Former FFA’er Makes Massive Display Emblems
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Terry Zulkowski has taken FFA pride to a new level with his 3,600-lb., 80-in. high FFA emblems. Even the base is big, standing 17 in. tall, 60 in. wide and 32 in. deep, with room to stand or sit on it. For the artist, the first one he made was personal.
“I was in FFA in high school, and when a vo-ag teacher I had worked with was retiring, I wanted to give him a special gift,” says Zulkowski.
Since then he has made massive emblems for 24 sites from California to Georgia and West Virginia to Texas.
Zulkowski created the mold using the lost wax technique to capture the quality and detail of cast bronze statuary. Each casting has an interior structure of 3/8-in. rebar and galvanized welded mesh.
The artist uses his own ThemeCrete aggregate composite developed originally for custom concrete garden benches. Even though it is considered a lightweight mix, the completed emblem and base weigh about 2 tons.
When the cast is finished, Zulkowski lets it age for 18 days. He then coats it with a bronze finish for beauty and resistance to the elements. He says it can easily handle a 150 mph wind.
Each handmade emblem has the FFA motto on the back and a place for a bronze dedication plate. A removable eyebolt allows the emblem to be lifted up and set it in place.
“It takes about 3 weeks to make one,” says Zulkowski, who also does work for the Houston, Texas, Parks Department, as well as custom gate design, sandblasting, graphic design and more.
The FFA first licensed Zulkowski to make replicas of the emblem in 2009. In addition to the large design, which is priced at $5,800, he also makes smaller ones for use on a podium or desk. They are copper plated and priced at $20.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Southwest Graphix Themecrete, 5611 Kunz Rd., Needville, Texas 77461 (ph 832 247-9784; sales@swgraphix.com; www.swgraphix.com; https://www.facebook.com/Terry-Zulkowski-950420215136838/).
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Former FFA’er Makes Massive Display Emblems FARM HOME Miscellaneous Terry Zulkowski has taken FFA pride to a new level with his 3 600-lb 80-in high FFA emblems Even the base is big standing 17 in tall 60 in wide and 32 in deep with room to stand or sit on it For the artist the first one he made was personal “I was in FFA in high school and when a vo-ag teacher I had worked with was retiring I wanted to give him a special gift ” says Zulkowski Since then he has made massive emblems for 24 sites from California to Georgia and West Virginia to Texas Zulkowski created the mold using the lost wax technique to capture the quality and detail of cast bronze statuary Each casting has an interior structure of 3/8-in rebar and galvanized welded mesh The artist uses his own ThemeCrete aggregate composite developed originally for custom concrete garden benches Even though it is considered a lightweight mix the completed emblem and base weigh about 2 tons When the cast is finished Zulkowski lets it age for 18 days He then coats it with a bronze finish for beauty and resistance to the elements He says it can easily handle a 150 mph wind Each handmade emblem has the FFA motto on the back and a place for a bronze dedication plate A removable eyebolt allows the emblem to be lifted up and set it in place “It takes about 3 weeks to make one ” says Zulkowski who also does work for the Houston Texas Parks Department as well as custom gate design sandblasting graphic design and more The FFA first licensed Zulkowski to make replicas of the emblem in 2009 In addition to the large design which is priced at $5 800 he also makes smaller ones for use on a podium or desk They are copper plated and priced at $20 Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Southwest Graphix Themecrete 5611 Kunz Rd Needville Texas 77461 ph 832 247-9784; sales@swgraphix com; www swgraphix com; https://www facebook com/Terry-Zulkowski-950420215136838/
