124 Alden Street

Detail of Clarence Kacergis’s marker. [2013, Dunlap]

Clarence C. Kacergis (1916-2012) established the Provincetown Welding Works, 3 Bradford Street, in 1946. “At first, he imagined a simple welding shop until several Provincetown artists and sculptors looked to stretch themselves and embrace metal as a heightened form of expression,” Gerry Desautels wrote in the Banner of 16 October 2003. Among them was Chaim Gross. In the present day, Desautels continued: “Maritime objects, fauna, flora and Cape characters — strumming musicians, rowing sailors and sawing woodsmen — are depicted in quirky Kacergis style throughout the chock-a-block shop. The works are wonders of modern recycling and years of collecting parts and pieces from unspecified junkyards on and off-Cape. … Ball bearings, dulled blades, washers, chains, quahog rakes, frying pans, and retired oxygen tanks and lawn rakes are just some of the remnants incorporated into airy mobiles and butterflies, charming folk figurines, bright bird and flower sculptures, and precious metal mammals.” Clarence lived across the street from the works, at 4 Bradford Street, with his wife, Matilda A. “Tillie” (Jackett) Kacergis (1917-2005). She was the daughter of Anton and Mary Jackett, née Mayo. The Kacergises also operated Tillie’s Cottages. Their son Michael succeeded to the welding operation.