9th WESTERN CAST IRON ART CONFERENCE EXHIBITION "Slag Circus"

Western Cast Iron Juried Exhibition-Professional/Student

Burris Hall Gallery, NMHU, Las Vegas, NM

September 1st– October 3rd, 2026

Artist reception 9.30.26

Juror: Rhiannon Scheidt, New Mexico Highlands UniversityThe Western Cast Iron Art Alliance, Incorporated is a 501 C3, non-profit organization and consists of iron casting artists in the western states that have existed since 2008 to educate, demonstrate and exhibit cast iron art in the region. This group of sculptors creatively focuses on a variety of art forms ranging from installation to performance works utilizing cast iron as their vocabulary.

The Western conference travels to a different location with each meeting. The conference is conceived to communicate, educate and celebrate while facilitating and inspiring art lovers to gain a better understanding and appreciation of cast iron as a sculpture medium. It allows a symposium of focused discussion on equipment design, mold building, and the endless connected experiences that are shared when practitioners convene. Casting iron has grown in popularity as a community has built up around the newfound custom designed furnaces pioneered since the 1950’s. WCIAA seeks to link and celebrate the art and technology of casting iron.

All are welcome to attend the conference, and we look forward to featuring the creative use of iron as a medium in these exhibitions which occur in conjunction with the 9th Biennial Conference, "Slag Circus" at New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU), Las Vegas, NM

Professional
As mentors and leaders in the iron casting community the premise of this exhibition is to celebrate the wide range of techniques used in creative expression with cast iron as a medium or muse.

Student
Artwork should include iron. Work can incorporate additional media and should express individual personal concept and celebrate craft and creative design.

Artwork can be for sale. Artists are responsible for all sales.

There is no commission on art sales. Artwork is insured on location.

Works should be ready to hang and include diagrams and any specific install details.

Note: The Burris Hall Gallery layout encourages submission of wall mounted works in compliment to free standing and pedestal work. Burris Hall Gallery will feature both the Professional & Student exhibitions.

Exhibiting artists are required to attend the conference.

WCIAA Conference dates: September 30 - Oct 4, 2026