Goshen Art

Pipe Dreams

Artist: Steven Lerma

Information: Created in 2020-2021; measures 9 feet by 4 feet; weighs 350 pounds; made of 4-inch steel tubing, base is chrome, rest is aluminum steel exhaust pipe from Mor-Ryde scraps

Description: As we maneuver through life’s twist and turns, sometimes dreams can come true. Steve started with a 4-inch exhaust pipe, then added and subtracted pieces. The piece began to take a life of its own.

For sale: $2,500

About the artist: Art has always been part of Steven Lerma’s life but just took it seriously 3-4 years ago. He was inspired by the Brutalist Art movement from the 1950s. Steven would like to make bigger and more complex art pieces for public display. He loves being around artists and creative people in general. He recently started doing welded steel sculptures.

Tu Reflejo

Artist Joel Lara

Information: Created in 2021; measures 7 feet by 4 feet; weighs 80 pounds; made of steel, aluminum, copper/aluminum wire, mirrors, and spray paint

Description: This piece was selected to be put on display in Elkhart County because it brings awareness to suicide and positivity. This is a taboo subject which needs to be talked about as many battle with various mental illnesses. More must be said about this matter and not everything about the subject is negative. Not only does this sculpture bring awareness, but it celebrates those who are still fighting and honors those who are no longer with us. Mental illness is a real thing and not everyone survives it. The choice of mirrors for this piece is to have the viewers look at themselves for 10 seconds, hence the title in Spanish, “10 segundos.” It takes courage to stand and see yourself in front of a mirror in public while everyone is watching, but it can be a whole spiritual experience when no one is watching. For those 10 seconds, one can talk with oneself or have a conversation with others, not to mention the infinite possibilities you can get if you want to take a picture with it. The birds in this piece are a representation of the struggle that many, including Joel, have or are dealing with. By simply sharing your story you can save a person’s life. Without even knowing it, you can be someone’s inspiration to keep fighting and not give up. Life is a struggle, but it only makes you stronger. You do not have to fight this alone!

For sale: $1,218

About the artist: Joel is an art major at Goshen College. Generally, his media of work is three-dimensional and specifically sculpture or ceramics. Lately what has inspired him is the stories of people battling with mental illness (depression, anxiety, food disorder, etc.). He has struggled, and still struggles with this personally and he wants to bring awareness and positivity to this illness. Joel’s vision for his art is to provide a way for others to see the good in life and the good in the struggles that we all face. Life is not easy and even waking up every day is an accomplishment already. Joel loves being an artist, because he feels he is free to go into his own little world and bring people in. Artists can express themselves without having to speak because their art speaks for them. He has been a sculptor for since 2018.

Doc the Robot

Artist: Benji Wall

Information: Created in 2021; measures 6 feet by 2 feet; weighs 100 pounds; made of scrap metal

Description: This inspiration sculpture conveys that simple characters can be made into reality. Benji was eager to learn how to weld so chose to create a sculpture he could bring to life. He started by putting pieces together that ended up becoming a 6-foot-tall robot with a burning pot in its torso and smoke coming from its eyes.

Not for sale

About the artist: Benji has been a sculpture artist for less than a year. He loves being an artist because it gives him the opportunity to make his thoughts into real things.

Ofrenda

Artist: Brandon Jimenez

Information: Created in 2021-2022; measures 6 feet by 2 feet; made of reclaimed metal and wire

Description: This is Brandon’s largest work to date. It’s the most aesthetically contemporary and interactive sculpture he has worked on, and he’s excited to share it with others. As a second-generation immigrant, he draws inspiration from his heritage and culture as well as personal experiences. This sculpture titled “offering” in Spanish is to be an ode to the sacrifices his parents and ancestors have gone through to get him where he is today. Many residents of Elkhart County come from similar backgrounds, and he hopes they can relate to this piece. He used reclaimed metal and welded the inner structure onto the base and then wrapped wire around the frame to form the shape of a human. He created the heart by wrapping copper wire as well and then attaching it onto the “palms” of the figure.

For sale: $500

About the artist: Brandon is a junior at Goshen College but has been making art his entire life. It’s been a therapeutic outlet to create art to express emotions, ideas and beliefs. He began doing sculpture in 2021 as a sophomore at Goshen College.

Spiraling

Artist: Olivia Krall

Information: Created in 2021; measures 7 feet by 2 feet; weighs 150 pounds; made of recycled materials, primarily steel

Description: This piece was chosen to be displayed because the top portion of the sculpture is created from recycled farm equipment. Olivia felt like this reflects part of the history and culture of Elkhart County. Additionally, Olivia grew up visiting the Quilt Gardens and other locations these sculptures will be located, so having her work there would be personally significant for her. The piece has a rhythmic and organized base with the stacked square figures. The base provides a strong visual foundation for the sculpture that allows for the freer expression of the top portion. The key theme of this sculpture is creativity needs a strong foundation.

Not for sale

About the artist: Olivia began sculpturing in May 2021 and quickly found a passion for working with scrap metal. She has always enjoyed art but never felt like any medium was the right fit until starting welding. The immediacy of welding and its ability to break the rules of other materials are the very reasons. Olivia is drawn to 3-D art. Finally, like many other artists, she finds that sculpture is a creative outlet that uses a different part of her brain.

