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Fine Architectural Metalsmiths and Center for the Metal Arts: Carrying on Traditions, Inspiring New Generations

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Written by George L. Nitti George L. Nitti

Category: Art and Photography Art and Photography

Over the winter, I went to Fine Architectural Metalsmiths (FAM) and their Center for the Metal Arts (CMA), to get a taste of the art of metalsmithing. Located in the village of Florida, NY, in a renovated icehouse from the 1890’s, it is one of those rare combinations of customized forge work, educational workshops and a gallery showcasing a large diversity of metal works.

With the affable and very knowledgeable director Rhoda Mack to guide me along the way, I was introduced to what is also referred to as the “ice forge.”  For an initiate like myself, there was a lot to take in, much more than an afternoon would allow.  I started with a tour of their gallery, where you will find amazing artistic creations and art forms, railings and lighting fixtures, restoration projects, interior and exterior forged railings, formfolded metal, unique art pieces, metal tools, and designs and drawings that serve as the blue print for past and future projects. 

I was very impressed with several samples of work. One of them was a sharp-shinned hawk bronze casting, a highly realistic and interpretive piece. Full scaled, with careful detailing, it’s magnificent, both in the exact resemblance of a hawk and its equisite detail. I was also amazed by a collaborative project created in association with stained glass maker Sun Dog Studio. It was a curved metal shaped table inlaid with stained glass with a colored crane at the center, exemplifying fine craftsmanship and artistry.  I secretly coveted a pair of bookends, shaped in perfect parellogram, with two figures on each side of the bookend pushing against it. I marveled at the precision, wondering how metal could be shaped so exact. 

To see more works from their gallery, visit http://www.iceforge.com/Pages/Showroom.html.

Before leaving the gallery, a quote by Jaspar Johns caught my attention, expressing the nature of creating art. It began “Do something. Do something to that, and do something to that….Eventually the piece tells me it’s complete.” Art, be it metal or some other artistic avenue, happens in the doing. When asking Rhoda its significance, she stated “to challenge us onto the next possibility in a design and not to stop short. It’s easy to stop short and say I am done.”

At the gallery, Rhoda pointed out the connection of the metal arts with other disciplines. “Geometry, metallurgy, art history, period styles, architecture, design, anthropology, fine arts - all cross over into this ancient art form.” Forging metal requires precise measurement common to the science of math and geometry – triangles, squares, curves – all are repeating motifs in many of the designs.

Metallurgy, which relates to the physical and chemical behavior of metal, is another important subject to master when practicing this craft. Knowing the difference between metals and how each responds to heat, for example, is the subject of metallurgy. Rhoda says, “Knowing that copper is more malleable than aluminum, which is brittle, is essential knowledge.  Knowing how they respond to heat and under what conditions is also essential. You have to know these basics. You have to know what you can or cannot do.”

 Since many of the samples in their gallery are restoration related, familiarity with art history and working within specific period styles, be it classical, renaissance, gothic, victorian,  art deco, modern, etc., also informs a preference and methodology of working.  A single major project that came out of FAM illustrates this point.

Several years back, FAM was commissioned to build a new courtyard gate based on the historic gate at the 72^nd street entrance of the Dakota, which are private residences in NYC that consist of the famous apartments where John Lennon and Yoko Ono lived.  The project brought together many of the facets of working in a rich, complex art form. According to Rhoda, “there were many changes replicating so many processes. Traditional forgework, mold making, chisel work, renaissance sheet work and classical blacksmithing all played a part. The exquisite forge scroll work presented a technical challenge.”

FAM was established in 1981 by Rhoda’s husband, Ed Mack, for the purpose of carrying out custom forge work such as driveway and garden gates, railing and grilles, and signature lighting, in period and original styles. Their team of Metalsmiths have won numerous awards as a result of their fine craftmanship. In 2012, Mack was awarded the prized Julius Blum award for his outstanding contribution to the metal arts and fabrication industry. “Team effort is very important to Ed,” says Rhoda. “It’s always been very important for him to find what each person is good at and find ways to offer opportunities to do that. It gives him a lot of pleasure to see them doing something they love.”

