackburn at Mercer University, Carol McKinley at Middle Ga. Technical College. I would like to thank you for the work you do with these remarkable students. You are all truly amazing with the work you do with these students.

Last of all, I would like to thank our judges Dot Brown and Terri Frolich. They had their work cut out for them this year in trying to decide on the winners, as each one of these pieces is incredible.

Following announcement of the winners, we invite you to enjoy viewing the beautiful pieces of art.

The winner of Best Use, of Found Materials this year goes to the sculpture Dresserox by ZACK BROOME -Zack will receive a check for $100 for this award. Also congratulations to Zack on recently directing of the play "The Real Inspector Hound" at Macon Little Theater. Great job on that too.

The winner of the Most Humorous category this year is the Group Sculpture "Drunk Table" - A check for $100 will be awarded for this winner

The winners for the Group Category are as follows:

Group Project Awards

3"For Your Eyes Only" - Ga. Southwestern State University

2"Rocking & Rolling" -Ga Southwestern State University

1. "Princess Gearhead" - Ga. Southwestern State University

The Ga. Southwestern Foundation will receive at $1000 check.

The winners for the Individual category are as follows:

Individual Project Awards

3. "Evening Light" - Zoë Alexandra- Ga. Southwestern State University; Zoe will receive a check for $100

2. "Soil Sofa" - - Mercer University will receive a check for $150

1. "Backyard Rocker" - Derrick Willard - Central Georgia Technical College; Derrick will receive a check for $750

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