Meeteetse Poised to Become Bronze Art Hub with New Foundry
Meeteetse, WY – A new bronze foundry, spearheaded by local entrepreneur Justin Gerlach and supported by renowned sculptor Ben Payne, is set to transform the small Wyoming town into a significant destination for artists nationwide. The venture aims to fill a critical gap in the market for bronze casting services, with projections indicating significant economic and artistic benefits for Meeteetse.
Payne,who currently relies on foundries across the country for his commissions,expressed enthusiasm for having a facility within walking distance of his studio. He anticipates the foundry will be a vital resource for his own work and for his son’s future artistic endeavors. Payne also highlighted the broader demand for bronze foundries in the United States, predicting that artists from across the nation will be drawn to meeteetse once the facility is operational.
“It’s going to be a huge asset for me, and my son is going to need it for a lot of years to come,” Payne stated. He envisions the town becoming a “bronze art Mecca,” with plans for on-site cabins to accommodate visiting artists who wish to sculpt and work in Meeteetse.
Gerlach, encouraged by Payne’s expertise and confidence in the project, is committed to developing a “very modern” foundry. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but is optimistic about meeting the growing demand from bronze artists and stimulating local business. “I wouldn’t call what we’re doing state of the art,” Gerlach commented,”but we’re all excited,and the city of Meeteetse is pretty willing to help us build a very modern foundry. And,hopefully,we can bring a little more life and art to our town.”
The success of the foundry is expected to extend beyond Gerlach and Payne, potentially becoming a major asset for Meeteetse. Payne emphasized the national need for foundry work,suggesting that the business has the potential to expand substantially based on demand. “There’s a huge need for foundry work across the entire country,” he said. “As soon as Justin wants and can expand the business, I think it will expand however large he wants it to be.”
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