Then in 2003 they opened the Center for the Metal Arts for the purpose of educating the public on blacksmithing, keeping the art alive by inviting guest speakers and master practitioners to conduct workshops and classes that provide hands on learning to people that want to learn about metal.  Rhoda says, “If it’s not passed on, it dies. It’s not something to be learned from a book.” Ed’s interest in innovative technologies and design ideas and his love of freely sharing resources is at the core mission for this Center. Rhoda says, “This place has had to do with Ed’s vision and wide ranging interests where he was able to bring a lot of disciplines together.”

Since opening the Center, amongst some of the classes they have offered include blacksmithing, copper foldforming, creative pipe forging, forged tabletop sculpture and free form power hammer forging. I watched a workshop led by Jon Ledford, who taught a class on making animal faces from metal - from start to finish. 

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Photos by Carolyn Moran Photography

Jon has been working in this profession since his youth and apprenticed under his father for many years, before he struck out on his own. He now serves the facility through teaching at the Center and carrying out the various projects that are commissioned through FAM. One of Jon’s passions within the metal arts is tool making, as he showed me over a dozen tools that he has created to help other blacksmith’s in the process of working in the medium.

In addition to learning how to use the equipment is acquiring techniques in forging metal, which means to form the metal into a shape while it is hot enough to do so, hence the expression “strike the iron while it’s hot.”  At Jon’s workshop, I saw some of the techniques involved in using tools to sculpt the faces, Jon giving instruction like: “You don’t want to go too deep with the center punch;” “You have to work quick;”  “You have to round off the corners like this;” Acquiring a sense of timing is also important, as you will be multi-tasking when your “irons are in the fire.” Knowing when to take the irons out and when to put them back in and what to do with yourself in between is all a part of the process and part of the wisdom acquired along the way.

Every year the Center particularly looks forward to their big yearly event in August, when the highly acclaimed Charles Lewton-Brain comes to town to demonstrate and teach the art of foldforming, which is a “a synthesis of the Japanese art of origami with forging and other metalsmithing techniques.” The event is billed as an “idea fest for jewelers, sculptors, metal arts designers” as one learns how to fold various metals into shapes, employing a variety of techniques. 

I had a wonderful afternoon discovering the achievements of FAM, learning about the Center and spending time with the people who play a role in shaping, teaching or learning about the metal arts. Later, entering their office, I viewed the display of awards and an eclectic collection of books that form their library. “Books have intrigued Ed from Impressionism, popup books to the classic metal arts techniques,” says Rhoda.

It all comes together here – where knowledge meets practice. For Rhoda and Ed Mack, it’s a fitting conclusion – much to be proud of, much to look forward to - preserving traditions and inspiring new generations to come.

Lesson 1: Get on the Road of your Dreams

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Written by George L. Nitti George L. Nitti

Category: Letters from My Father: Lessons I've Learned Letters from My Father: Lessons I've Learned

In 1988 I was working at the American Stage Company in Teaneck, NJ.  I graduated from the University of Michigan in 1986 and decided I wanted to become an actor. Around that time I moved to NYC, studied at several acting schools and had dreams of "making it" as an actor.

At the American Stage Company, under the artistic direction of actor Paul Sorvino, I worked backstage as an assistant stage manager for the upcoming roster of productions and it was my goal to get an equity card through serving an internship, as it would give me the ability to audition at Equity Theatre Productions and get hired as an actor in professional theatre. 

My uncle Frank met the producers of the American Stage Company on a bus enroute to Atlantic City, where he played poker on a regular basis. He was a former bookie dating back to the 50’s and parlayed most of his money into real estate by the 60’s, choosing to lead a more straight and narrow life, after he got married.

