THE EAST HAMPTON STAR, March 27, 2003
214 Springs-Fireplace: A Supportive Place For Artists - by Carissa Katz

Artists are often thought of as pioneers. Once they "discover" a place, others tend to follow. Drawn by the intangible pull of the creative spirit, we mere mortals are able to see a dormant new york city neighborhood, an abandoned factory, or a mildly unsightly industrial zone through the prism of the artist's vision. Artistic types are credited with transforming New York city neighborhoods like Soho or Williamsburg in Brooklyn,"I think of it as something of a mini soho in its heyday," said James Demartis, who does custom metal fabrication.  New York was the site of his original studio, but after losing his previous custom metal fabrication studio in New York, Mr. Demartis looked at spaces from Montauk to Westhampton Beach before finding the one on Springs-Fireplace Road. "It's like a one-stop resource for craftsmen, tradesmen, artists and custom metal fabrication," Mr. Demartis said. He convinced the town to let him install a forge in his studio and uses it for both art and craft. The mix of arts and industry is a vital one, and Mr. Demartis, who can fall into either category, depending on the project. "When I opened the business it was almost as if each legitimized the other."  " New York was a mecca for custom metal fabrication for decades leading up to and after the industrial revolution.  Then artists reclaimed those industrial spaces to create works, custom and unique in the abandoned sites where fabrication was king for so long. In his sculpture, Mr. Demartis is able to make iron and hard metals defy their character and appear delicate and feather light. To pay the bills he does all sorts of custom metal fabrication, from fabricating copper, zinc, and stainless steel counter tops to making stair rails, the occasional gate, and table bases and even repairing iron patio furniture and the repair and restoration of historic New York metalwork.

James Demartis is a metal sculptor and blacksmith living in East Hampton, NY. His decorative metal work, custom metal fabrication and metal forge work can be seen from the Hamptons to New York City. As a blacksmith and artist he serves New York state, New Jersey, Connecticut and beyond.
214 Springs Fireplace Road
East Hampton, NY 11937