David Karoff has lived in Providence working in RI’s nonprofit sector for over 35 years. Much of that time he set aside art-making, which had been an important part of his life in high school and college. Over a decade ago, he found the Steel Yard and began making sculpture again. Some were ideas set aside to percolate (molder?) on scraps of paper decades ago.

He’d never heard of the term creative practice until becoming an artist-mentor at New Urban Arts in Providence. But, once he did, it made so much sense; everyone should have a creative thread running through their lives, perhaps manifesting differently at different times, but always there, infecting – in the best way – all it touches. Since, he’s taken every available opportunity to make that happen.

He’s been fascinated by heat and metal since college, where a mentor gave him a work-study job in the jewelry studio in the basement of the arts building despite knowing nothing about jewelry-making, and challenged him to make a large lost-wax bronze piece they poured together in the parking lot.

In work both small and large, Karoff juxtaposes both disparate materials and surface textures. He is often inspired by found and recycled materials. He sees his most successful pieces as those that engage viewers with design and craftmanship and, also, provoke reflection about something important to him (i.e. the environment or race in America).

He’s had some success with creating permanent pieces for public places, and has plans for more.

Website.