Blacksmith recognized as Touchstone Artist of the Year
Some people recognize the horseshoe as a symbol of good luck. Whether or not there’s any truth in the age-old superstition, working as a blacksmith for 25 years seems to have brought good fortune — and expertise in his art — into the life of metalsmith Dennis Gilkey, 61.
The owner/operator of Blue Spruce Forge in Creekside, Indiana County, Gilkey started his blacksmith career as a journeyman farrier, shoeing horses for various equestrian farms, a trade he learned by apprenticing under a half dozen farriers and attending the Meredith Manor Farrier School in Waverly, W.Va.
His work as a blacksmith began in 1984 and, over the past three decades, he’s become an integral part of Touchstone Center for Crafts as a student, instructor, volunteer and exhibiting artist. In 2001, he became a full-time blacksmith, eventually specializing in architectural ironwork with an emphasis on traditional joinery. He has since gone on to become a regionally recognized artisan, and his forged creations have been commissioned by high-profile clients, mostly in the Ligionier area.
For his contributions to Touchstone, a 150-acre craft school in Farmington, and for his quality artistry, Gilkey was selected to be Touchstone’s 2011 Artist of the Year. Gilkey was honored in a public reception at Touchstone. He tailored the event “to his sensibility,” said Adam Kenney, Touchstone’s executive director. “He’s a professional ironworker and wanted to keep the reception casual, simple and comfortable.”
During the reception, the artist walked patrons through the exhibit of approximately 15 to 18 of his works and explained some of his techniques and artistic decisions made in creating them.
“With Dennis, it’s especially important to remember that with much of his work function is as important as form,” said Kenney. “For instance, when he designs something like a door handle, he has to make it both beautiful as well as an original work of art and, at the same time, make sure it’s a functional, working piece.”
Objects in the exhibit, which runs through Oct. 29, are taken from Gilkey’s private collection and include a 40-by-20 inch coffee table with glass top, a three-by-four foot sun dial on a two-foot square iron, brass, stainless steel and copper base, a door knocker and a 15th century-style German chest lock. None of the pieces are available for purchase, but patrons will be able to commission similar pieces.
“Everything in the exhibit was either taught to me in class or inspired by another artist at Touchstone,” Gilkey said.
Of all his creations, Gilkey considers the 75-foot hand railing with traditional joinery he made for a Ligionier estate to be his most difficult project. The project took an entire year to complete. Another big project for a second Ligionier estate called for the design and creation of five different fire screens, a pot holder rack for the kitchen and other home decor items.
“I try to keep the time-honored techniques present in my work,” he said. “Even when a client requests a more modern piece, the traditional joinery must be there for the architectural ironwork to function both structurally and visually.”
Although much of his work has been created on a commission basis, lately Gilkey’s been making home decor items in his Creekside studio during the winter.
The rest of the year, he works and takes classes at Touchstone. For the past 10 years, he’s enrolled in a series of two week-long classes in blacksmithing.
“There are numerous smiths whose work I admire, including that of all the teachers I’ve met at Touchstone, such as Tom Latané,” he said.
For the past three years, Gilkey helped to organize the Jim Campbell Hammer-In at Touchstone’s nationally recognized Hart Moore Blacksmith Studio. At the annual event held the first weekend in May, between 40 and 50 blacksmiths from across the country convene at Touchstone to exchange ideas, demonstrate techniques and foster friendships.
“The Jim Campbell Hammer-In is truly a great forum for all blacksmiths, both emerging and established, to show off new skills and share the tricks of the trade,” said Gilkey.
Along with his artistic accomplishments, Kenney said that Gilkey’s passion for volunteering his time and efforts and his good-natured presence on campus season after season, make him an outstanding choice to be Touchstone’s 2011 Artist of the Year.
For more information, call 724-329-1370.
Candidates for the Center’s Artist of the Year award are nominated by Touchstone’s board of directors and members. Typically, five candidates or less are nominated each year, said Stefanie Glover, operations manager. Voting on the list of candidates takes place at the annual member meeting the first weekend in November.
“I consider it quite an honor to be included on Touchstone’s Artist of the Year plaque, along with all the excellent artists and wonderful people I’ve met here over the years,” Gilkey said.
For more information, call 724-329-1370.