Repair Days at tHe metal Museum
Repair Days Iron Pour Crew at the Metal Museum, Downtown Memphis, TN
I’ve been to quite a few Repair Days at the Metal Museum, and it never disappoints. I mean, there is the art, which of course is always amazing, the grounds are beautiful, and there’s always lots of fire, but my favorite part is still the people. I saw some familiar faces and a lot of new ones.
Repair Days is one of those events where blacksmiths and metalworkers come from all over the county to volunteer their time to repair metal items in support of the Metal Museum. There is this great spirit of camaraderie where artisans share what they know and have a great time doing it. Plus, the iron pour is always awesome. Joey, my youngest, squealed, “hot lava!” when she saw the molten metal pouring from the fiery cupola. There were lots of students, volunteers, and seasoned professionals.
Marvin Stockwell had a pair of aviator glasses repaired. He said that they had belonged to his father and were very dear to him. Similarly, I had one of my dad's fire knives repaired a few years ago. It too meant a lot to me now that he’s passed. At Repair Days they don’t ask why you want to fix that sentimental something, they just do it knowing that it’s special to you.
On the first anniversary of my dad's death, I found his old aviator sunglasses and I instantly felt my dad's presence. The Metal Museum was able fix them with just a little micro-welding. It was like a wink from heaven. - Marvin Stockwell.
Marvin Stockwell Right, with (DJ, volunteer artist) from Missouri. Repair Days at the Metal Museum.
If you're lucky enough to see a repair process from start to end, the lengths the artist will go to, not just to repair but to make it like new, are truly amazing. Sometimes they have to fashion a special tool first to get the job done right. It's pretty incredible watching them work.
Unfortunately, I was unable to stay for the auction, but I did get a few pics of other stuff that hopefully, you will enjoy.
Repair Days is the Metal Museum's largest fundraising event, which gives the public the opportunity to bring in their broken metal items to be restored to their former glory. Volunteer specialists come in from around the country to give new life to these objects, from rusted garden furniture and broken jewelry to warped heirloom silver.
Learn more at metalmuseum.org/repair-days
