“A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.”
Louis Nizer
Virgil was taught to make and fix things at a young age, this instilled a love of learning about and making handcrafted items. His parents noticed that he had a talent for drawing and encouraged him to develop his skills. He later studied drawing and photography while earning his BFA at the University of Louisville’s Hite Institute. He later attended the esteemed DAAP program at the University of Cincinnati earning his MFA in photography. Virgil pools his creativity into many mediums, he is self-taught but he’s always looking for skilled mentors to learn from and elevate his craft. For example, he had the honor to learn bladesmithing and flintlock building from Hershel House, one of his most influential mentors. Virgil is a board member of the Hershel House and the Woodbury Foundation which Hershel created before his passing in early 2024.
Virgil’s passion for learning the traditional methods of making things is fueled by his love of history and the days when things were made to last and how they reflect the personality and creativity of the maker. Please look through his work and stop by often to see his latest creations.