Friday, March 3, 5 p.m.—BRANDON—Wrought iron and steel accents add a special element of warmth to the Brandon Artists Guild in Metal Madness, a one-man show featuring the works of Dick Kirby. Lamps, weathervanes, candleholders, and coat racks are just a few of Kirby’s pieces that will be shown.
Kirby combines his talent of drawing with metal in creating his gallery work. His custom work can represent any kind of imagery, such as automobiles, sailboats, and animals. He is also willing to try and help with metal repairs, large and small.
The community of Brandon and the Brandon Artists Guild is fortunate to have Dick Kirby as a member. He is quick to see what needs to be done and does it, such as coming in daily to give breaks to the gallery attendants and keeping the sidewalks snow free. His cheery personality is always welcome. He is one of the original members of the gallery.
As a young man, Kirby served his country and learned the basic skills of welding. After surviving Korea, he continued his military career and honed his welding skills working on the Redstone Rockets in Alabama. Some of the work involved climbing very high to construct rocket launch gantries which were inspected thoroughly and had to be perfect.
After serving in the military, Kirby accepted a job as a lineman for Central Vermont Public Service, which he did for 37 years. He raised his four children in Brandon. He was active in Little League and served on the Pico Mountain ski patrol.
Debbie Kirby, Dick’s wife, is known locally for her fiber art business. Together they raised and bred miniature angora goats. The Kirbys can be seen regularly at the summer Brandon Farmers Market, each selling their own work together.
The opening reception of Metal Madness will be held Friday March 3, 5-7 p.m., and will be on exhibit through April 30.
The Brandon Artists Guild is at 7 Center St., Brandon. Winter gallery hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call 802-247-4956 or visit brandonartistsguild.org.
Photo courtesy of Karen Deets
Metal weathervanes are a specialty of artist Dick Kirby, and will be on display at the Brandon Artist Guild until April 30, as part of the one-man exhibit Metal Madness.
