New Orleans blacksmith trains new generation

Darryl Reeves is forging iron by hand in New Orleans, a trade he learned from his grandfather. He is one of the few practitioners still working in the city. His shop, Andrew’s Welding and Blacksmith Shop, serves as the center for this ongoing craft.

Reeves began working under the guidance of his grandfather, who was also a blacksmith. He recalled being sent away from the shop as a boy to watch the work from a distance. "We used to just pass through and just watch these guys beat on this metal with the sparks and all," Reeves said. He noted that this early exposure influenced his preference for working with metal.

The physical act of shaping raw material drives the work. "That’s what gives me joy," Reeves said. He asked how many other people get the chance to beat on metal to release frustration. He creates custom pieces, including iron hinges and hand-forged designs like metal leaves. He also forges his own ironworking tools.

Reeves has restored historic ironwork across the city. A notable project involved the fence in front of the Cabildo. He used plans dating back to the 1790s for that restoration. "That’s learning from the past," Reeves said. He described the process as having a conversation with the original fabricator.

A new apprentice is learning the trade from Reeves. Karina Roca moved to New Orleans from Boston to study under him. She saw a PBS program about Reeves more than 10 years ago. "I’ve always secretly wanted to be an iron worker," Roca said. She decided then that she would study under him.

Roca has worked in the blacksmith shop for five years. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in historic preservation at Tulane University. She believes the work keeps the aesthetic of New Orleans alive. The designs reflect Spanish, West African, and French influences. "It’s sort of this symbol, this beacon of a space where all of these cultures have come together for centuries now," Roca said.