Artist: John Holler | Location: Leesville, SC
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Artist: John Holler | Location: Leesville, SC
Leesville, SC
I became a blacksmith after going through a traditional craftsman education of four years as an apprentice, and then working as a journeyman. I was extremely fortunate to have apprenticed under two master smiths: Jay Close and Richard Guthrie, both of Virginia, as well as under Lance Crow who was a successful modern blacksmith in Asheville, NC.
As a journeyman, I worked with Ted Shuster in his shop in Iowa, making wrought iron furniture for architects and designers in Chicago. I also worked at Les Metalliers Champenois in New Jersey restoring ironwork in Newport, RI, as well as NYC. I spent additional time learning from Yao, a nephew of the renown Charleston blacksmith Philip Simmons.
I am originally from Columbia, SC and currently reside in Leesville where I work in my shop making custom wrought iron of both my own, and of clients’ designs.
As an artist, I adhere to traditional techniques. My ironwork is hand forged in a coal fire and worked with hand tools.