VL Ondra is an artist originally from the Capital Region of New York. Since graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, they have lived in a number of places around the Rust Belt, and are now happy to call Johnstown, PA home. V’s passion for metalworking began after attending blacksmithing and small metals workshops at Touchstone Center for Crafts.

“I spent a lot of time in the woods growing up, so organic and natural forms have always appealed to me. Once I took up metalsmithing, I became fascinated by the ways in which hard metals can be manipulated into delicate, nature-inspired shapes and textures. As leaves change color and fall, flowers bloom and wither, I aim to create designs that reflect certain moments in nature, preserving them in copper and steel.”

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