About the Item

Nest Candle Holder Set #1

2 sets of 3 pieces are available. The other set is item #266.

Each set contains one of each size: 18" tall, 16" tall, and 14" tall. All have a 4" x 4" top piece.

About the Artist

"I use traditional forging techniques and joinery to create contemporary work. I start with raw metal and heat it in the forge. I then use a pneumatic power hammer and hand hammers at the anvil to shape and bend the material. I have made the majority of my tooling, I use different tool steels for hot cutting chisels, slits, drifts, punches and hammers. The style I have developed is in part inspired by the use of industrial forging tools used in an unconventional manner to shape and push the metal gaining length, width and texture at the same time. I focus on keeping clean lines and forging every part of each piece to shape the metal hot. The joinery becomes an aesthetic part of the piece, a focal point, it represents hard honest work that is thought of to be sophisticated in its simplicity.

This work represents an idea of focusing on forms and line, texture and functionality. Ideas come from many places including the natural world I see every day outside the studio in south west Wisconsin's "driftless area", industrial blacksmithing techniques from the early years of the Industrial revolution. The joinery is out front to be seen rather then trying to hide it, it becomes an aesthetic part of each piece. The fronts of all the cabinet pieces have a story to tell, whether it's an abstract representation of our agricultural area or a connection to historical steel industry."

About the Item

Striped Bass Trinket Dish

2026

Waterslide Decal on Blue Transparent enameled copper hand formed dish. Inspired by Wildlife stamps featuring a Striped Bass.

3.75" x 2.5"

About the Artist

Wyatt NP is a metalsmith and enamelist living and working out of Maine. He is currently the Fine Metals Studio Technician at Maine College of Art and Design managing their studio operations and equipment repair. He previously worked at Peters Valley School of Craft managing their Fine Metals Studio 2023-2024 and as an assistant 2022. He holds a BFA in Metals, Jewelry, CAD CAM Design from Tyler School of Art and Architecture.

As a craftsperson, farming and agriculture provided Wyatt with a strong foundation for his artistic practice. He grew up in a small rural town working with horses from a young age while participating in FFA and 4H within his small agricultural community. He has had various agriculturally focused careers, having worked in livestock management as a farrier, while also pursuing craft focused endeavors in metals and jewelry. In his own work he primarily makes enameled belt buckles, with an appreciation for motifs around agriculture, the outdoors and fishing. He is an avid outdoorsman who loves fishing, hiking, and backpacking. When he's not in the studio you can find him fishing on one of Maine's many lakes, ponds or rivers.

About the Item

Branches Candle Holder Set

Set of 4 taper candle holders of varying heights: 19.5" tall, 17" tall, 14.5" tall, and 12" tall. All have a 4.5" round base.

About the Artist

"I use traditional forging techniques and joinery to create contemporary work. I start with raw metal and heat it in the forge. I then use a pneumatic power hammer and hand hammers at the anvil to shape and bend the material. I have made the majority of my tooling, I use different tool steels for hot cutting chisels, slits, drifts, punches and hammers. The style I have developed is in part inspired by the use of industrial forging tools used in an unconventional manner to shape and push the metal gaining length, width and texture at the same time. I focus on keeping clean lines and forging every part of each piece to shape the metal hot. The joinery becomes an aesthetic part of the piece, a focal point, it represents hard honest work that is thought of to be sophisticated in its simplicity.

This work represents an idea of focusing on forms and line, texture and functionality. Ideas come from many places including the natural world I see every day outside the studio in south west Wisconsin's "driftless area", industrial blacksmithing techniques from the early years of the Industrial revolution. The joinery is out front to be seen rather then trying to hide it, it becomes an aesthetic part of each piece. The fronts of all the cabinet pieces have a story to tell, whether it's an abstract representation of our agricultural area or a connection to historical steel industry."

About the Item

Creamer from the Fred Fenster Cup

2026

Pewter

"I studied with Fred Fenster and Eleanor Moty at UW-Madison in the 1970s. Fred came to Purdue Fort Wayne and presented wokshops for my students several times in the 2000s. Learning from him and working with him was always a fun and delightful experience.
This pewter creamer is made from the basic cup pattern Fred used in his workshops. I simply turned it over and modified the design to add a spout, handle, and bottom."

9" x 4 1/4" x 2 3/4"

About the Artist

Robert Schroeder is currently teaching metalsmithing and drawing at the Department of Art and Design, Purdue University - Fort Wayne, Indiana. He also works as an independent curator. His career as a museum professional and curator is extensive and spans three institutions. He has taught metalsmithing, drawing, and design at the university level since 1994.

Schroeder came to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art to be a curator from the University Art Museum at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he held the position of Registrar. Prior to living in California, he was the Registrar/Collections Manager at the Madison Art Center in Madison, Wisconsin (renamed the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in 2004.)

Schroeder attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison, earning a BS in Fine Arts. He began graduate study at Temple University's Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and returned to UW-Madison, finishing an MFA in Metalsmithing and Sculpture.

As Curator of Exhibitions for the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Schroeder was responsible for coordinating the Museum's exhibition program and assembling exhibitions, having worked with well known artists such as John Newman, Hollis Sigler, Mary Beth Edelson, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Hung Liu, Nick Cave, William Morris and Dale Chihuly. Along with giving gallery tours and planning exhibition-related programs and interpretive materials for exhibitions he has organized and traveled to museums nationally, he has lectured extensively on various topics of both historical and contemporary art subjects.

