MEET OUR ScrapFest 16 Judges!
Give it up for our ScrapFest 16 judges of the scrap metal sculpture competition! We're super excited to have them join us!
All of our judges this year are great metal artists, and many of them have participated in ScrapFest before.
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and People’s Choice (for both Large and Small categories) will be announced on Saturday July 11th at 4:30pm ET! 🥇🥈🥉🏆
David Groenjes
David grew up in Minnesota & Wisconsin surrounding himself with nature whenever possible. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Natural Resource Conservation and worked for the US Fish & Wildlife Service while attending College. A career in the Auto Repair industry gave him skills he needed to pursue metal sculpture. David’s work can be seen on public display at the Anastasia Mosquito Control District Museum in St Augustine FL, Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area in Grantsburg Wisconsin, and The Museum of The Shenandoah Valley in Winchester VA. His work has been featured in magazines, podcasts, and TV Shows and In 2024 he exhibited internationally at the Tadweer Art exhibition in Doha Qatar.
Adam Stempka
Adam Stempka's work is a celebration of craftsmanship and material exploration. Fueled by an insatiable curiosity and passion for creating with his hands, he develops innovative designs and formally inventive sculptures that explore line and volume to create visually captivating works of art.
His work balances line, gesture, and texture to create expressionistic forms that pulsate with energy. By combining traditional materials and techniques with a modern aesthetic, Stempka creates sculptures that are familiar yet wholly original. The results are robust works of art that are singular in their ambition and universal in their appeal.
An Erie, Pennsylvania native and 4th generation welder by trade, Stempka began his career working with infrastructure and locomotives. Combining his impeccable craftsmanship with his artistic eye, he worked scrap metal into multiple objects creating unique sculptures, and realized that this was his life's path.
An acquaintance commissioned him to create a tattered American flag. Soon after he posted the final piece, Stempka received hundreds of inquiries nationwide contacting him for flags. To date, his company, Metalheads, has created over 25,000 custom flags and shipped them to every state in America! During this time, Stempka pivoted back to his dream: sculptures and founded Stempka Designs.
His unique works of art have received high acclaim and gained the attention of the community, highly-esteemed businesses, and celebrities.
Jeno Rivera
Jeno Rivera is the current director of the Institute of Agricultural Technology, a two-year workforce readiness program at Michigan State University. Her scholarship focuses on initiatives that blend technical education with community engagement. As a former high school welding instructor, she continues to empower college students and community members through hands-on builds that foster pride of place and resourcefulness using metal and reclaimed materials. Her work is dedicated to inspiring collaboration and creativity, helping others create meaningful structures that strengthen communities.
Joaquin Soto
Joaquin Soto is a Texas-based scrap metal artist who transforms discarded materials into bold, expressive works of art. Rooted in his cultural heritage, his sculptures appear in public spaces where they encourage viewers to reconsider what is often overlooked, revealing unexpected beauty in reclaimed forms.
As a former contestant in SCRAPFEST 13, Joaquin has first hand experience working under the pressure of a tight deadline and limited resources. An experience that transcended to sharpen his creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving. These challenges continue to influence his artistic approach, fueling a career defined by resilience, innovation, and a deep respect for the materials he brings back to life.
David Torgoff
I have been an artist for over forty years: photography, ceramics, metalsmithing, and sculpture. All have been grist for the mill.
I enjoy the challenge of creating art for different people, places, and purposes.
I have created works for:
- Temple Beth el of Flint
- University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens
- Sparrow Hospice
- Sharey Zadek Synagogue
- Hospice of Lansing
- Kehillat Israel Synagogue
- Cowles House, Michigan State University
as well as many other private commissions and sales.
Since retiring in 2022, I have taken part in Scrapfest 3 times.
The creativity and camaraderie of the artists, the support of the ScrapFest organization and Friedland Industries, and all of the national and local sponsors,
come together to bring about an incredible event for the community every year since 2015.
This year I am honored to be one of the judges for ScrapFest 16.