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“So Metal” fabricator bring a whole new art form to Oakridge

by George Custer | Apr 28, 2023 | Arts, Entertainment and Events, Front Page

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Herald photo

So Metal’s logo is perched atop of metal fabricator Matt Burney’s large tent inside of his building located in the Oakridge Industrial Park.

By GEORGE CUSTER/Editor  —  There’s all kinds of fences: chain link, barbed wire, stock fences, and split rail fences, to name a few. Matt Burney, of So Metal, has recently fabricated a most unusual fence.

Matt worked from drawings provided to him by artists Pete Goldlust and Melanie Germond. He recently completed the task of creating a series of metal fence sections. Together, they span 266 lineal feet of artwork.

Herald photo

A typical fence panel, fabricated by Matt Burney, that is anything but typical, displays the whimsical artwork drawn by Pete and Melanie of The Germlusts Public Art.

Matt works from the large yellow building that looms over the Oakridge Industrial Park from the east. His work is primarily with artists to transform their ideas into displays of public art.

Herald photo

A good number of locals, as well as some out-of-towners attended the art display before it was to be shipped out to Flagstaff, AZ.

 

 

 

 

Matt and the artists held a well-attended open house recently to showcase the metal and stained glass artwork prior to it being shipped off to Flagstaff. The Germlusts Public Art, as Pete and Melanie’s studio is known, is located in Eugene. Pete said that he met Matt through an organization called Art City in Eugene. Pete and Melanie traveled up to Oakridge to co-host the function.

The age of bronze and steel

As I said, this is not your typical barnyard fence. It does however, evoke images of sheep, cattle, and the occasional space alien. Tall trees, loggers, and rainbows also adorn the rails. Pete said that Melanie did much of the research to come up with the stories.

Destination: the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport in Arizona. Each panel, approximately ten feet in length. These panels will get affixed to posts already set into the concrete walkway that leads to the airport terminal. Bronze plaques are also a part of the project. Drawn to specifications, each plaque, approximately two feet in diameter. They will be set into the sidewalk adjacent to the fence sections.

About the Scroll

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One of the many paper rendition of what will soon be cast in bronze. These pieces will be set into concrete along the sidewalk leading into the Flagstaff Airport.

The Coconino Scroll, as it is known, is a highly ornamented decorative steel fence embedded with stained glass accent elements. The fence is composed of images that celebrate the history, environment and culture of Flagstaff and it’s surrounding.  the art concept was designed by Pete and Melanie.

City Administer, James Cleavenger said, when asked about the work that Burney is doing and it’s impact on Oakridge, “I’m incredibly excited about it.”  James continued, “It’s exactly the type of business that we want to encourage to move to Oakridge.” He went on to say, “I’ve talked to some of Matt’s colleagues who have aske me if there is anything else available up here, and I referred them to our realtor of record.”

Matt’s wife, Barbara Counsil Burney is an accomplished artist in her own right. Some of her work is currently on display at the Art Works Gallery on 1st Street in Oakridge.

 

 

Herald photo

From L-R: Barbara Council Burney, metal fabricator Matt Burney, artists Pete Goldlust and Melanie Germond (holding Munkee), son Ezra, and Pete’s father Barry.

Here are some shots of the installed artwork at the Flagstaff Airport. The stained glass inserts are accentuated by the abundant natural sunshine that Flagstaff gets so much of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.

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Written by George Custer

April 28, 2023

Alpine Stream Construction Highway 58 Oakridge Oregon

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