Kaviar Forge and Gallery, Louisville

Kaviar Forge and Gallery, situated in Louisville’s Clifton neighborhood, is a distinctive blend of a working blacksmith studio and fine art gallery. Founded by renowned sculptor and blacksmith Craig Kaviar, the space functions as both a hub for artistic creation and a venue for rotating exhibitions featuring over 100 regional and national artists. Visitors are welcomed into an environment where traditional metalworking coexists with contemporary painting, ceramics, and jewelry-all displayed just steps away from the forge itself.

For more than three decades, Craig Kaviar has crafted functional and sculptural iron and bronze pieces that now adorn public institutions, churches, libraries, and hospitals across Kentucky. Among his most recognized commissions are the sculptural gates at the Labrot & Graham Distillery, installations at the Kentucky Center, and a prominent copper and bronze fountain at Owensboro Hospital. Kaviar’s influence extends beyond local borders-his work has been featured at the World's Fair in Japan and he participated in a cultural exchange in Mainz, Germany, where he honored Gutenberg with a sculptural tribute.

Kaviar’s practice is rooted in traditional techniques but often incorporates modern themes and organic forms, featuring intricate bird and leaf motifs, as well as architectural elements such as handrails and garden furniture. His creative ethos includes reimagining industrial tools for peaceful purposes-such as transforming wartime machinery into instruments of art. In addition to showcasing his work, Kaviar teaches and mentors young blacksmiths, helping preserve and evolve a centuries-old craft. The gallery and forge, accessible by appointment, provide a rare glimpse into this intersection of heritage craftsmanship and contemporary expression.