Kids' Art Class

More than a dozen kids from the Charlevoix Circle of Arts visited the Cycling Salamander today to be inspired by the show, "Out of the U.P.: Steel Sculpture by Gordon Gearhart" and by the sculptures by artists  Ritch Branstrom (Rapid River), Karin Kirulus (Chicago), Rick Kane, Karla and Bill Tye (Kalamazoo), Larry Halbert (Dundee), and Chester Morris (Charlevoix). After viewing the work the kids collected seeds, twigs, rocks and other material in order to create their found object sculptural pieces.  Here are a few of the camper's and their work.  Way to go campers!

Upcoming Show

Out of the U. P.

The Art of a Blacksmith Revealed

Steel Sculptures by 

Gordon Gearhart

Opening Reception

July 10, 2010

4 - 6 p.m.

Showing July 10 - August 31

Gordon E. Gearhart is an artist-blacksmith living and working in Marquette, Michigan. With a background in sheet metal and foundry work as well as basic blacksmithing skills, he pursued a degree in Industrial Technology at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. While attending NMU, Gordon enrolled in a blacksmithing course in the Department of Art and Design. From that point on, using iron and steel to explore sculptural and functional forms became the focus of study. Blacksmithing became the main means of working the materials of choice. After studying blacksmithing and sculpture under the direction of Art Professor Dale Wedig at NMU, Gordon began his business producing architectural, sculptural, and utilitarian metalwork.  His work took him across the country including Leadville, Colorado and Jacksonville, Florida before returning to Marquette in 1997 to open his studio.

Featured Artist - Ritch Branstrom

Cycling Salamander is excited to have the famous "can fish" by Rapid River artist Ritch Branstrom.  These fish are being caught quickly by our clients who love them as much as I do.   Ritch will even do special order fish.   One customer recently ordered a Bush's Bean fish to give to a friend who always eats a can of Bush's Baked Beans when his wife is away. Ritch has a variety of fish made from beer cans, juice cans and sport drinks and soda.   And yes you do want to look the fish in the mouth as Ritch usually signs each fish with his name, time and temperature at completion.  One thing you'll learn is that it is really cold in Rapid River for most of the winter months.      

Catch your fish today 

at Cycling Salamander.

More about Ritch

I recently met recycled artist Ritch Branstrom at his Rapid River Studio (the adhocworkshop) in the U.P. of Michigan.  The shop is an amazing array of Ritch's creations and works in progress. It would really be inane for me to try to describe his creations so I'll just post a few photos that I snapped. I have learned that Ritch doesn't really like to have his photo taken so if you stop at his studio, you'll have to snap a photo when he's not looking.

Here's Ritch as I first met him in the doorway of the Adhoc Workshop in Rapid River, MI  (30 or so minutes from Escanaba, MI)  To find out more visit his website