Blacksmithing: Setting My Visual Art Program on Fire!

It has been an exciting few weeks at school! Inspired by the artists of the METAL SHOW: Forged Poured and Welded, I have begun to introduce the art of Blacksmithing to my students!  With the purchase of a small gas forge, and the very lucky acquisition of a beautiful Fisher-Norris anvil, we are jumping in with both feet!  

We began by making simple wall hooks. 

We began by making simple wall hooks. 

We started experimenting by introducing a series of twists to the hot metal. 

We started experimenting by introducing a series of twists to the hot metal. 

So far this has proven a thoroughly rewarding experience for us all!  

So far this has proven a thoroughly rewarding experience for us all!  

The "METAL SHOW: Forged, Poured & Welded" at the Cofrin Gallery

What a great night! Last night, Friday August 28 saw the opening of The "METAL SHOW: Forged, Poured & Welded" at the Cofrin Gallery at Oak Hall School.  I've been co-curating the gallery with my colleague Gary Bone for many years now and we have presented many exciting exhibitions, but last night's show will forever remain among my favorites! 

This show came about quite by accident.  We were originally scheduled to show an exhibition of Photographs of Cuba, but that show fell through early in the summer. In order to fill the gap in our schedule I reached out to Leslie Tharp, a local artist and blacksmith, (http://www.leslietharp.com ). 

I knew of Leslie's work and was hopeful that she would like to show it in our gallery. Leslie came to mind as last year the metal fabrication aspect of our art program took major steps forward with the purchase of a new plasma cutter. This combined with our electric welder has enabled our students the opportunity to create a variety of works of art in metal. 

Leslie really came through she organized 24 blacksmiths and metal artists to contribute work to the show. 

 Leslie also organized live blacksmithing demonstrations. This proved to be one of the most fascinating parts of the evening. These awesome images were captured by Ian Clontz MMXV / Historia Photography. Thanks Ian!

The blacksmiths were very generous with their efforts and information. They went out of their way to inform the crowd about the art and science of their craft. If you missed the opening reception, the exhibition runs through October 2, so stop by!

The blacksmiths were very generous with their efforts and information. They went out of their way to inform the crowd about the art and science of their craft. If you missed the opening reception, the exhibition runs through October 2, so stop by!

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It was an exciting evening!

It was an exciting evening!

This year at Oak Hall School, we acquired a new gas forge and have begun casting aluminum as well as basic blacksmithing! All the Blacksmiths offered their help to us if we need it, (and we are going to need it)!We are very excited about the creativ…

This year at Oak Hall School, we acquired a new gas forge and have begun casting aluminum as well as basic blacksmithing! All the Blacksmiths offered their help to us if we need it, (and we are going to need it)!

We are very excited about the creative possibilities this new equipment will bring! We are most excited to allow our students to experience this ancient craft for themselves!

Come see the Puerto Rican Art collection of Hector Puig at the Cofrin Gallery!

This is a big week in Gainesville for Puerto Rican cultural awareness! We are proud to be a part of a series of exhibitions which will showcase the collected artwork of Hector Puig!  I am especially looking forward to Thursday afternoon, September 25 when Oak Hall will be visited by 7 "Santeros"... Wood carving artists from the Island! Please join us for a reception honoring our guests from 5-7pm on Friday, Sept. 26!  This is a fantastic show that should not be missed!  Read more about this and the other simultaneous shows happening this week: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20140920/ARTICLES/140919507

Southern Soul: Art, music come together for an ‘Evening of Blues’ fundraiser

Join us Friday January 10 at the Cofrin Art Center to celebrate the exhibition “Southern Soul: Unchained and Expressed,” will showcase artworks by area African-American artists Ayleen Harris, Emmitt Williams, Rootman, Ernest Lee, Ruben Wilkenson, Turbado and Roy McClendon Jr.

Area gospel-singer Angela Terrell will add a musical element with performances during the reception, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m.

After the soulful kickoff to the art exhibit, the focus shifts to the blues — in the form of the benefit concert “Memphis or Bust, an Evening of Blues.”

The moniker refers to the reason at hand: raising funds to help send Ocala bluesman Willie Green and the Gainesville-based R. Mutt Blues Band to the 30th annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis, which is set for Jan. 22-25.

It's going to be a great night! Hope to see you there!

Willie Green *Photo by the Gainesville Sun

A Night of the Blues!

Please share this reworked poster!  Hope to see you at the Cofrin Art Center on January 10!

Welcome to my new website and blog!

The time has come for me to consolidate my content on the web!

For a while now, I've been using blogger sites to post my art and activities, but this is the site I will be using moving forward.

It is a lot of work, but I think in the long run it will be worth it.  Right now I am concentrating on getting images organized in an attempt to "tell my story" as an artist.  I have plans to one day soon set up the ability to shop this site, making it easier for you to purchase some art!  

Please check back in the near future as I continue to add images and information to the various galleries.  Wish me luck and thanks for visiting!  

You can still visit my former Artist's Blog: http://hardcorepainting.blogspot.com

Sincerely,

PONZ

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