Steel Sculptor Visits Ms. Strauss's Class To Talk About Art Careers

Ryan Schmidt, a stainless steel sculptor from Arkansas, visited Ms. Strauss's painting class to talk about the creative process and the mechanics of an art career. He is a participating artist in the Coconut Grove Art Festival this weekend. Schmidt shared about growing up without a television and his education making things. He also described the difference between welding and casting metals. Students asked questions about how he markets his work. He has sold work in Dubai and California. His most recent purchase went to Ms. DeVos, the US Secretary of Education, who is a big patron of the arts in Michigan.

Mr. Schmidt is interested in the reflective quality of stainless steel and is inspired by Anish Kapoor. His works take 3 times as long to polish as to create from drawing to sculpture!