Uncle Frank gave me sobering advice about becoming an actor. He told me it was a numbers game with very poor odds. The sooner I realized that the better.  It was also the very handsome and dear family friend Robert Krugman from Ridgewood, NJ, where I grew up, who who shed light on the challenges of the trade. He frequently talked to me about his ambitions of pursuing acting in the 1950’s when he was enrolled at the Actor’s Studio. He recounted how all the actors he knew were lining up to become the next James Dean. As good looking and talented as he was, those doors didn't open for him. He would become a fashion designer, where he had a long and satisfying career. He seemed to elude the possiblity that a similar fate may await me, yet not to be disappointed if it did.

The biggest question I had in my life at the time was what will happen to me? Will I make it? And it was my father whom I could turn to for advice, knowing that he wasn’t going to admonish me for my choices. He would serve as a constant support, both financially when I needed it and when I was starved for career guidance.

This letter that arrived helped pacify me, giving me solace that I could not really know the answer to that question - for the future was unwritten.

Dec. 2^nd 1988

Dear George,

'What will happen to me in this only life I am destined to have,' you ask. You have chosen a more unorthodox career so you have to face a longer struggle – perhaps. Perhaps you will soon get your precious “card.” You have made new friends including Hemingway so the road you travel is not without riches.

Success is a danger, only misery loves company. Life is an enigma for my spry 97 year old patient who bemoans the fact that the insurance will not cover his medical bills. I tell him at his age he is immune but he finds his inability to pay a great injury to his pride. Pauperism is one of man’s greatest fears.

The world is so constituted in complexity that it is only necessary to travel on any road and in any direction to participate in its many wonders, and then because it is round return to where one started. The whole expedition essentially accomplishing nothing, yet everything for such is the destiny we are condemned to with all the thrills to be found along the road.

At least in the arts and periphery there exists a more fertile ambience for intellectual communication. Your cousin Joseph might be considered along with yourself to have learned what the educational process had hoped to convey. You both are curious, self-reliant and interestingly, first-born and blood.

Have faith, continued faith, in yourself. What you have chosen is noble and you, able. You will prevail when the others falter.

There is no guarantee for your success nor is there for anyone. All of life is a mystery, making no sense to prince or pauper.

I have just examined a good lady who has an abnormal shadow on a recent mammography. The only way to tell if this is malignant is to do a biopsy and to do this the patient needs to be put to sleep. She has been scheduled in 1 week. Until then her life is in a state of suspended animation because if this is breast cancer whatever other struggles her road has will be deferred. She will worry until the biopsy – fortunately, the odds are good that the shadow is insignificant, not quite good enough not to biopsy.

 For me a case, a fee, a presence in the operating room at The Valley Hospital.

Enjoyed your letter. Love Dad.

The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood NJ was where my father practiced medicine for over thirty years, dating back to the 60’s.

In this letter there is plenty to chew on.

My father refers to the road on several occasions. That road he referred to is “the road” that is our journey in this life, like the road from The Wizard of Oz, “The Road less Traveled” from Robert Frost or On the Road with Jack Kerouac. The road is a lovely metaphor for the journe we find ourselves on.  Each road leads to another destination where our most important pursuit is finding the meaning along the way. For me, that road has become like the hero's journey, the mythical voyage about which Joseph Campbell wrote, and in which we are the heroes.

As a teacher, which I would later become, "the road" was rich and suggestive. I worked to instill that idea in my students and to get them to see their own journey's as magical, where they are the heroes just like Odysseus, Dorothy and so many others.

One thing was for sure. I would pick up the language of the road and understand it as a place for the journey we are on. Somehow this wonderful, mythical journey begins and ends on a road. Our own unique road, whether we choose it or not.  It is ours, we own it and eventually the road becomes us.

Where will the road lead? I learned that tomorrow always brings something new on this road. I’m starting to carve out my own little niche. I’m learning too, that it is never too late to get on the road to your dreams.

