The metal show gala opening is part of an Artwalk that begins at Mountain Laurel Crafts on the square from 5 to 7:30pm in a meet-the-artist reception for David Shombert whose segmented woodturnings are highlighted in Symmetry Enhanced.

Curator Mark Scwhenk drew nationally and regionally recognized artists from throughout the Mid-Atlantic to assemble a collection of styles and shapes that are both contrasting and complimentary. “Mark had such great response from the artists he invited that we are expanding the show into the Paradox Room,” said Mary Hott, MAC’s Executive Director.

Robert Cole of Washington, DC uses a direct metal technique, hammering the forms into shape. “Change can occur in the piece up to the moment of the final stroke,” said Cole. “This technique helps keep the creative spark alive.” Cole’s human forms are often larger than life. “I usually start with the foot,” he said. Many of Cole’s sculptures can be seen outdoors in the Washington, DC area including at the DC Sculptural Park.

Alison Helm, chair of Scultpural Arts at West Virginia University and nationally recognized for her whimsical works is a rare female artist in the metal world. Iron Antler Forge is the husband and wife team of Daniel and Lisa Stuart and their detail-oriented innovative and dynamic metal sculpture. Harvey Gallery is a family operation in Lahaska, PA that creates one-at-a-time sculptures ranging from fountains and abstracts to natural forms and alien creatures.

Young artists are also featured in the show including 24-year-old Jesse Krimes whose Krimes Against Metal showcases fashions like suits of armor. West Virginian, Jeremey Entwhistle is a rising star student artist in Philadelphia. His sculptural work integrates wood and stone along with the metal.

Seven metal artists from Berkeley Springs participate including Peter Wood who uses imagination and a variety of work techniques to transform the industrial feel of everything from old farm machinery to steel into images and objects of flowing and carefree movement. “I bend eighth inch steel using my own strength to create a fluid motion so the sculptures move in the breeze,” said Wood who often allows the metal itself to determine the direction it will flow.

Among the other local artists is Tom Mahan, a realistic sculptor who works in bronze and terra cotta and focuses on the human form. Hsu Studios showcase their colorful anodized aluminum jewelry as well as wallpieces and sculptures that often incorporate found objects. Glenn Horr of Highland Forge is a popular classic blacksmith, Michael Nathan integrates both celestial patterns and the female form into his work. Curator Schwenk’s work is forged metal sculpture.

Lee Badger has his Anvilworks studio in nearby Hedgesville where he creates decorative and functional pieces for home and garden including metal furniture and sculpture.

A crowd-pleasing, daylong Hammer-In occurs on Saturday, July 14 in the Cultural Park at the Ice House where more than half a dozen blacksmiths set sparks flying as they demonstrate their art.

The curated gallery exhibit produced by the Morgan Arts Council is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the West Virginia Commission on the Arts and hotel/motel tax revenues. The Ice House is located on the corner of Independence and Mercer and is open Friday through Monday from 11am to 5pm. For more information call 258-2300 or check online at www.macicehouse.org.