Leaving the museum field in 2002 to pursue making and exhibiting his own artworks, Schroeder has taught metalsmithing, drawing, and design as an Adjunct University Professor, and has also acted as an Independent Curator.

About the Item

Small Blue Bowl

Aluminum and powder coating

8"

About the Artist

Rachel Suzanne Smith is an artist, metalsmith, and educator. She received her undergraduate degree at Miami University in Art Education with minors in 3D Media Studies (jewelry/metals) and Spanish. She received her MFA in Crafts (Jewelry Metals Enameling) at Kent State University in 2015. Smith taught Jewelry/Metals, CAD for Jewelry, and Makerspace Exploration/Digital Fabrication courses at Kent State between 2015 and 2020. Smith now dedicates her career to growing, supporting, and managing academic makerspaces. Currently, as the Fabrication Manager at Sears think[box], Smith works to uphold a safe and accessible shop environment that is free and open to everyone.

As a practicing artist, Smith maintains a studio practice in North East Ohio. She creates works to exhibit in addition to a small number of limited production works that can be found at Ombre Gallery for sale. Smith is active in the craft and jewelry community, and currently serves as Board President of the Ohio Designer Craftsmen and the Ohio Craft Museum. In addition to her personal studio practice, Smith maintains a studio partnership with NE Ohio artist Jennifer Ramirez.

About the Item

Medium Blue Bowl

Aluminum and powder coating

13"

About the Artist

Rachel Suzanne Smith is an artist, metalsmith, and educator. She received her undergraduate degree at Miami University in Art Education with minors in 3D Media Studies (jewelry/metals) and Spanish. She received her MFA in Crafts (Jewelry Metals Enameling) at Kent State University in 2015. Smith taught Jewelry/Metals, CAD for Jewelry, and Makerspace Exploration/Digital Fabrication courses at Kent State between 2015 and 2020. Smith now dedicates her career to growing, supporting, and managing academic makerspaces. Currently, as the Fabrication Manager at Sears think[box], Smith works to uphold a safe and accessible shop environment that is free and open to everyone.

As a practicing artist, Smith maintains a studio practice in North East Ohio. She creates works to exhibit in addition to a small number of limited production works that can be found at Ombre Gallery for sale. Smith is active in the craft and jewelry community, and currently serves as Board President of the Ohio Designer Craftsmen and the Ohio Craft Museum. In addition to her personal studio practice, Smith maintains a studio partnership with NE Ohio artist Jennifer Ramirez.

About the Item

Large Blue Bowl

Aluminum and powder coating

15.5"

About the Artist

Rachel Suzanne Smith is an artist, metalsmith, and educator. She received her undergraduate degree at Miami University in Art Education with minors in 3D Media Studies (jewelry/metals) and Spanish. She received her MFA in Crafts (Jewelry Metals Enameling) at Kent State University in 2015. Smith taught Jewelry/Metals, CAD for Jewelry, and Makerspace Exploration/Digital Fabrication courses at Kent State between 2015 and 2020. Smith now dedicates her career to growing, supporting, and managing academic makerspaces. Currently, as the Fabrication Manager at Sears think[box], Smith works to uphold a safe and accessible shop environment that is free and open to everyone.

As a practicing artist, Smith maintains a studio practice in North East Ohio. She creates works to exhibit in addition to a small number of limited production works that can be found at Ombre Gallery for sale. Smith is active in the craft and jewelry community, and currently serves as Board President of the Ohio Designer Craftsmen and the Ohio Craft Museum. In addition to her personal studio practice, Smith maintains a studio partnership with NE Ohio artist Jennifer Ramirez.

About the Item

Nest Candle Holder Set #2

2 sets of 3 pieces are available. The other set is item #204.

Each set contains one of each size: 18" tall, 16" tall, and 14" tall. All have a 4" x 4" top piece.

About the Artist

"I use traditional forging techniques and joinery to create contemporary work. I start with raw metal and heat it in the forge. I then use a pneumatic power hammer and hand hammers at the anvil to shape and bend the material. I have made the majority of my tooling, I use different tool steels for hot cutting chisels, slits, drifts, punches and hammers. The style I have developed is in part inspired by the use of industrial forging tools used in an unconventional manner to shape and push the metal gaining length, width and texture at the same time. I focus on keeping clean lines and forging every part of each piece to shape the metal hot. The joinery becomes an aesthetic part of the piece, a focal point, it represents hard honest work that is thought of to be sophisticated in its simplicity.

This work represents an idea of focusing on forms and line, texture and functionality. Ideas come from many places including the natural world I see every day outside the studio in south west Wisconsin's "driftless area", industrial blacksmithing techniques from the early years of the Industrial revolution. The joinery is out front to be seen rather then trying to hide it, it becomes an aesthetic part of each piece. The fronts of all the cabinet pieces have a story to tell, whether it's an abstract representation of our agricultural area or a connection to historical steel industry."

About the Item

Forged Bronze Candle Holder

4" x 3.75" x 2"

About the Artist

Michael Bondi is an artist blacksmith doing artistic architectural sculptural work in Bronze, steel, Monel, and aluminum . Bondi has been working for 43 years and was on the Board of Directors of the Museum for 21 years.