Forged in Metal: Mentorship Between Sculptor and Art Student
Artist Michael Marras and Liam Kidd, sculpture student at Myers School of Art, welding. Photo credit: Tim Fitzwater.
When professional sculptor Michael Marras, known for his intricate metalwork and imposing public art pieces, met Myers School of Art student Liam Kidd, neither anticipated the depth of collaboration that would unfold.
What started as a simple act of support quickly evolved into an essential mentorship, with both artist and student learning from one another as they spent almost 18 months -- nine of which were on fabrication -- working on “Ochtehedral Fields,” a towering 20-foot sculpture outside the newly renovated Crouse Hall as part of the Ohio Percent for Arts Program.
Kidd’s unique opportunity started with a recommendation from Arnold Tunstall, director of the University of Akron’s art galleries, who had served on the committee that awarded Marras the Ohio Arts Council commission for the sculpture.
Metal takes shape
Liam Kidd poses in front of "Ochtehedral Fields." Photo credit: Jakob Lawrence
Marras unexpectedly needed wrist surgery and three months of rehab, so he knew he would need additional help with creation and installation.
“Michael and I had several conversations about what he wanted to do and how he wanted to have others involved. He mentioned wanting a studio assistant, and Liam immediately leapt to my mind,” Tunstall recalled.
At the time, Kidd was just starting to take sculpture classes, and Tunstall thought the opportunity would be an ideal match. Kidd had been curious about all kinds of art making and was just beginning to see himself as a sculptor and to weld and work in metal.
“I was working on this really complicated steel piece in class, and Arnie saw it,” Kidd explained. “He told me he was impressed and then mentioned Michael, who has a massive commission on campus in the works, and said he’d put in a good word for me.”
Marras worked with apprentices but rarely with students, but he quickly saw Kidd’s potential and work ethic, which became essential when Kidd’s assistance proved indispensable.
“He would have been invaluable regardless of my surgery,” Marras said, “but especially with that setback, his presence and contributions were amazing.”
Scale and ingenuity
Michael and Liam. Photo credit: Arnold Tunstall)
The project required creativity, problem-solving and a rigorous level of commitment from both artists. Kidd’s knowledge of anatomy and form, honed through his art studies, contributed directly to the sculpture’s design.
“He made a lot of great suggestions, which usually doesn’t happen when someone’s new and might be afraid to speak up,” Marras recalled. “I’d be scratching my head about a problem, and Liam would say, ‘What if we tried this?’ Many times, he was spot-on.”
The unique demands of constructing a 20-foot sculpture also gave Kidd firsthand insight into the challenges of large-scale metalwork. With the sculpture nearly twice the height of Marras’ studio, they developed an unconventional setup, using the wall as a vertical floor to piece the sculpture together limb by limb. Kidd’s contributions were essential throughout, providing fresh ideas and an extra set of capable hands.
Steel bonds
Left: Michael Marras. Right: Liam Kidd. Photo credit: Jakob Lawrence
Reflecting on the collaboration, Tunstall observed the growth in both artists. “A lot of hard work went into creating this sculpture, and both men grew as artists in the process—a wonderful byproduct of all that effort,” he said. “It is a generous gift to share a skill and passion for your work with someone who wants to learn.”
For Kidd, an Akron native, working closely with Marras deepened his understanding of the commitment required in a professional art career. In conversations, they often discussed not only the technical aspects of creating large metalwork but also the realities of balancing commissioned projects with personal artistic development.
“It’s a tough balance,” Marras shared. “I find that if I can be smart about it, I get to enjoy both. But every artist should have time to just work on themselves, to make art just for the sake of it.”
For Kidd, this mentorship was invaluable. “I learned so much from Michael’s stories about his career path and the strategies he uses to navigate it,” he said. “This experience has really shaped how I’ll approach my work.”
Seeing the completed sculpture on campus, Marras has felt both surreal and gratified.
“When I ride my bike past it now, especially at night when it’s all lit up, it’s incredible to see. What started as a sketch became this massive piece, and Liam was a huge part of making it happen.”
Liam Kidd, Michael Marras. Photo credit: Jakob Lawrence
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Story by: Lisa Craig, Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, 330-972-7429 or lmc91@uakron.edu.
Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.