PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa
Contact: Kevin Ledgewood
pr@tuscarts.org
205-758-5195, x6
SCULPTURE BY TED METZ WILL BE FEATURED AT THE DINAH WASHINGTON CULTURAL ARTS CENTER IN NOVEMBER
(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) An exhibit of sculpture by artist Ted Metz titled “Tools of the Trades” will be on display in The Arts Council Gallery at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center November 1-27, 2019. An opening reception honoring the artist will be held on Friday, November 1 from 5-8 p.m. during the First Friday Art Walk.
The artist’s sculpture has evolved over recent years into abstract mixed media assemblages made from a wide variety of materials. Cast aluminum, cast bronze, cast glass, cast iron, vintage tools, antique foundry patterns, and various structural steels are his materials of choice and used in varying degrees in all of his recent work. Drawn to 19th century industrial design, innovation and industrial techniques, Metz utilizes old tools in the production of his work with those implements now finding their way into the sculpture. “I love the unknown history of these old tools and seek to honor the trades they represent,” said the artist.
When possible, Metz uses old materials which have an unknown history. He chooses not to alter these materials and surfaces through restoration or finishing. Instead, he allows the materials and the manner in which they were cast or fabricated stand. Rust, layout lines, welds, grinding marks and naturally distressed surfaces are important features of this work.
Born in Ohio, Ted Metz received the B.F.A from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va. and the M.F.A in sculpture from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C. He joined the faculty at the University of Montevallo in 1973 and retired after serving for over 43 years. During his tenure, he received several teaching awards including University Scholar, Distinguished Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Commitment to Teaching and Alabama Professor of the Year, a national award presented by the Carnegie Foundation.
Creatively, Metz has been successful in exhibiting his sculpture in numerous exhibitions including those in Venice and Cortona, Italy, and the National Gallery-Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. He received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and has been awarded the Visual Arts Fellowship from the State of Alabama in 1986 and 2014. He continues to be a productive sculptor, creating smaller indoor works while pursuing opportunities for large public commissioned work. He and his artist wife, Robin Nance Metz, maintain their studios in Montevallo, Ala.
Visit www.firstfridaytuscaloosa.com for a complete list of gallery spaces, exhibits and a map. Visit https://www.facebook.com/RobinAndTedMetz/ for more information about the artist and his current work.
The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center is located at 620 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, patrons should follow and like “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Twitter and also Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.
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