Thursday, July 1, 2010
Park Cities News
Potter Art Metal Studios celebrates 90 years of providing jewelry for the home
Potter Art Metal Studios is proudly celebrating 90 years of making custom creations in metal. Designers and fabricators of ornamental metalwork and lighting, their work graces high-end residential and commercial projects, as well as municipal buildings and churches around the country. Potter is one of the oldest metal studios in Dallas and the southwest and produces 'functional art' destined to become heirlooms, including architectural, lighting, furnishings or other products fashioned from steel, brass, bronze, copper and aluminum.
Designers, architects, builders and individuals have long considered Potter Art Metal Studios as the go-to source for custom metal work. Products and services include: gas and electric lanterns; interior and exterior doors, gates and fencing; interior and exterior railings; chandeliers, fandeleirs, sconces, pendants and pot racks; fireplace screens and tools; gazebos; fountains and sculptures; ecclesiastical and steeple crosses, chalices and votive stands; window and door grilles; interior and exterior table bases; ornamental Vent-aHood covers, as well as historical restorations."We have a reputation for crafting almost anything a client can dream of in metal. We tell people that if we can't create it, you probably won't be able to get it done anywhere else. And, if we can't do it right, we just won't do it," Potter Art Metal Studios Owner Richard Potter said. "We have other shops constantly referring people to us for the toughest, most unusual jobs because they are unable to take them on. We get creative and find ways to accomplish these tough tasks well."
The metalwork studio's heritage dates back to the 1920's when Henry Cornwell Potter turned his hobby of making small wrought iron lanterns in his East Dallas garage into the thriving business. This was a skill he learned from his father Alexander Potter, who upon coming to America, brought with him knowledge of Old World hand metal working. Friends and neighbors began to take notice of Henry's craftsmanship and started purchasing his lanterns. After his wife showed one of the lanterns to a buyer at Sanger Harris Department Store, an order of 100 was placed. The rest, as they say, is history.
In 1924, Henry moved the business into a commercial space and established the studio on Henderson Avenue where the business flourished for more then 80 years. after outgrowing this space, Potter Art Metal Studios moved to its current 12,000-square-foot operation near the Dallas Design District in 2007. While growing in size and scope, however, Potter Art Metal still holds fast to the studio's tradition of custom work. In a nation built on mass production, where assembling existing components is the standard way to build, Potter creates pieces as individual as those built by the Old World blacksmiths.
Richard Potter, Henry's grandson, maintains his grandfather's legacy by making products that will become antiques and heirlooms of the future. he often involves his 20-year-old triplets during the summer months, in the hopes they may one day carry the family torch. "For four generations, we have maintained a reputation of exceeding our customers' expectations. We see this time and again as our clients return and often refer to us as their friends," Potter said.
"In my opinion Potter Art Metal is unsurpassed in both quality and art design. Amazingly, the style of art metal a home may need, or that one may dream of... Potter can design and deliver," said Kathy Hatcher of hatcher Design Group. "and, the icing on the cake is the pleasure of working with such friendly and accommodating people!"
Through the yars, Potter Art Metal Studios' work has graced some of Dallas' most recognizable homes and institutions including the famous Clifford Hutsell and Charles Dilbeck houses in Lakewood that are adorned with Potter metalwork, as well as the ornate fireplace produced for Trammell Crow's home. In addition, Potter's work can be seen at the Highland Park Library and around the Town of Highlahd Park, White Rock Lake [and Fair Park [light fixtures at the Hall of State]. Other notable projects include the Hunt Oil Building in down town Dallas, Omni Hotel in Fort Worth, The Stoneleigh Hotel, Highland Park United Methodist Church and Christ The King Catholic Church.
Potter Art Metal Studios may be famous for beautiful scrollwork and custom gas and electric light fixtures, but they can also uncover hidden treasures by refurbishing older metal pieces. UL certified, Potter can turn rusty, patinad pieces back into something beautiful through historical restorations, repairing, rewiring, and refurbishing.
We are a dedicated group of people who truly love what we do. It is my hope that through our metalwork, we are able to leave a permanent mark in the form of beauty for future generations to appreciate and admire," Potter added.
Potter Art Metal Studios is located at 4827 Memphis Street, Dallas, Texas 75207. The showroom and studios are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and sunday. For more information, design ideas and additional product detail, please visit www.potterartmetal.com or call (214) 821-1419.