photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

Nick Schmeidler's home in Old West Lawrence seen on May 1, 2026. His sculpture filled yard will be a stop on the Lawrence Art Guild's Art Spaces Studio Tours this weekend.

When he and his wife bought their house 30 years ago, Nick Schmeidler said there was a “craftsman vibe” to the house. His “full-time hobby” of creating folk art sculptures made of salvaged parts certainly adds to that vibe.

Although the sculptures in his front yard are always on display — Schmeidler said that he and his wife sometimes gets knocks on their door asking to “check out” the work — Schmeidler’s unique home is the featured stop for this weekend’s Art Spaces Studio Tours hosted by the Lawrence Art Guild.

The studio tour is a free, self-guided tour where local artists open their houses or studios to the public to see their works, learn more about their processes and make direct purchases from the artists. This year, the tour features 20 different stops and over 50 different artists.

Schmeidler is this year’s featured artist, and his art is created by wiring, bolting and welding objects that have often been discarded. Schmeidler said that he has spent “a lot of evenings and weekends running around gathering bits and pieces” for his work, and he loves finding items that can lead to inspiration.

“When I spot a piece like that, I always grab it,” Schmeidler said.

photo by: Contributed

Nick Schmeidler

Schmeidler’s salvaged sculptures and house — which he described as “kind of hard to explain” — has already been featured for its design. His home was showcased in an episode of the HGTV show “Home Strange Home” in 2012. But if you watched that episode and loved one of the pieces, chances are you can only catch it on the reruns.

“I bet there is nothing left from that (episode) today,” Schmeidler said. “We like to move it on and keep it fresh.”

Although Schmeidler has gotten to show some of his sculptures at a couple events with the Lawrence Arts Center or Lawrence Art Guild, he is excited for the opportunity to welcome people into the home for a visit. Although preparing for the event has been “madness,” including looking for some last minute parts that can make new pieces, he is looking forward to letting more people see the results of his “full-time hobby.”

“I really do it for me and display it for (our enjoyment), but when other people enjoy it too that’s just a bonus,” Schmeidler said.

The Art Spaces Studio Tours will run from May 2 to May 3. The locations will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. A full list of participating spaces and artists can be found at the Lawrence Art Guild’s website.

photo by: Screenshot

This map shows the 20 different studios or homes that will be open to the public for visitors as part of Lawrence Art Guild’s Art Spaces Studio Tours

photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

A closer look at sculptures standing in Nick Schmeidler’s yard which are made of discarded scrap pieces.

photo by: Contributed

This sculpture was created by Lawrence artist Nick Schmeidler, who often uses salvaged pieces in his works.