At first glance, a forge is a relatively simple concept. Anvils, hammers, heat—the tools of a blacksmith’s trade—are equally unassuming. But from those sparks and embers, in the hands of a skilled craftsman, this ancient art form produces intricate, beautiful pieces that last for generations.
At Ryan Calloway’s creative space, the Artistry Workshops and Gallery, something similar happens every day. Stunning iron fire screens and metal flower bouquets emerge from the hearth. Promising young smiths are mentored into a new generation of masters. And community gathers to forge lasting friendships over music, fire, and year-round festivities.
“I’m really passionate about the handcrafted work,” says Calloway, who runs his busy ornamental welding and blacksmith shop, Creative Ironworks, out of the space. “You never see blacksmithing tools or people who do that work, so I intentionally put my forge in the heart of the shop, not in the back.”
For twenty years, Creative Ironworks has specialized in imaginative and modern metal art, crafting furniture, sculpture, kitchenware, home and garden decor, and ornamental iron for clients all across the Southeast. Amid the sparks in Calloway’s shop, you’ll spot winding iron railings and elegant trellises, fire screens with stainless steel mesh, and one-of-a-kind sculptures. Every design is first hand-drawn by Calloway, either independently or using a client’s inspiration, and ranges from flowing mountainscapes and natural motifs to clean, geometric layouts.
“Because each piece is unique, there is a lot of problem solving and engineering along the way—it has to close and work nicely, not just look great—so you always wonder if it’s going to work out. It’s a fun challenge, for sure. And the end result is going to last forever,” adds Calloway, who believes in using every scrap of metal to make art between commissions. “That’s how I work: trying to think about being efficient, and using all the materials.”
Putting Metal to Work at Creative Ironworks
In fact, you can see that spirit of ingenuity and sustainability in his large-form sculptures, which breathe colorful life into welded steel. “My passion is metal sculpture. We take leftover architectural sheets [of metal] and run them through a roller, [then paint them]. They’re not planned, rather made on a whim. It’s a kind of a creative hash out,” smiles Calloway, who takes commissions for fine art sculpture and has artwork in commercial spaces and private collections around the Upstate.
Until they arrive to discuss a project, see a gallery show, or take a class, most visitors to Calloway’s creative incubator and workshop don’t realize what rich history the space has. “We’re in the Sterling neighborhood, which is right beside the Judson Mill community,” reveals Calloway. “This building originally housed a machine shop that [serviced and renovated] parts for the textile mills. So there is already a history here of metalworking,” one that Calloway is honored to continue today. “Bring it on,” the artist laughs.
Creative Ironworks, 12 Andrews St., Greenville, 864.386.5546, creativeironworks.net
