In this Z-workz art piece, metal remnants and colors suggest a sunny morning with blooming flowers. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Dan and Ginger Zolynsky will offer Z-workz art pieces at Madison Street Festival on Oct. 5.

They transform cabinetry and metal gadgets into custom wall art. Dan paints, ‘distresses’ and stains cabinet doors as frames. Wooden shims form a background for attaching ‘upcycled’ metal and wood objects.

As ’empty-nesters,’ they found more time for artsy pursuits. The name “Z-workz” represents their cooperative work.

On his U.S. Postal Service route, Dan finds discarded windows, broken frames and metal pieces. Customers give him barn wood. “We use old grinder burrs from our coffee shop, Southern Wake-Up on Redstone Arsenal. It’s a way of giving ‘discovered’ items a new life,” Dan said.

The Zolynskys “talk through ideas and think ahead to make each piece unique.” Daughter Anna, 21, suggested using numerous shims as a ‘canvas.’ “Using shims gives a woven look and creates more interest than a plain background,” Dan said. Anna’s job at Lowe’s generates suggestions for colors, paints and tools for her parents.

Ginger and Dan Zolynsky will offer Z-workz art pieces at the Madison Street Festival on Oct. 5. (CONTRIBUTED)

Son Chad, 25, is an engineer but “he’s also a musician who plays several instruments, sings and writes lyrics and music. Both kids have an artistic flair. Guess the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree,” Ginger said.

Madison Street Festival will be their first showing of Z-workz arts. “We’ve given away a few over the years to family and friends but never tried to sell anything to the general public,” Dan said. “The Madison Street Festival has grown so much since our children were little. We’re really excited to be a part of it this year and not just attending.”

In 1997, the Zolynskys moved to Madison from Detroit. Ginger’s extended family lived in Alabama, and they wanted to raise their children in Madison. Chad, who is engaged, and Anna live in Madison and are alumni of Bob Jones High School and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Maizy, their six-year-old English bulldog, thinks the world revolves around her.

For more information, email to Zworkz.art@gmail.com or visit Z-workz.com (under construction).