Jamie Vaida and Alvin Sessions will be presenting their sculpture “The Burning Pink Organ,” at the Fire Arts Festival. Vaida has spent years perfecting his craft of creating beautiful, often functional, pieces of art from recycled metals. He is a veteran creator of Mutant Vehicles for Burning Man. Sessions is an inventor, master fabricator and artist. He explores his thriving passion for the arts in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Summit Daily News: How long did it take you to create your project and what was the process behind it?

Jamie Vaida: It took about three months to build “The Burning Pink Organ.” I built it with my buddy Alvin Sessions. I was inspired by a sculpture of an art car from Burning Man called “Po Po Mechanico” — an octopus that shoots lots of fire — and the builder Dwaine is able to play along with music and the fire effects.

SDN: How did you first get into fire sculptures and how long have you been creating them?

JV: I started making fire sculptures about seven years ago, starting with simple flowers plumbed with propane used as tiki torches. I make my living being commissioned to build functional sculptures for people. From staircases to furniture, lighting doors, gates — anything we can come up with we can build. I work closely with other artisans to help me with other mediums — like glass blowers, stone carvers and electricians.

SDN: What else inspires you in your artwork?

JV: I’ve always been inspired by organic forms in nature. I designed landscape in Denver for almost six years before making the transition to metal sculpture. I also grew up in a very rural town growing up in the trees and rivers.

SDN: What is the most important tool you have when it comes to your work?

JV: My favorite tool is my cordless porta band saw.

SDN: What are you most looking forward to doing while in Breckenridge?

JV: I’m looking forward to seeing old friends in Breckenridge while I’m there. These festivals are a reunion for me as I lived in Colorado for 18 years.