Moran art competition well received at new facility

by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor

It has been a while since there were a lot of vehicles in the parking lot of the former Art Van/Brewbaker’s Furniture building in downtown Onaway.

Moran Iron Works (MIW) recently purchased it and has plans to establish a welding school and manufacture light industrial pieces. The facility is being called the Industrial Arts Complex.

Until the plans come to fruition, which could spur growth in the city of Onaway, the building belonged to the arts.

The doors were opened to the public for the first ever Moran Art Competition, Oct. 24.

There were 11 entries from MIW employees, as well as nine pieces from guest artists, who are some of founder/owner Tom Moran’s welding students.

Marilyn Kapp, MIW public relations director, said it was an overwhelming success.

Many friends and relatives of the artists, along with area residents, flowed through the front part of the building where the works were on display to see the different pieces, not only made of metal, but other media as well. The track lighting and spotlights used by the former furniture business were left behind and used to highlight the pieces.

“The set up is just as artistic as the displays,” said Moran. “The pieces of artwork are great, but they have done a very artistic job of displaying them.”

“I was blown away,” said Kapp. “I was hoping for 50, and planned for 100, with the food and champagne, and there were more than 200.”

 

Kapp, along with Cheboygan plant manager Charlie Nyhus, started working on the idea of an art competition five months ago.

Moran wanted to have more non-work related events. They had a softball game last summer, and now, the art competition to feature their talents.

“We were hoping it wouldn’t just be metal,” said Kapp. “I think we got a great variety, of pretty much all the mediums. We have paintings, wood and metal.” She was amazed at how many hardcore welders could put together such impressive artwork in other fields.

The blue ribbon winner for the juried part of the competition went to “The Balanced Welder,” a work put together by Tom VonLinsowe, Jodie Buchanan, Chance Mason and Nyhus.

The Peoples’ Choice” award went to the metal sculpture called “The Leaper,” created by Jill Klien and Eric Stema.

“They are all very creative,” said Moran. “T

he ones that are here are very brave, but I think there are 40 or 50 that could have entered. They were not as brave as this group. I think you will see a whole lot more next year.”

“We did marvelous, we had good energy,” said Nyhus.

“I thought this was a great event,” said Moran.

There are already some initial plans to go forward with another art competition next year. Regarding the Industrial Arts Complex, Kapp said a business model is in place and an educator will be hired, and that plans are ahead of schedule.