Reprinted from the Candler Park Conservancy Newsletter
The New Candler Park Sign
Last week [early May] we [the Candler Park Conservancy] installed a new Candler Park sign at the corner of McLendon Ave and Candler Park Drive. This excellent new piece of neighborhood art was designed, fabricated and installed by Ryan Durrett of Durrett Forge and Fab.
He was kind enough to share some information about himself and his process.
How did you get started doing what you do?
I got started doing metal work because I wanted to make a bicycle rack for my motorcycle when I was 21 years old. That led me to going to school for welding where my great uncle (a now-retired blacksmith) gave me some work and introduced me to my first full time job, working for a very talented blacksmith and sculpture Michael Dillon.
What did it take to make the CP logo sign?
For this sign, we used a CNC plasma cutter to cut the letters and design from steel plate. This sign was big enough where it had to come from two 4’x8’ sheets. The framing is all hand bent solid 1/2” square stock that frame the circle and make the arched supports and they are all welded to the vertical supports that are cemented 3’ into the dirt.
What kind of work do you?
The work I do is all over the place. Signs are pretty common. I do a lot of railings, both simple and sculptural. I do a good bit of sculpture for other artists and myself. I’ve become pretty popular for doing steel and glass doors. I recently did a patinated brass bar and counter top for a wine room that won best wine room in the Georgia design awards.
I did an HGTV show called “Lil Jon wants to do What!?” (Season 2 episode 1) where I built a sculptural wine room door and wooden wine bottle rack. I have another HGTV show coming up this month where I’m building a sculptural kitchen range hood. I did bronze accents for a home theater for the CEO of Lockheed Martin. I make a LOT furniture. I’m very lucky to be able to get to build such a wide range of things.
You can check out more of Ryan’s work at his website, or on his Instagram account @ryandurrett.