Did you know the “R” in KRL doesn’t actually stand for Renaissance?
It might as well.

That one word sums up Kelly’s approach to life as a sculptor, fabricator, consultant and metal arts instructor. He reimagines materials to solve complex challenges. He renews curiosity and reverence for metal, not just as an industrial staple shaping the world around us, but as a creative force reshaping the world within us. And he reignites the spark of ingenuity in his students, expanding what’s possible through hands-on learning and molten inspiration.

Growing up on a Midwestern dairy and hog farm meant there was always something to fix - or invent. Those early years taught him to see both beauty and utility in every scrap of metal. A tractor seat might become the face of a gargoyle; a fuel tank, the body of a life-sized elephant; a garbage chute, a bulldog mid-snarl.

College opened the door to sculpture, and with it, a new way of thinking. Kelly discovered that while he couldn’t draw or throw a pot, he could build. And building, it turns out, is its own form of art. Decades in the prop industry and countless creative collaborations later, he’s gathered an ever-expanding library of skills that he now loves sharing with others.

Kelly’s mission is simple:
To help people connect with the transformative experience of working with metal, whether through foundry, blacksmithing, welding, or all three. If you’ve ever felt the call of fire and form, you’re in the right place.

Curious where to begin? Use the human-powered chat widget in the lower right corner of your screen to start a conversation about upcoming workshops or custom learning experiences. Whether you’re ready to pick up a torch for the first time or refine your pour technique, Kelly’s always happy to help you find the right fit. Just don’t be surprised if he’s mid-weld when you message. He’ll get back to you as soon as the sparks settle.