Glen Ellyn fest welcomes Rockford metal artist

Joseph Mongan had no idea that a metal Christmas tree at the Kane County Flea Market would change his life.

The dilemma?

Both his wife and a friend wanted to take the piece home.

So Mongan intervened.

“I never had any specific art training, never went to art class,” said Mongan, founder of Metalscapes LLC.

The Rockford resident had been welding for more than 30 years when he began to experiment with metal sculpting.

Mongan replicated the holiday tree and sold a dozen similar sculptures to a local retailer. When the pieces sold out in two days, he realized he was on to something.

“I always thought I could do it but I never really took the time to,” Mongan said.

So Mongan continued to dabble, and after the same shop commissioned a collection of flowers, he says, “stuff started flowing.”

“I still think it’s funny when people call me an artist,” he said. “Everybody has their niche in life, though.”

Based on his enthusiasm, it is clear Mongan has found his niche.

The sculptor combines different metals and occasionally glass to create unique garden ornaments.

From a 4-foot-tall dragonfly (Mongan’s personal favorite) to bouquets of daisies and coneflowers, Mongan says he tries to replicate what he sees in nature.

“I’m more of a realistic kind of artist,” he said. “I don’t get into the abstract stuff too much.”

As the demand for Mongan’s artwork grew, he began devoting more time to welding and design. Mongan and his wife then opened PORCH, a home and garden decor retailer in Rockford, as a jumping point for Metalscapes.

“I’m in the point in my life where I can devote more time to this project and not worry about having a boss,” he said.

Mongan, who now works for himself, fills custom orders and even repairs heavy machinery.

Still, this summer is the first time Mongan has showcased his work in craft fairs and art shows. As the popularity of Metalscapes grows, Mongan says “it’s just been progressing, branching out.”

“It is more fun to do everything and actually be at the craft shows to see what the reaction is,” he said.

Mongan will showcase his work at the Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts for the first time Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 27 and 28, at Lake Ellyn Park.

Even though he will be surrounded by more than 80 artists, Mongan cannot adopt the label himself.

“I enjoy being called an artist, but I don’t compare myself to people I consider artists,” he said. “It’s just funny.”