ScrapFest 16: More Than a Metal Art Competition
ScrapFest 16: More Than a Metal Art Competition
Every summer, artists from across the country gather in Old Town Lansing, Michigan, with one common goal: transform discarded metal into extraordinary works of art.
At first glance, ScrapFest looks like a sculpture competition. And while that's certainly part of it, spending even a few hours at the event quickly reveals that it's something much bigger. It's a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, community, education, and the people who believe that something overlooked can become something unforgettable.
From the perspective of a social media management company, that's exactly what makes ScrapFest so special.
What Is ScrapFest?
ScrapFest is an annual metal art festival that challenges artists to build sculptures using reclaimed and recycled metal.
The journey begins long before the festival weekend.
Artists gather at Friedland Industries for Collection Day, where they have one hour to search through thousands of pounds of recycled metal and select the materials they'll use to create their sculpture. After leaving the scrapyard, they spend the next month designing, fabricating, welding, grinding, and refining their artwork before returning to Lansing for the festival.
Once the sculptures are complete, they're displayed throughout Old Town Lansing where thousands of visitors spend the weekend exploring the artwork, meeting the artists, shopping with local businesses, enjoying live music, watching live welding demonstrations, attending the ReFashion Show, and experiencing a community brought together through art.
Every sculpture has a story.
Every artist has a different vision.
And every piece of scrap metal gets a second chance.
ScrapFest Creates More Than Art:
One of the most overlooked aspects of ScrapFest isn't the sculptures.
It's the opportunity…
Thousands of people attend the event each year. Many are looking for artwork to purchase. Others are searching for custom fabricators, commissioned artists, welding services, or simply someone whose work inspires them.
For an artist, that's more than foot traffic…
It's exposure…
It's networking…
It's future customers…
It's future commissions…
It's future opportunities…
Every conversation has the potential to become a sale, a business relationship, or a lifelong supporter!
Why Social Media Matters
Before, During, and After the Event:
While the sculptures are on display for only one weekend, the content created around ScrapFest has the potential to live forever.
Photos…
Videos…
Artist interviews…
Behind-the-scenes fabrication…
Collection Day…
Drop-off Day…
Live demonstrations…
Award ceremonies…
Every one of those moments tells part of the story..
For artists, those moments become valuable content they can continue sharing long after the festival ends. A single photo or video can introduce their work to thousands of people who never had the opportunity to attend in person.
The event lasts for a weekend…
The content lasts for years…
That's the difference social media can make!
The Community Benefits Too:
ScrapFest doesn't just showcase artists.
It showcases an entire community…
Restaurants welcome new customers…
Coffee shops become gathering places…
Retail stores see increased foot traffic…
Hotels host visitors traveling from around the country…
Sponsors gain visibility…
Volunteers become part of something larger than themselves…
Old Town Lansing transforms into an outdoor gallery where creativity drives economic activity…
When an event grows, everyone around it has the opportunity to grow with it…
That's one of the reasons community events like ScrapFest matter so much!
Slag Tag Media's Role:
At Slag Tag Media, we don't look at ScrapFest as just another event to cover.
We look at it as hundreds of individual stories waiting to be told.
Our goal isn't simply to post photos.
It's to document the experience.
Throughout the event we photograph sculptures, record videos, interview artists, capture live demonstrations, cover award ceremonies, showcase sponsors, highlight local businesses, and share the moments that many visitors never get to see.
We want the artists to gain new followers…
We want sponsors to receive the recognition they deserve…
We want local businesses to benefit from the increased attention…
Most importantly, we want the event itself to continue growing…
Because when ScrapFest grows, the artists grow…
When the artists grow, the community grows…
And when the community grows, everyone wins…
More Than Social Media:
People often think social media management is simply posting photos online.
To us, it's much more than that….
It's understanding people…
It's recognizing opportunities…
It's finding stories worth telling…
It's helping artists build their brands…
It's helping events reach new audiences…
It's helping small businesses connect with new customers…
Good social media doesn't create passion…
It amplifies the passion that's already there…
Looking Ahead:
ScrapFest continues to prove that creativity can transform more than recycled metal.
It transforms neighborhoods…
It strengthens communities…
It creates opportunities for artists…
It inspires future makers…
And it reminds all of us that incredible things can come from materials—and ideas—that others overlook.
We're proud to be part of that story.
Whether we're behind a camera, interviewing an artist, promoting a sponsor, or helping introduce someone to ScrapFest for the very first time, our mission remains the same.
Help great people and great events get the attention they deserve.
That's what drives ScrapFest…
And it's what drives Slag Tag Media…
