Studio Lead Spotlight - James Makely

Meet James - MEtal Studio Lead

What drew you to this art form?

I got hooked on blacksmithing when I was 12. I was at a county fair and saw someone working with fire and steel—an anvil, a hammer, glowing hot metal—it was like watching magic. I didn’t even know what it was at the time, but I knew I had to learn. I spent years teaching myself from library books before eventually deciding to apprentice. That decision brought me to Colorado, and I’ve been working with metal ever since.
 

What made you stick with it?

I’ve always been driven to make things—designing and working with my hands is just something I can’t quit. What really keeps me in it is the material itself. Iron and steel are so flexible, so full of possibility. You can dream up just about anything and figure out how to make it happen. That challenge keeps pulling me back.
 

Favorite thing you’ve ever made?

It’s hard to choose, but two pieces stand out. I helped design and build a WWI memorial in Belgium alongside 200+ artists—that was incredibly meaningful. Closer to home, I co-created a sculptural steel gate for the Benson Sculpture Garden in Loveland. It’s made of tall, organic steel forms that look like grasses with seed heads. I’m really proud of both.
 

How did your parents feel about you becoming an artist?

They didn’t entirely get it, but my dad was actually the first person to call me an artist. I remember him watching me work one day—coal fire going, sweat pouring down, and apparently a huge smile on my face. He went back inside and told my mom, “We have a problem.” But honestly, he was supportive. He gave me space to work, helped me track down tools, and taught me how to build things—and how to think like a builder. I still use some of the equipment he helped me find.
 

Favorite class to teach?

I love teaching the Totem class. It’s imaginative, playful, and every student brings something completely different to the table. Watching people bring all these wild ideas together into one sculptural form—it’s just fun.
 

Where should someone start with metal?

There’s no single entry point—it depends on what excites you. If you’re curious about welding, take a class here and see what clicks. You can get a basic welding machine for home use pretty easily. If you’re more into forging, we’ve got great intro classes and there’s also a local blacksmithing group that’s super welcoming. Just try something and see where it leads.
 

If you weren’t doing metal, what would you want to explore instead?

Probably wood. I love working with it, and I’ve taught other things over the years, but wood has a familiar rhythm to it. That’s probably what I’d lean toward next..