Luminous Metal: Recycled Light Sculptures by Kristen Hoard
Maker Faire Bay Area 2025
September 26th-28th
Discover the beauty of sustainability through light and steel. Artist Kristen Hoard gives new life to discarded materials by transforming recycled metals into vibrant, illuminated sculptures. Using plasma cutters and welding tools, she shapes salvaged industrial scraps into striking wall art and sculptural forms that shimmer with energy and movement.
Each piece is a one-of-a-kind fusion of art and technology. Hoard grinds and textures the metal surfaces to enhance the reflection of embedded LED lights, which pulse, fade, and shift in mesmerizing patterns across walls and ceilings. Some sculptures are interactive, allowing viewers to become part of the luminous experience.
By repurposing reclaimed materials, Kristen not only reduces waste but also reimagines what metal can be—turning forgotten fragments into radiant works of art. A returning favorite in the Dark Room from previous Maker's Faires, she's thrilled to light up the space once again with her bold, sustainable creations.
Kristen Hoard
Kristen Hoard is a visionary metal sculpture artist known for transforming recycled metal into vibrant works of art that awaken wonder and spark joy. Her mission is to beautify spaces—both public and private—through bold, colorful sculptures that merge creativity, sustainability, and emotional resonance.
Kristen's journey into metal art began with an unexpected spark: a psychic's suggestion to explore metal sculpture. That intuitive nudge ignited a lifelong passion. From her very first welding class, she was hooked—drawn to the fire, the transformation, and the expressive potential of metalwork.
Infused with an organic, almost primordial energy, her sculptures often echo the raw beauty of nature with the added wonder of light. Using reclaimed materials, Kristen creates pieces that are not only visually striking but also environmentally conscious. Each sculpture is finished with vivid dyes and inks, imbuing the metal with brilliant color and personality.
Her work is deeply inspired by the immersive experiences of Burning Man, where she draws on themes of light, heat, and transformation. This influence is reflected in her use of fire and LED elements—most notably in the creation of a five-foot metal lotus firepit for Siegfried and Roy's Las Vegas estate and a recently completed 5x9-foot flaming heart sculpture now installed in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
Kristen's portfolio includes large-scale public art installations, corporate commissions, and private works showcased throughout Sacramento, the Bay Area, and beyond. Her captivating artistry and personal story have been featured on KCRA, Fox 40, KXTV, and the Art Infused Life Podcast, where she shares her process and passion with wide audiences.
Through her work, Kristen invites viewers to pause, reflect, and connect—with the art, the environment, and the spark of creativity within themselves.
