Since my retirement in 2014 from teaching sculpture, membership in the University of Minnesota Retirees Association and participation in its Professional Development Grants for Retirees Program have helped me to maintain my studio, exhibit my work, and provide opportunities for undergraduate interns to work with me.

I was awarded a grant to attend a national and a regional conference in 2019. After the pandemic interrupted these conferences, I received permission to apply the funding—and was awarded some additional funds—to attend the 9^th International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art in Berlin in September. I will also be attending the 7^th Biennial Western Iron Art Conference at South Dakota State University in October.

The grants from UMRA have enabled me to remain active in my studio, resulting in work being placed at the Stevens Point Sculpture Park in Wisconsin and at Caponi Art Park in Eagan, Minnesota. Additionally, the grant program has provided opportunities for undergraduate interns from the Department of Art to work with me. I value this contact and dialogue with younger artists; it helps connect me to the department and current university culture.

The UMRA program has also provided me with time to write and reflect upon the work as I enter my 80th year.

—Professor Emeritus Wayne Potratz (aka IronWain)