Metal work has long been one of mankind's most adaptable arts. From plowshares to eating utensils, metal smithing has always been a craft made for functionality. But our local blacksmiths (iron and steel artisans) as well as our other metal work artists have taken this seemly simple craft and created pieces that are both high quality art forms as well as functional home and garden accents.

Mike Cowan Moonshiner Metalworks, asheville nCMike Cowan has taken his skill for metal fabrication and ironwork into the world of master craftsmanship. His history is as diverse as his wares. This former Army avionics technician, dirt track car racer, and NASCAR fabricator’s history has turned his metal working skills to artistic welding and blacksmithing, designing and buildingeverything from architectural iron work to whimsical garden art. Website: moonshinermetalworks.net | Read More: About this Artist on Our Blog

Edwin Knies Black Mountain NCEdwin has been creating artworks most of his life. He admits since graduating from the University of Evansville in Indiana with degrees in communications and fine arts that there are few mediums he has not tried from photography, clay, mixed media but feels he expresses his gift best in metalwork. Website: n/a

Jesse Lee Leicester NCJesse Lee is a local craftsman (and longtime picture framer) who has an affinity and talent for working with copper and other metals. Coming from a framing background, where things were even, square and balanced, Jesse uses abstract designs, copper, old ceiling tin along with aluminum siding, heating ducts and just about anything else to make his bold and unique abstracts and framed art mirrors. (Jesse is also listed under Wall Art - Mixed Media). Website: n/a

Robert Pike Black Mountain NC

Robert specializes in hammered copper wall art and designs. Each piece is handcrafted and finished to capture the golden warmth and burnished color of copper for many years to come. He also creates a signature line of copper leaf jewelry. Each jewelry piece is created from real “leaves” collected during hikes in our beautiful WNC mountains.

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Robert F. Seven Asheville NCRob Seven's eye-catching spoon and fork critters are charming and whimsical but Rob began his 21 year journey into the world of metal folk art from the hot and dusty plant floor of a NC cotton mill. While he has always loved created things with his hands, he didn't turn to making his silverware assemblages and metal sculptures full-time until 1991 when lost his job at the cotton mill and suffered several personal setbacks. Rob says "art has transformed my life and gave me back my soul, and I try to express and celebrate this transformation in all that I do". Website: n/a | Read More: About this Artist on Our Blog