Conduit to Jupiter

Artist: Orion Blaha

Information: Created in 2021-22; measures 8 feet by 4 feet; weighs 300 pounds; made of welded steel, natural stone, and found machine parts

Description: This sculpture is the culmination of several techniques that have been developing and the first in what is planned to be a series as the idea is further developed. It is to be an exciting and evocative object that will inspire conversation and tickle the viewer’s imagination. The sculpture should evoke something otherworldly yet familiar. It is an interface between the Earth and the depths of space. The viewer can appreciate its structure and form while imagining how it might work. The hope is that “Conduit to Jupiter” can encourage others to dream about the stars. Floating rocks have been part of Orion’s body of work since his time at Goshen College. Suspending the stones always has some engineering challenges and this sculpture is no exception. Finding the right balance and aesthetic of the legs and structural integrity will be part of the process and informs the final shape. The antenna will be composed of inflated steel forms that add a degree of chaos and mystery to the piece. Orion will leverage that unexpected element along with the natural forms of the stone against the rigid engineered look of the legs and supporting components. As the piece takes shape further decoration will be added as the opportunity presents itself.

For sale: TBD

About the artist: Orion takes inspiration from the machines that he maintains and the aesthetics of science fiction and heavy industry. He works to combine this with a fascination with the natural world by coupling science and engineering with the chaotic beauty of nature. Orion has developed this aesthetic focus over the last 12 years.

Arrow Keeper

Artist: John Mishler

Information: Created in 2018; measures 10 feet by 3 feet; weighs 100 pounds; made of aluminum, stainless-steel bearings, paint, and recycled metal

Description: John Mishler is known for his outdoor kinetic sculptures, which is why this piece was chosen for display. Part of the kinetic element is the point of an arrow which is influenced by Native American art. The piece started with several pieces of bent aluminum tube that he already had in his studio.

For sale: $7,500

About the artist: John Mishler has been associate professor of art at Goshen College for more than 30 years. He still enjoys teaching sculpture and is a full-time sculptor with a studio at the Old Bag Factory in Goshen. John has a bachelor’s degree in art from Goshen College, 1977, and an MEA degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. John has had commissions to make many public sculptures in the northern Indiana and southern Michigan area as well as throughout the United States.

Lahistoria del manana

Artist: Joel Lara

Information: Created in 2021; measures 9 feet by 1 foot, 10 inches; weighs 60 pounds; made of steel, aluminum, copper/aluminum wire, and spray paint.

Description: This piece was selected to be put on display in Elkhart County because it brings awareness to suicide and positivity. This is a taboo subject which needs to be talked about as many battle with various mental illnesses. More must be said about this matter and not everything about the subject is negative. Not only does this sculpture bring awareness, but it celebrates those who are still fighting and honors those who are no longer with us. Mental illness is a real thing and not everyone survives it. The epic story of tomorrow can’t be written if it ends today. Thus, the title of this piece, “Lahistoria del manana,” or in English, “The Story of Tomorrow.” It is a representation of the struggle that many, including myself, have or are dealing with. Mental illness is a big thing nowadays and more people are telling their story. By simply sharing your story you can save a person’s life. Without even knowing it, you can be someone’s inspiration to keep fighting and not give up. Life is a struggle, but it only makes you stronger. The creative process to bring this piece to life started by searching and looking up art related to mental illness. From there Joel combined his style with the style of other artists to create this piece. At first, he created a bigger, wider structure, but after struggling to get it to where he wanted, he decided to take it all apart and start fresh.

For sale: $1,187

About the artist: Joel is an art major at Goshen College. Generally, his media of work is three-dimensional and specifically sculpture or ceramics. Lately what has inspired him is the stories of people battling with mental illness (depression, anxiety, food disorder, etc.). He has struggled, and still struggles with this personally and he wants to bring awareness and positivity to this illness. Joel’s vision for his art is to provide a way for others to see the good in life and the good in the struggles that we all face. Life is not easy and even waking up every day is an accomplishment already. Joel loves being an artist, because he feels he is free to go into his own little world and bring people in. Artists can express themselves without having to speak because their art speaks for them. He has been a sculptor for since 2018.

Raindance

Artist: Sunday Mahaja

Information: Created in 2022; measures 8 feet by 3 feet; weighs 150 pounds; made of scrap metal welded together

Description: The story of this sculpture is expressing the beauty and joy of dancing. (Ballerina)

About the artist: As an artist, Sunday enjoys exploring every aspect of art, such as artwork that reflects African culture and lifestyle. He works primarily with found metals and upcycled materials, and mostly the work tends to hold beauty alongside humor and functionality. Sunday is a metal sculpture/painter and enjoys welding and creating art in various shapes of metal and steel as well as aluminum.

John Yoder Memorial Sculpture

Artist: John Mishler

Broken Shield

Artist: John Mishler

Sky Rhythms

Artist: John Mishler

Dream Chaser

Artist: John Mishler