Iron Family Feud
Modeled after the long-running television game show Family Feud, this interactive session, hosted by Biff Ladlewarmer, invites two teams to compete by answering survey questions focused on iron casting and foundry practices, materials, processes and personalities from the Western region. Each round begins with a head-to-head buzzer challenge, where one contestant from each team vies for the opportunity to answer first and determine whether their team will play or pass. Attendees can see how their survey answers stack up in the competition, test their knowledge, and gain new insights while enjoying a spirited and engaging competition. Conference attendees should expect to be asked to answer survey questions.
Friends and Neighbors: Western Stories panel
Shaped by both the challenges and opportunities of the vast American West, the Western Cast Iron Art Alliance (WCIAA) has helped cultivate a vibrant regional community grounded in collaboration, education, and the continued advancement of the cast iron arts. Although separated by great distances, artists throughout the region have built enduring connections by gathering to pour iron, exchange knowledge, and support one another’s creative work.
Titled Friends and Neighbors: Western Stories in honor of our late friend Daniel Hunt’s iron pour event, this panel celebrates the spirit of connection that has defined the Western cast iron community. Through shared experiences, regional gatherings, and a commitment to mutual support, this network of artists has fostered a culture of innovation, generosity, and lasting friendship that transcends geography.
During this discussion, panelists will reflect on their own experiences while exploring the distinctive character of the Western cast iron community. Together, they will consider how the region’s landscape, history, and collaborative ethos continue to shape artistic practice and community—not only for those who call the West home, but also for the many artists from across the country and beyond who have become part of its enduring tradition.
