Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Minneapolis, Minn.

Photo gallery: Pouring molten iron into art

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Professor Wayne Potratz
Professor Wayne Potratz, left, who is retiring after 45 years of teaching art at the University of Minnesota, hangs out near the cupola during an iron pour Friday, Apr. 25, 2014 at the Regis Center for Art.
Jennifer Simonson/MPR News

When you handle molten iron in a blazing furnace nearing 2,500 degrees, "you have to kind of know what you are doing." Wayne Potratz made that point clear as he and his students Friday transformed liquid metal into art at the University of Minnesota's foundry. It was the art department's 45th Annual Iron Pour, an event that turns the foundry into a friendly, Hades kind of a place.

Gallery
13 of 13
Cooling sculpture
A sculpture cools on the ground during an iron pour Friday, Apr. 25, 2014 at the Regis Center for Art at the University of Minnesota.
Jennifer Simonson/MPR News
1 of 13
Professor Wayne Potratz
Professor Wayne Potratz, left, who is retiring after 45 years of teaching art at the University of Minnesota, hangs out near the cupola during an iron pour Friday, Apr. 25, 2014 at the Regis Center for Art.
Jennifer Simonson/MPR News
2 of 13
Iron scraps
Students break up pieces of old radiators that will be melted down during an iron pour Friday, Apr. 25, 2014 at the Regis Center for Art at the University of Minnesota. Radiators are made from high-quality cast iron and are desireable items to melt.
Jennifer Simonson/MPR News