Master Blacksmith
Author: Stephen Brigham
Tom Bredlow is internationally known as one of America’s foremost blacksmiths with commissions at the Washington National Cathedral, the Grand Canyon and throughout Southern Arizona. His work was included in the exhibit “Solid Wrought / U.S.A.,” mounted by the New York Museum of Contemporary Crafts and later displayed at the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. He has been noted in national syndicated articles highlighting the best of the exhibition including features in the Christian Science Monitor and New York Times.
Tom was also one of our neighborhood artists with a studio-shop at Plaza Antigua (at Campbell Avenue and Limberlost Drive) called “Tom Bredlow Blacksmith”. Tom, although retired, is still producing work near our neighborhood.
His work can be seen in many local sites including the Bahti Gallery in St. Philips Plaza, a public sculpture called “People Play” at Rillito Park on North First Avenue and River Road, the Teatro Carmen in Barrio Viejo, interior details for the Cushing Street Bar and Restaurant (currently called the Coronet), a waterless fountain in front of the Territorial Bank on North Oracle Road, and a SunDial at Colossal Cave Mountain Park.
At the Grand Canyon, Bredlow, was hired to repair a number of features in Mary Colter’s National Historic Landmark Buildings.