Resurrecting Emily Post and Essential Manners for Men and Couples

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Written by George L. Nitti George L. Nitti

Category: Books and Writing Books and Writing

This weekend (3/17/13) there was an intriguing lecture at the Tuxedo Library entitled the Essential Manners for Men, given by author Peter Post, the great grandson of the famed Emily Post. He spent the good portion of his time providing an overview of Emily Post’s life while discussing the family role to help carry out her legacy.

Peter Post is the managing director of the Emily Post Institute and author of 5 books on manners –for men, couples, business people, and golfers. Central to his discussion was clarifying the role etiquette plays in our lives. Post stressed that etiquette is a means of building relationships and a way to prevent problems. Key points included:  

1.)    it’s not what you decide, it’s how you decide to do it, that matters.

2.)    That perspective really matters

3.)    To think before you act

In Manners for Couples, Post writes, “Etiquette is not about being excessively or insincerely polite with each other, or living by a set of artificial rules.” Rather it is acting with consideration, respect and honesty.

Emily Post was born in Tuxedo Park in 1872, the daughter of architect Bruce Price, who was responsible for the planning and development of Tuxedo Park. Some interesting facts about Emily Post:

• She married once only - in 1892 and divorced in 1906
• She enjoyed acting in her youth, but was discouraged from pursuing it.
• She wrote numerous books, some of which are out of print and are hard to get a hold of, like How to Behave though a Debutante.
• She was an architectural consultant and talented designer.
• When asked to publish a book on Etiquette, she said to the publisher “It’ll be a small book. I haven’t got much to say. The whole subject can be reduced to a few simple rules.”
• She had a popular radio show in the 1930’s, as a talk show host.
• She was an activist, against prohibition.
• She was one of Life Magazine’s most important people of the 20^th century.
• She lived a long life, dying in 1960 and is buried in Tuxedo Park.

After the lecture I purchased a copy of Essential Manners for Couples.  Having started reading it, I’m looking forward to continue working at building a more positive relationship with my significant other. With ample tips fostering good manners, I hope to achieve that result. I also look forward to discovering the life of Emily Post through her writings and biography.

Letter2: “Count your blessings and have faith in them”

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Written by George L. Nitti George L. Nitti

Category: Letters from My Father: Lessons I've Learned Letters from My Father: Lessons I've Learned

August, 1985

The summer of 85' was a big turning point in my life. I was at the University of Michigan studying an intensive unit of Japanese language, during one of the hottest months on record. At least it seemed that way. I had just broken up with a girl I had been going out with in the springtime of 85’ and between the loss and lost feeling of what I was going to do with my life, I was feeling depressed. Not clinically. Just normal feelings of depression that accompany loneliness, when one is adrift, uncertain, hurt and filled with lingering sadness. 

My father wanted me to continue to pursue my studies in Japanese. In 1983 - 1984 I went to Japan as a foreign exchange student, spent another year at Michigan studying Japanese language and now was enrolled in a 3^rd year intensive language class where the stakes were higher. Either you make it or you move on. And I was getting ready to move on. What I thought I knew about Japanese language was miniscule to what was expected of me, requiring more time studying in a solitary situation with books that were as dry as anatomy. I just couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel where my future was awaiting. I expressed those feelings to my father and he responded.

Dear George,

I was sitting in on a conversation in the doctors lounge where Dr. Rosin was expounding on the tremendous strides the Japanese are making in all walks of enterprises.

What he says makes sense and there is little doubt about the fact that they will and are the dominate factor in the world today. Let us not kid ourselves. There will be many places for you to do what you would like to do because of the sacrifices you make today. As an American you will belong to a very special minority that has the tools of language and culture that will be able to communicate with a culture that right now is giving this country a run for its money. We, fortunately, live in times of compromise rather than collision, and this requires mediators, whether in business or on the political scene.

