Over the last twenty plus years, Heather McLarty has established herself as a well-known artist and blacksmith whose creations have beautified the community. Her public works include the gates and benches at the Audubon Center in Debs Park as well as the gates to the athletic field and a large copper wall collage at Occidental College. Her privately commissioned works include graceful, organic stair railings, a custom bramble ceiling lamp and fireplace screen, and specially crafted cooking tools. She is dedicated to preserving the art of blacksmithing and used those skills to accurately recreate the square iron nails needed to restore the doors at the Lummis House. She teaches others the craft, is an active member of the Arroyo Arts Collective, and has participated in tours and demonstrations at her blacksmithing shop “Steel Crazy” – a tepee on her property, behind the whimsical gate to her home. She is an outstanding member of the vibrant artists’ community in Highland Park and deserves recognition with this 2014 award.
