Ben Caldwell attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, and received a bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Tufts University. He studied in Athens, Greece with the Studio School of New York. He also has been featured in Southern Living Magazine and on HGTV.

Ben creates copper and sterling silver pieces by hand such as bowls, trays and sculptures using traditional smithing techniques. The hand-wrought texture covering every surface is a signature of Ben’s work. Another signature of Ben’s work is his artistic use of naturally shed elk, moose and deer antlers as handles and stands. The combination of the hammered metal and antler create functional items which are timeless and will last for generations.

Shown Right: 20 inch Copper Bowl with Moose Antler Stand, copper and antler, 24" x 24" x 10"

Artist's Statement
“My work is rooted in the past, in a time when everyday items were created by an individual craftsman. To see the way forward, I must look back to pre-Industrial Revolution silversmiths in England and America. In order to replicate the processes used, I make most of my own tools."

"Art Nouveau style and the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century provide the inspiration for most of my designs. The botanical designs of flowers, leaves and vines come from Art Nouveau. The utilitarian designs, exposed joinery and hammered surface are drawn from the Arts and Crafts philosophy of simple and direct beauty and nature."

"I enjoy working with antler because it is a beautiful sculptural form found in nature. It provides juxtaposition at the material level. Copper and silver dug from the earth and the antler, which is shed from a living animal, create both tension and balance."

Arts at the Airport receives funding for the visual arts from the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) and the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC). The Flying Solo Exhibition Series is funded under an agreement with the TAC. For more information about Arts at the Airport, please call (615) 275-1614.