Master Craftsman
Jerry Vrabec:

Jerry Vrabec was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia. He was trained in the art of fine metal work through a number of apprenticeships with master craftsmen in Prague. He, himself obtained the title of "master craftsmen" and worked at the University of Fine Art and Technology in Prag for several years.

In 1984 he moved to Toronto to work as a goldsmith. Four years later he relocated to London, Ontario to work in the visual arts department at the University of Western Ontario. In 1988 he left his position at the university to pursue his craft full-time and opened his 659 Central Avenue iron works studio.

Vrabec now works with a handful of local designers and consultants to produce custom one-of-a-kind pieces, some functional; some pure art. He specializes in iron and has created such items as patio furniture and accessories, gates, fences, arches, decorative wall sculpture and numerous other architectural items.

Jerry has shown in galleries in Prague; Vienna; Berlin and most recently in London, Ontario.

His wrought iron work can been seen locally in the windows of Garlic's Restaurant on Richmond Street, at Bloomers in the Covent Market, the chimney sweeper at the Marienbad Restaurant on Carling, and on numerous homes in the London area.

"Ironman"
Article printed in The London Free Press,
Saturday, July 12, 2003
By Sarah Ruttan