MonuMetal began as a community fundraiser back in 2012; local metal artists digging through piles of iron, transforming industrial remnants into monumental public art auctioned off to help save the Queen Theatre.
Steephollow Forgeworks Combo-Demo was a decade long annual blacksmithing gathering hosted by Alan & Jeff Lee at their shop with the last one being in February of 2020. This wonderful family friendly event was made up of live demos, metal art vendors, iron smelt, live music, & live and silent auctions.
In 2026, they return — reforged.
The Kimbell is honored to host the return of the combo demo and are excited to recreate the feeling of connection and artistry experienced in combo demos of the past. Don't miss this one of a kind gathering of blacksmiths, knife makers, jewelers, and metal enthusiasts of all stripes.
The event is free and family friendly.
The found art sculpture contest, Monumetal invites artists, welders, fabricators, and creative teams to participate in a revived celebration of material, muscle, and imagination. Teams of artists are invited to create sculptures from scrap metal donated by and collected at Bryan Iron & Metal. The sculptures will be created this spring and put on display during the blacksmithing combo demo & the Downtown Street & Art Fair. The artists will be available for purchase by silent auction with 50% of the proceeds going to the event and 50% of the proceeds going back to the artists.
This celebration of metal art is a tribute to Carlton Joseph Lee. Son of Alan & Jan Lee, a proud blacksmith, a past MonuMetal participant and a long-time member of the Downtown Bryan arts community.
Though his life was cut short; his spirit remains present in the sparks, in the steel, in the buildings of Downtown Bryan, and in the strength of the community he helped shape.
In honoring him, we are not looking backward.
We are forging forward… together.
Upcoming Dates
- Sunday, April 26