Getting Ready to Unwrap New Sculptures

It will soon be out with the old, in with the new. SculptureTour Salina will unveil the new 2019 exhibit during the UNwrap Party on Saturday, May 4.

According to Salina Downtown, the sixteen sculptures created by artists from around the country will be simultaneously unwrapped at 11:00 A.M.

After the new sculptures are unveiled, be sure to check out the LIVE symposium on the new plaza stage, just north of Ad Astra! Local artist, Corey Haden, will be welding a metal sculpture created from scrap. The sculpture will remain on display during the 2019 SculptureTour Salina exhibit. The symposium will begin Friday, May 3rd during First Friday Night Live from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and will continue on Saturday, May 4th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Corey Haden was born in Clay Center, Kansas and raised in Nickerson, Kansas. He never dreamed in a million years that he would be a scrap metal artist. In 1996 he graduated with an associate degree from Hutchinson Community College in Fire Science and has had careers as a firefighter, salesman, building maintenance, sheet metalist, fabricator, and machinist. He often jokingly saying that he’s a “jack of all trades and master of none”. All his past experiences have culminated into a new-found talent of working with metal.

Corey uses everything from spoons and forks to shovels and pitchforks to create his sculptures. He specializes in, but does not limit himself to, three-dimensional metal flowers, animals, pendulums, and fine art sculptures made from recycled and reclaimed materials. His inspiration begins with a realistic picture and then the hunt is on in the “junk pile”. What you may typically see as a common household item, Corey may see an owl body, pterodactyl beak, or even petals on a flower. When naming a piece Corey sticks to traditional names like Adam and Otis. As he puts it, “I’m not into all those fluffy names like Quiet Storm and Starry Night. My sculptures need a strong name.”

Corey’s work can be found in businesses and homes throughout the continental United States and in several foreign countries. He currently has a piece on display at the Smoky Hill River Festival and typically he has at least one large piece available for purchase at the First Friday Art Walk in Salina, KS. Corey grew up entering items in the Kansas State Fair and has continued that tradition with his metal art. Every piece he has entered he has earned a 1st place ribbon, as well as, People’s Choice ribbons. During the warmer months you can find Corey attending Outdoor Markets and Festivals all over the state of Kansas or working with his wife Megan at their make and take studio, Blue Barn Door {studio}. He currently lives in Salina, KS and works from home.

Be sure to stop at the Visit Salina Information trailer at 1:00 P.M. where Juror, Erika Nelson will announce the 2019 Merit Awards, including Best of Show!

Visitors are encouraged to pick up a Walking Tour/Ballot at many of the downtown merchants or at the Visit Salina Info trailer located in the Ad Astra parking lot. Then, walk the SculptureTour and vote for your favorite piece. Voting is fun for ALL ages! Each year, the People’s Choice Award is determined by viewers who complete a ballot through December 31, 2019 to select their favorite sculpture. The winning sculpture is purchased by the City of Salina and placed where it can be enjoyed by the public.

Completed ballots turned in at the Visit Salina trailer during the UNwrap Party are eligible for prize drawings in several categories for children, teens and adults.  There will be face painting, prizes and crazy entertainment for all to enjoy.