Who: Jeff Skoloda, Ouray
Medium: Custom metal work
His story: If you’ve ever pulled up a chair at a Chipotle Mexican Grill, chances are you’ve gotten very close to some of Jeff Skoloda’s work. The metal worker spent five years making about 30,000 of the wood-and-iron chairs that give the restaurant its unique feel.
The steady work helped pay the bills and gave Skoloda, 35, time to build a portfolio of work that includes furniture, sculpture and architectural pieces like metal railings, staircases and light fixtures. Skoloda describes his style as contemporary organic because he favors clean designs with lots of curves and fluid shapes.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a fine arts degree, Skoloda worked at an industrial foundry before moving to Colorado. For six years he worked at Loveland Sculpture Works, where he continued the ancient practice of lost-wax bronze casting. At Mayatek he met sculptor Bruce Grueswel, who designed the chairs for Chipotle.
In 2003 Skoloda and his wife, Nicole, moved to Ouray and opened Skol Studio and Design. “It’s a really good fit,” he says. “It was the easiest place to set up a workshop and it’s a great community.”
Now Skoloda practices his art by creating custom metal work that ranges from an ornate wine rack to a full dining room set. He begins working with clients by first putting pencil to paper. “I do lots of drawings so I can see their reactions and then combine the elements they like for a finished product they’ll be happy with.”
His custom metal work is also part of the fabric of the town’s Main Street. Two ornamental flume gates, the restored gate at the Beaumont Hotel and a balcony on the Alpine Inn are examples of his work. He also built the spectator viewing stand at the Ouray Ice Park.
Soon he’ll start work on a memorial near the Ice Park. A gazebo with ornate metalwork will be dedicated to Sue Nott and Karen McNeill, two climbers who died in Alaska in 2006.
Approach to his work: Skoloda likes to work with his materials in a way that captures the energy he puts into creating the piece. “Each piece has a life of its own,” he says. “I try to have fun with the design and make it a lasting and timeless design.” He says his goal is to make a piece that will still be intriguing and interesting 100 years from now.
Skoloda enjoys collaborating with other artists and combining materials. He says adding wood to his pieces softens the hardness of steel and brings warmth to a piece. Recently he worked with a traditional blacksmith to hammer and flatten steel for a table. “It was an opportunity to work with someone else and learn something new,” he says.
Cost range: $150-$20,000
Where to find his work: Skol Gallery is located at 812 Main St. in Ouray, . Contact the artist at 970-325-7290.
