Long after the 2024 depart, one -area artist is hoping his cicada brings joy for years to come. Former Joliet resident Steve Kost of Palos Park, a member of The Movement in Joliet and the Art Society, created a 36-inch long, 65-pound cicada from scrap metal that he entered into the sculpture category at ScrapFest in Lansing, Michigan. Choosing a subject to sculpt was a no-brainer for Kost.
“I knew that the cicadas were coming here in our area and I was looking forward to it,” Kost said. “I’m a big fan of cicadas. I’ve always enjoyed their song.
” ScrapFest, which began as a scrap metal artwork competition, is a “full art festival that focuses on up-cycled and repurposed artwork,” according to . The festival features eco-art vendors, family activities, food, live music and The Great Scrap Run 8k run/walk and a Refashion Show. In order to enter a piece into the small sculpture category, Kost said he had to select 250 pieces of metal from the processing plant in Old Town Lansing.
Kost then had just one month to create his sculpture, he said. “I sketched out a drawing before I went to collect my materials,” Kost said. “I looked for parts I could use to build a cicada.
” Kost said the sculptures are eventually auctioned and 70% of the proceeds go to the artists, 20% goes to ScrapFest and the remaining 10% is donated to a local charity. This year, that charity is Lansing SAVE!, according to the ScrapFest website. The cicadas on Kost’s property were so plenti.