When Craig Kaviar moved into his studio, it was a trash-filled building and yard in the middle of a blighted area.  He spent his first year filling dozens of dumpsters, spending over $16,000 in dumpster bills alone. The site had formerly been the home of a disreputable welding shop, an unfortunately typical case of a negative place that fostered negative activities. Many believe that Kaviar's clean-up, as well as his introduction of a positive, creative environment, marked the beginning of the transformation of the 1700 block of Frankfort Avenue. This in turn anchored helped in the transformation of Clifton into what is now a desirable progress-oriented neighborhood, with fine restaurants, numerous art studios, successful businesses, and beautiful homes.

Unfortunately, sometime between the evening of Jan. 18 and the following morning, four of his finest works were stolen. "I guess I've been living in a dream world, believing that people who loved art wouldn't deal with thieves. I've had these works on display outside the studio for the past 20 years without much of a problem".

Over the course of twenty years, Mr. Kaviar has built a reputation as one of Louisville's finest artists. This past year, he curated an exhibition at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, "Forging Ahead: Contemporary American Blacksmiths", and was one of two Kentucky artists to exhibit in the US Pavilion at the World's Fair in Aichi, Japan. His work has been previously featured on HGTV's Modern Masters, and in the publications Southern Accents, Landscape Architecture, Today's Woman, Kentucky Homes & Gardens, Louisville Magazine, and, this past summer, a feature article and cover in Arts Across Kentucky. Mr. Kaviar has taught his forging skills at blacksmith workshops throughout the US, and has represented Louisville in a forging demonstration at the Guttenburg 6000 Anniversary Celebration, in Minze Germany. He will be giving a 2-day repousse' workshop as part of the American Craft Council conference in Louisville, March 24 & 25, at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft.

While making the finest forged art, Kaviar transformed his studio and the area around into an art gallery and sculpture garden, where visitors and neighbors are welcome to visit and enjoy the park-like setting. Kaviar Forge and Gallery holds an open house and artist's reception the last Friday of each month as part of the Frankfort Ave Trolley Hop (F.A.T. Friday) during which either he or one of the artist working at the forge give a hot forging demonstration. During the FAT Friday on Jan 27th, Mr. Kaviar will forge a horse head on the /files/storyimages/of a 1" square iron rod. Opening is from 6-9 pm, the demo starts at 7:30

Anyone with any information is encourage to call either Crime Stoppers at

502/582-2583 or the Metro police tip line at 502/574-LMPD