Your assets in your chosen field of study will someday be of considerable use, but what that use will be can only be determined when you arrive at that someday, for it will be governed by those opportunities available then. When you would write from Japan you would emphasize the importance of doing what is necessary every day and that the future would take care of itself. This applies as much now. More so, because each one of us inevitably goes through periods of doubt, or just bad times, and these unfortunately work against our purposes, or goals. It’s usual to second guess, smell our armpits and have concern about our ultimate destiny. Unfortunately, destiny has its own plans for our future and they can never be foreseen. But preparation becomes the only tool we have to alter destiny and that you are doing.

Do you think you would ever be considered for admission to so esteemed institutions in Japan without the present background you have and have worked so hard at to earn? George, damn it, you have busted your ass and should feel proud of what you are achieving. You have not been standing still. God-willing you will graduate from one of the best universities in this country. Don’t’ dwell so much on being the best as being you. In the end you will win your struggle because you persevere. But look forward to a brightness in your future. You will eventually get the opportunity to do what you are destined to do. But each day you prepare, you alter ultimately and enlarge your destiny.

From a selfish standpoint of a parent maybe being a little wiser, or maybe not, though I feel for your suffering and ache for your misery, I think this love you’ve had may have arrived too early for what remains and can be done by only you, alone.  Love, Dad

P.S. Received both your letters. You sound much better. Keep it up.

In that letter my father had enclosed a NY Times article by Clyde Haberman entitled “Japan 40 Years After War: Rich, Powerful, Uneasy.” The article centered around Japan’s role as an emerging international player on the scene of foreign affairs against the backdrop of their national identity and my father envisioned a role somewhere in there for me. But I couldn’t see that future. Too much uncertainty clouded the path. It was one thing to pursue a life as a doctor, where at the end of medical school, you knew the outcome – you would be practicing medicine somewhere. But not so as a diplomat or person on the world scene, business, political or otherwise. Maybe Kissinger knew where he was directing his footsteps. I had no clue where I was directing mine. I couldn't see myself going to Washington like Mr. Smith.

My father’s letters consoled me, despite his nudging. I didn’t feel that he was telling me what to do, just trying to guide me and encourage me to stick to a path. As for responding to my depression at the time, particularly over the end of a relationship, he wrote:

Dear George

The old song, “Grab your coat and get your hat, leave your worries on the doorstep, just direct your feet to the sunny side of the street. I used to walk in the shade, with my blues on parade…….life could be so sweet, on the sunny side of the street.”

Let’s work on cheering up and doing the things we like to do. Most of us got troubles and to each of us these are the biggest things in the world. The idea is to pretend, lie about how we feel, but get going and press living. And if we hit bottom occasionally, look how much there is to look forward to climbing back up.

As a matter of fact most people hide their troubles for that reason. It doesn’t help. Most of the time dwelling on them holds you back from stepping out and enjoying yourself. If you think that Japanese is boring for eight hours a day, try anatomy for a lot longer, sometimes eighteen. You will find your proper niche in good time. In the meantime try to suffer as little as possible while you do your work….

By the fall of 1985, enrolled in my senior year at the University, I started to take control of “my destiny.” I took creative writing and acting classes and was filled with new hope. It wasn’t easy breaking the news to my father and I can only recall that he didn’t take it very well. To some extent his dreams were invested in me. But what was important were my dreams, not my father’s. And at the end of all of this he knew that and continued to stick with me, regardless. He came for the long ride and I was going to give him his money’s worth! One way or another it would all work out in the end. I knew that. My father’s road was long. Mine would probably be longer. The road is long when you are in the desert with only sand under your feet, a blistering sun above and a poor sense of direction to guide you out.

But I had faith in my dreams. My father had helped give me that. At the end of my father's letter, he said, "Your Uncle John always said, "Count your blessings and have faith in them too."" 

There were so many blessings. Like not being born in the desert. Or in poverty. I was a kid that was pretty well taken care of. Who was I really in the big scheme of everything?

