PAUL REILLY

Originally from rural Oklahoma, Paul Reilly developed a great love for forged metalwork at a young age. This led him to begin his career in the metalworking field by forging knives. Soon after, inspired by the beauty and skill of traditional architectural blacksmithing, he began his formal study of this craft at the American College of the Building Arts where he is pursuing a BA
in Architectural Blacksmithing. Paul Reilly has worked with four different master smiths as well as for several companies in this field including Wiemann Metalcraft and Robert Thomas Iron design. Trained and accomplished in traditional blacksmithing techniques and design, Paul Reilly brings contemporary designs to life through the methods that have been used for
hundreds of years. Paul Reilly believes hand-forged ironwork should be distinguished from the fine arts by the incorporation of functionality. The purpose of hand-forged ironwork should be the simultaneous achievement of functionality and beauty, thereby attempting to bridge the gap between usefulness and art. Paul’s vision is to impress his creative thoughts and ideas into the iron, thereby creating innovative work that is unique to him and his craft while remaining part of the blacksmithing tradition. Paul desires to be a living part of the tradition of hand-forged ironwork while also advancing the history and culture of his craft.