Trenton Tye’s blacksmith/woodworking skills land Arts Council exhibit’s Best in Show

ALBANY — Given the success he’s enjoyed during a unique career that includes one-of-a-kind on-demand blacksmith/woodworking artistic creations, his work on TV series like “Forged in Fire” and “American Horror Story,” and creations used in the new “Star Wars” series of films, Trenton Tye is no stranger to the limelight.

But even Tye was a little surprised Thursday when his “Forged Pecan and Steel Vanity” and “Compass Rose Firescreen” landed him Best in Show honors at the Albany Area Arts Council’s 24th annual Southwest Georgia Regional Fine Art Exhibit and Sale.

“I didn’t bring this piece expecting to win anything, it was more just to show off a little,” Tye, whose Pergatory Ironworks in tiny Morgan has become an in-demand business, said. “People can, I think, appreciate these pieces for what they are, but I don’t think anyone in the building knows the technical aspects of creating this work. The tenon joints alone are so intricate, forged in 1- to 1 1/4-inch metal … and that’s just part of the blacksmith work.

“I don’t know how many people would call this artwork, but I have this thing I say to people who call themselves artists: The difference between what you do and what I do is I make money.”

Tye’s work is part of an exhibit that includes pieces by 52 artists who entered works in three categories: sculpture and ceramics, photography and digital art, and painting and mixed media. The top three finishers and an honorable mention entry were named in each category. Keaton Wynn, a professor of art at Georgia Southwestern State University, judged the exhibit.

Top finishers included Karla Noble Lewis’ “Dead Turtle” in the painting and mixed media category, Ansley Simmons’ “Experiment No. 18” in the photography and digital art category, and Scott Marini’s “False Sense of Security” in the sculpture and ceramics category.

Arts Council Executive Director Nicole Willis said she continues to be impressed not just by the artwork that was shown in this year’s exhibit but in the growing local arts scene as well.

“I think the quality of artwork is really excellent this year, but then again, I think I say that every year,” Willis said. “I don’t know if it might possibly be in the moment, but I generally am excited by the work in this exhibit each year.

“I’m also excited about the local arts community that is developing. We’ve been involved in that effort by building a roster of artists on our online directory and offering various opportunities for them. To add to that, it’s pretty exciting the number of first-time artists who contributed to this year’s exhibit. That’s really cool; it adds to that building arts scene.”

Other top finishers in the Fine Art Exhibit and Sale included:

Painting and Mixed Media

Second Place — Ken Garey, “Deeper Dive”

Third Place — Kern Cunningham, “Siddhartha’s Garden”

Honorable Mention — Margaret Ligon, “Fall Beginning”

Photography and Digital Art

Second Place — Gary Dyes, “Time Traveler”

Third Place — Kat Blaise, “Lady Pompeii”

Honorable Mention — Therese Atkins, “Broken Recovery”

Sculpture and Ceramics

Second Place — Lexi Glass, “Beatrice”

Third Place — Ann Hagin, “Bird”

Honorable Mention — Sheridon Lambert, “Emerge”

Staff Photo: Carlton FletcherStaff Photo: Carlton Fletcher

Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher

Staff Photo; Carlton Fletcher