GP’s Got Talent: Shelby Kirkland Shelby Kirkland does more with car parts than just fix them as a mechanic for the city; he welds them into beautiful pieces of art.
class in high school, and learned to fabricate from Bobby Spurgin while working for the water department. During this time, Kirkland Kirkland, named after the legend- discovered a love for melting metal ary Shelby Cobra, is inspired by his together with electricity. father, who was always working on Kirkland reuses metal objects, encars, to continue the tradition of gine parts, old tools, farm equiploving everything mechanical. ment and other items to create his He began welding in a metal shop pieces. “Most of the time, I see a piece of metal or trash and can envision that piece being a cool center section of a lamp, or a cool conversation piece and build around that,” Kirkland said. “Everything I make is made from recycled metal parts that I think are neat.”
Some of his recent pieces were featured in the Plastic Free PlanIt Gala in November, and were on display at Uptown Theater, including a “Light in Motion” lamp made out of motorcycle license plates, Miller wire, Kohler crank shaft v-twin, SCK tools, 350 fly wheels, In addition, Kirkland incorporates and electrical conduit. movement into all of his art pieces. Kirkland also makes custom piec“I love to make things that serve a es. function and will actually be used,” Kirkland said. “It intrigues people and brings them the same enjoyment as I have creating them.”
You can see and purchase his pieces by following him on Instagram @sckdesigns89 or by emailing him at sckdesign89@gmail.com
New Connector Building for City Hall, Development Center The first phase of the construction at city hall is underway. A new connector building will connect the existing City Hall and the Development Center under one roof, and will also allow the Human Resources, Facilities and Finance departments move into City Hall. Addi-
tional phases will include a “plaza” that will contain a Grand Lawn and Grand Paseo. These areas will allow for green spaces that may be utilized for events and daily outdoor activities so employees, visitors, and the community can enjoy a park-like setting on Main Street.
What are the City Employee Demographics? 2% 11% 60%
27%
White/Caucasian Hispanic Black/African American Asian/Pacific Islander
454 Live in GP 30% Female 70% Male
857 Live Outside GP
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