For the Love of Metal
Photos Clément Pascal
Looking to smith some metal, but barred from your alma mater’s studios? Lucky for you Erin Daily and Brian Weissman recently opened Brooklyn Metal Works in Prospect Heights, a 2,700-square-foot converted factory floor where you can rent a studio, or even just a bench. But it’s more than just studio space—the semi-private setup encourages metalsmiths to engage with each other. “Brooklyn has a sizable and diverse jewelry and metals community, but it is not as well connected as we think it can be,” Daily tells us. “What we are hoping to do is bring artists together, build the Brooklyn and NYC community, and give people a place to see new work, learn from artists from around the world, and create a place where people from the many walks of jewelry and metalsmithing can meet and commingle.”
They also want to reach out to those who don’t know metalsmiths from Adam Smith by offering classes, studio access, and a gallery for finished work. “We believe that the complementary studio-teaching-gallery environment will enhance interest and appreciation of the work and our field,” Daily adds. So far, she says, interest has been strong. “People are really excited that we are here and that we are going to give the metals community a home.”
640 Dean Street, Prospect Heights
bkmetalworks.com