John Metzler was full of creative energy and it was easy to spot for the many people who had the chance to interact with him. In addition to the hours he spent on his own beautiful artworks and sculptures from reclaimed wood he was well known for working with other artists at the Urban Tree Forge as well as volunteering at Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest and the work he did for the Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors. He will be sorely missed but will be easy to remember.
Scroll down to see images of John and just some of the amazing work he brought forth. Images are from Joey Kennedy, Randie Snow and the Urban Tree Forge blog.
moxie dada event:
menorah sculpture from reclaimed wood in Squirrel Hill:
John and Urban Tree Forge members created tables
which were used for G20 meetings at Phipps!
Rest in Peace John.
Rick Byerly
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Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday (May 17) at W.F. Conroy Funeral Home in Sheraden. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday (May 18) at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 46 School St., Green Tree.
The family is planning a memorial and tree planting in Mr. Metzler's honor on Saturday at Allegheny Commons on the North Side. The time has not been set, but will be posted on www.urbantreeforge.com.
Funeral Service Address Info:
46 School Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15220-2717
(412) 921-0606
Get directions
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tree-dedication memorial :: sunday, may 23, 2010 – 12p.m.
Allegheny Commons Park, West Park, North Side, Pittsburgh
Corner of Brighton Road & West North Avenue (near the lake)
Slideshow of the dedication from Joey Kennedy here.
Petition to make Washington Boulevard more safe here.
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The Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors will honor its late member, John Metzler, and celebrate its 75th anniversary at the Three Rivers Arts Festival, with an exhibit at 937 Liberty Ave., second floor (accessible by stairs and elevator).
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The Pittsburgh Art Blog
pittsburgh galleries is reborn anew as The Pittsburgh Art Blog. the blog features selected pittsburgh artists and upcoming exhibits with photos from the artists and galleries. since the major press outlets do not go beyond a directory listing of exhibits, blogs are needed to promote pittsburgh artists and their work. the blog also calls attention to the inferiority complex of pittsburgh art and how it's perpetuated by the major players in town. Started on August 20, 2007.pittsburgh area galleries and art venues are listed at the sister site www.PghGalleries.com. the blog and website are volunteer projects from fine art photographer and pittsburgh art advocate rick byerly, www.RickByerly.com.
Rick, thank you for posting this. John's creative energy and his warmth reached out to everyone who knew him -- and to the city he loved.
ReplyDeleteWhat a loss.
I only met John 3 or 4 times, but the fact that I am leaving a comment anyway simply underscores the impression he made on people. He was one of the most genuine, soft-spoken, and talented people I have met. What I remember most about John (other than the obvious - his hair), was the warmth of his handshake: firm, and with hands that were rough from work but still managed to be gentle and genuine, like him. That handshake always left me feeling like I had made a friend rather than a business deal.
ReplyDeleteI am of the philosophy that a person's life should be celebrated when they leave us, but we are all struggling to make sense of John's death ... because we simply cannot. We have all been cheated - his family, his friends, his community, even the trees. But what an impression he made during the short time he spent with us! I will always regret that I did not get more of a chance to know him better but, in the end, he is still all around us. I will think of him every time I see a gnarled tree and wish I had the talent to bring out its character like only he could, and every time I look at my mantle - the ultimate proof of his unique ability. Thank you John. You will be missed.
tree-dedication memorial :: sunday, may 23, 2010 – 12p.m.
ReplyDeleteAllegheny Commons Park, West Park, North Side, Pittsburgh
Corner of Brighton Road & West North Avenue (near the lake)
pot-luck luncheon following :: at the new hazlett theater
Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212
412.320.4610 – www.newhazletttheater.org
guests are encouraged to bring a dish to share, beverages will be provided
He gave tirelessly on behalf of the Society of Sculptors - stepping up to advance the sculptors of Pittsburgh and the group. He will be missed. His energy and enthusiasm were boundless as were his curls.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the beautiful messages about my brother John. Annonomous...thank you and you did know him well it seems even after only a few meetings. We have lost a wonderful brother and our hearts are heaavy. I hope to take something very wonderful from this experience and put it to work in my own life and memory of a beloved big brother. He loved his sweet daughter Chelsea Mae more than anything in this world...and his heart belonged to dear Randie Snow. May be all decide to try a little harder to be a little better in this life from what we learned from John Metzler.
ReplyDeleteWith Love
Tisha Metzler Andrews
sister
thank you for sharing tisha- i was fortunate enough to have met him through the pittsburgh art scene and share a few beers with him on a couple occasions and would frequently run into him at art openings. a truly remarkable person.
ReplyDeletemy thoughts are with you and all your family.
rick byerly
The Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors will honor its late member, John Metzler, and celebrate its 75th anniversary at the Three Rivers Arts Festival, with an exhibit at 937 Liberty Ave., second floor (accessible by stairs and elevator).
ReplyDeleteRead more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10152/1061726-437.stm#ixzz0phhyImk8