Eighteen artist including works from private collections demonstrate the versatility of art forms using metal can be found in the Malleable Metal Exhibit now showing at the Jordan River Art Center, 301 Main Street, East Jordan. The artists were invited to participate because their works were unique.

For example is the “Hooded Chain Mail Coif” by Kelly Aydlott, Royal Oak, MI. Kelly will take orders for this wearable art made from 13,000 aluminum handmade rings using the 4 in 1 European stitch. Although Kelly is a computer whiz, he would rather be known as an artisan/craftsman making artistic objects with “woven links.” He has made replica armor, urban wear such as shirts and pants, jewelry, pouches, and other ornaments. He has made rings using cold steel, stainless steel, bronze, brass, copper, aluminum, sterling silver, titanium and neoprene rubber. Kelly is the nephew of Jerry and Linda Aydlott, East Jordan. Exquisite jewelry by Linda and small sculptural forms by Jerry are also included in the show.

Another unique “contraption” in the exhibit is the Opposing Lunger, Internal Combustion Engine of recycled parts by the late A.D. Graham of East Jordan. “A.D. was a man of tremendous mechanical skills. He saved parts from every type engine,” relates son, Tom, also of East Jordan. Walking into the shop,which is still used by Tom, one can see machines, for drilling, tooling and repairing mechanical machinery and tractors. Parts, and still more parts are visible everywhere with at least 12 different working contraptions displayed. Most of the compositions are “one lunger” or one piston, but the one seen in the picture is two lunger. The engine block are from a Briggs and Stratton lawnmowers, four flywheels are from gate valves from East Jordan Iron Works, the governor is from a Gravely Garden Tractor, the Timing Gear from a Model T Ford and includes several other miscellaneous parts. “It does work, but it is noisy,” added Tom.

The table with the glass top, lamp, wall hangings, and outdoor sculpture in the JRAC garden by Art Brown, Torchtip Iron Works, Inc., Central Lake, demonstrate his mastery in working with metal. Pictured is Art by his studio doors which shows his hand forged metal hardware.

Popular to all art patrons is the kinetic sculpture, “The Voyage of the Fleas” by Brian C. Salinger hanging by the entrance desk. It appears the fleas are either working or taking a joy rides as the “space vehicle” moves about. This is on loan from Kelly Snively. Another item is the stainless steel pagoda kindling box which must be opened to understand its uniqueness made by James Quinlaln, Cheboygan.

Other items in the exhibit are a wall hanging by Dan Roache, Petoskey; a granite and iron table by Steve Smith, Ney, Ohio; fine art iron flower sculptures by Mike Wolfe, Ann Arbor; works by Leslie Wolfe, made by her father “scraps; the variety of forms by John Unger, Mancelona; the jewelry and anger management items by Linda Barber, Rapid City; the recycled works by Ritch Branstrom, Rapid River; and the “Heron Chairon” by Joel Stoppel, Charlevoix.

Also Damascus Blades by Tim Zowada and Kevin Cashen, Michigan’s only nationally known blade makers and other blades from the collection of Jim Nowka. Traditional blacksmithing, only forging and hammering, is represented by Steve Anderson. The casting process is represented by Tim Leach and the works from the collection of Jane Diller. Unique from Jane’s collection is the chess set of bronze and silver by Dorothy Dehner, first wife of the famous American metal sculptor, David Smith. An exhibition in the lower gallery of mold parts, a wax model, and the final bronze casting of a life size portrait with photos demonstrates the lost wax casting process.

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