Count your blessings. You're darn right. Above everything, count them and have faith in them. It's not so bad living in the land of plenty.

Spotlight: Peter Melnick Flooring, Inc.

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Written by George L. Nitti George L. Nitti

Category: Business Business

Peter Melnick and I sat down in his showroom and discussed his flooring and carpet business, located on 81 Windermere Ave in Greenwood Lake, NY on Feb. 28^th.

Melnick specializes in the sales and installation of quality carpet, laminate, pre-finished wood, vinyl and specialty flooring, such as cork and bamboo in addition to complete bathroom renovation and back splashes. He deals with many reputable manufacturers including Mannington, Mohawk, Shaw and others.

How long have you been in business?

For over 40 years. My father started the business in Rockland County in 1971. I learned the trade early working for my father while going to Don Bosco High School until graduating from Pace University.  I took over the business with his passing in 1996, and moved the business to Greenwood Lake.

 What did you learn from your father?

Honesty and Integrity are very important in running a business. Whatever you say to a customer, you stick by your word. We’ve stayed in business for a long period of time for that reason.

What are your favorite aspects of the business?

Getting out into the field and doing the actual installations of the products I sell along with Dave , my foreman. Customer satisfaction is critical. The key thing I try to do is find the need of the customer and puts those ideas into action.

What are some of your recent projects?

• Basement carpet  in Monroe
• Installing luxury vinyl tile in West Milford
• Complete bathroom renovation in West Milford
• Prefinished wood flooring in Greenwood Lake

Do you feel that you have to compete with Home Depot and Lowes?

No – we offer personalized service right from the sale to the installation of the products, which you are not going to get at the box stores. Their salesperson may have limited knowledge,  they send an independent measuring person and then the work is subcontracted?  Who do you call if you have a problem?  Do you honestly believe that you are going to pay $99 for your whole house installation or be given two additional rooms of flooring for the price of 1 like Empire promises? In most cases I can meet or beat the total job cost of these stores.

Where can we learn more about your business?

My website is filled with a wealth of information (http://www.pmelnickflooring.com), including tips on selecting and caring for tile and managing wood floors, pictures of our showroom and a range of jobs that we have done. Mention that you checked out my website you will receive a 10% discount on any carpeting order.

Peter Melnick Flooring is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 – 5 p.m., Saturday from 10-3 p.m. and Thursday from 10 – 7 p.m., anytime by appointment, shop at home service also available. Just call 477-0520

Project Knomad Comes of Age

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Written by Donna Kaminski Donna Kaminski

Category: Education Education

Local artist and skateboarder Ian Sharp inspired many in his dream of bringing community together through creativity and the Arts. After his death on March 25^th, 2012, his family and friends came together to continue his creative legacy, developing his ideas as the Art of IS. When they heard Ian’s fellow skateboarder Jon Lawrence was talking with local skaters about a way to make Warwick’s skate park better the two groups came together.

Project Knomad is fast becoming the hub of a wheel of creative spokes for community driven ideas and endeavors. Starting with the initiative called PK Skate Park, Project Knomad is bringing together Warwick youth and community to improve the park while working on creating a better one. The PK Skate Team consists of Jon, local skaters and Softrucks inventor, Joe Raia. The team is busy creating video, proposals and a petition to collect signatures of support while working on designs for t-shirts, stickers and skateboards.

Moving forward, Project Knomad anticipates more connection with the Warwick community, planning events that everyone can enjoy. Plans include the aforementioned improvement project, art exhibit, creative activities and a community picnic to take place this spring, summer and early fall.

PK Skate Team recently participated in a Team Building Workshop given by team skills facilitator, Lisa Coffey. Games focusing on developing trust, communication, values, goals and team work skills were enjoyed by the participants. More arts and creativity workshops are planned.

To become part of Project Knomad or for more information, visit our Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/114534938707667/  or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.