Kaviar Forge & Gallery

For over four decades, Craig Kaviar has produced functional art at his bright and spacious Louisville studio. Kaviar, a sculptor/blacksmith and one of the most prominent in the Commonwealth, is renowned for his artistic handrails and other signature pieces. His works were also commissioned by Norton Hospital, with the Apple Tree representing good health and a copper/bronze fountain at the Owensboro Hospital Complex. Kaviar’s art can also be seen at the Downtown Louisville Public Library and numerous homes and organizations throughout the area. His art has been highlighted on the Home and Garden TV show "Modern Masters" and in numerous books on ironwork art and craft. The United States Pavilion at the World's Fair, Japan, also included Kaviar's works. Sister Cities of Louisville sent him to Mainz to mark the 600th anniversary of Johann Gutenberg's birth. In 2000, he created a 3-D Gothic "G" with a Gutenberg portrait. Craig Kaviar and his apprentices use heat from glowing metals to mold hard materials such as clay. He shares his mystical experience by offering classes at his studio. Kaviar is inspired by Alexander Calder and Diego Giacometti, but his method of sculpting with metal he learned from the Roman and Greek blacksmiths. His sculptures are full of elegance and hand-wrought texture. Kaviar's artworks frequently feature the natural ornaments of birds and leaves, particularly in his landscape architecture and glass-topped table and chair designs. Kaviar also repurposed two of his tools, the 200-pound Chambersburg Air Hammer and 200-pound Chambersburg Press used in the Charlestown Ammunition Plant. Kaviar emphasized that, "I believe that by using this machinery of war to make artwork, I'm in some way helping turn swords into ploughshares." Kaviar graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Tufts University and studied at the Boston Museum School. Kaviar Forge & Gallery is his other venture, having created metalwork for over 30 years. The gallery, located in Clifton, allows the public to view Craig Kaviar’s works (by appointment).

The gallery no longer exhibits paintings, but it is Kraig Kaviar's workplace and is divided into two sections. The first is used as the artist's forge and the other part focuses on offering instruction to beginners who are trying to learn the art of iron sculpting. Many reviewers have praised Kaviar's art classes, saying that they are informative and well-tailored to the group of beginners. He provides precise demonstrations for every step and keeps novices at ease, giving them the bravery they need to produce high-quality pieces. Most thought that the classes were tremendously helpful, demonstrating that they learned more than they expected after taking part in the experience. The gallery is a great spot to see artwork made in Kentucky and purchase it.