Press & Recognition

Jeremy Werkheiser is the founder and welding artist behind Metal Relic, a metal sculpture studio based in Kingsley, Pennsylvania. His work blends organic forms with industrial materials, bringing wildlife, botanical subjects, and imaginative creatures to life in steel.

This page is an archive of selected awards, exhibitions, publications, interviews, and media resources. For the artist's background and creative philosophy, visit About the Artist.

Major Awards & Recognition

2026

• Fabricator Olympics — Metal Artist of the Year: Crowd-vote winner of the September 12, 2026 Metal Art Competition in Kempton, Pennsylvania, with Hunted, created in a seven-hour live fabrication challenge using the same starting materials as the other competitors.
• Fusion Art — Best in Show: The Deep Sleep selected in the 3-D category of the March 2026 Artist's Choice exhibition.
• Metal My Way — First 2026 Winner: The Deep Sleep recognized by Metal Supermarkets.
• International Institute of Welding: The Deep Sleep included in the 2026 IIW Digital Collection (pages 104–105).
• Grizzly Makers Challenge — 2026 Runner-Up: The Deep Sleep earned runner-up recognition in Grizzly’s metalworking contest.

2025

• SkillsUSA Championships — National Bronze Medal: Postsecondary Welding Sculpture, The Deep Sleep.
• SkillsUSA Pennsylvania State Championships — Gold Medal: Welding Sculpture, The Deep Sleep.
• SkillsUSA District 11 — Gold Medal: Welding Sculpture, The Deep Sleep.
• Harford Fair: The Deep Sleep received First Place, Judge's Delight, and Best of Show.

Earlier Recognition

2021 Harford Fair: Awards for Metal Relic's metal guitar, European deer mount, and steel roses, including First Place, Best of Show, Judge's Delight, and the Superintendent's Award of Fine Arts.

Exhibitions & Featured Events

• October 21–23, 2026 — FABTECH, Las Vegas: Exhibited The Deep Sleep with the Metal Artist Collective at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth S12104, and participated in the October 21 artist meet and greet.
• October 10–12, 2026 — Artists’ Open House Weekend: Participated in the 30th annual event, exhibiting at Griffis Lumber in Montrose, Pennsylvania, alongside Walter Ball.
• March–May 2026 — Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock, PA: The Deep Sleep featured in the Wyoming County Arts & Artists Tour group exhibition.
• Through March 22, 2026 — Kitson Art Gallery, Tunkhannock, PA: Exhibition of The Deep Sleep.

Selected Press, Features & Interviews

2026

• The FABRICATOR — October 2026: Back Page print feature and artist interview about Werkheiser's welding-art practice.
• Benchmark Abrasives — 2026: January 23 artist spotlight featuring Jeremy and Metal Relic. Additional video interview and The Deep Sleep coverage appeared on Benchmark’s social channels in October.
• WNEP-TV — On The Pennsylvania Road: Television feature on welding and metal sculpture.
• Snap-on — Makers & Fixers: Artist profile highlighting the journey behind Metal Relic.
• Susquehanna County Independent — September 2026: Coverage of the Fabricator Olympics Metal Art Competition win.
• North Branch Arts Paper — Spring 2026: Feature on The Deep Sleep winning Metal My Way.

2025

• North Branch Arts Paper — Summer 2025: The Deep Sleep featured on the cover.
• WELD.com Podcast — Episode 210: While attending the 2025 SkillsUSA National Championships in Atlanta, Jeremy briefly spoke with WELD podcast host Beau Wigington, who was covering the event. Watch “Secrets to Success at SkillsUSA National Welding Championships” (August 4, 2025).

Additional interviews, press mentions, and exhibition updates will be added as publication links become available.

Arts, Education & Community

Beyond his studio practice, Jeremy supports opportunities for artists, hands-on learning, and recognition of welding as both a skilled trade and an art form.

• Kitson Arts Alliance: Board member supporting regional arts programming and artists.
• Artists’ Open House Weekend: Board member and Susquehanna County Vice President, supporting the annual studio tour and connections between artists and the public.
• North Branch Art Trail: Involvement in regional arts initiatives that connect artists, exhibitions, and communities.
• Skilled Trades Advocacy: Donated Hunted, the winning Fabricator Olympics sculpture, to support the organization’s work.

Media Kit & Interview Requests

High-resolution sculpture photography, artist portraits, biographies, logos, press releases, and background information are available for editorial use upon request. Media and event organizers are welcome to reach out regarding interviews, features, exhibitions, speaking engagements, and live demonstrations.

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