Artist Eric Wolfe sculpts his zia-inspired woman in preparation for the Mesalands Community College iron pour on Friday.

Wolfe is one of 11 art students from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colo., who have joined this year's pour.

About 40 artists from both coasts, Alaska and North Carolina, and in between have come for the event, said D'Jean Jawrunner, artist and instructor at Mesalands.

"This is the largest group we've ever had," said Jawrunner, adding that museum curators and others are expected to come and observe later this week.

On Friday morning ceremonies evoking the benevolence of the artists' muses will launch the beginning of the pour.