Blacksmith Arts at Nova Forge 308 11th St. W Madison, MN 56256 320.598.7858 genesnovaforge@yahoo.com Demonstrations, sales & custom orders of artistic traditional blacksmith crafts. Demonstrating at home studio Nova Forge Directions: 308 11th St. W (north edge of Madison) Artist Biography: Demonstrations, sales and custom orders of artistic traditional blacksmith crafts. In 1985 Gene began his self-taught journey of the blacksmith's craft and the quest to create beauty from iron. He began by building a coal forge, only to be told by his peers "That's nonsense, there aren't any plows to be sharpened anymore!" Being somewhat defiant, Gene continued along his path. The first several years passed with much frustration with his solo endeavor. Then with help and advice from several blacksmith friends from northern Minnesota, Gene's skills and shop began to evolve into what it is today. Gene also teaches the blacksmith craft through the Milan Village Arts School. One of his students, Robin Moore, has been working with Gene for six years, collaborating and doing her own custom iron work with Gene's continuing instruction. Gene's ornamental iron designs are unique and often one of a kind. Custom orders can either be the client's design, Gene's design, or a combination of both. Many times Gene's wife Latain and/or Robin also help in creating appropriate and lovely iron designs. Gene's work ranges from the ornamental like fire place sets, barbeque tools, picture frames, lawn ornaments, and wall hangings, to the structural (but still lovely) such as gates, step railings, fences, balconies, etc. The list is long and sometimes surprising, but Gene is always up for a new challenge, but he has not sharpened any plows to this very day. Gene's iron work can be found locally on Main St. Madison and near Java River in Montevideo, several local churches (such as the Rosen Catholic church and the Madison St. John's Church) and homes. Regionally, his work spreads from Appleton, Ortonville, Milan Dawson, Ely, Duluth, Park Rapids, Hibbing, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Mankato and Watertown S.D and as far away as Idaho, Iowa, Texas, Pennsylvania and Canada.