New Orleans blacksmith Darryl Reeves restores historic ironwork with apprentice

Darryl Reeves works in a New Orleans shop to repair and create iron structures that have defined the city's skyline for centuries. Balconies, fences, and gates often survive major disasters, but they require specialized maintenance to remain intact. Reeves operates Andrew's Welding and Blacksmith Shop, where he serves as one of the few remaining practitioners of this specific trade. His grandfather held the same profession, providing a direct lineage in the city's metalworking history.

Reeves recalled his childhood visits to his grandfather's workspace. He remembered being sent away while watching workers hammer metal and watching the sparks fly. "We used to just pass through and just watch these guys beat on this metal with the sparks and all," Reeves said. "I think that had a lot of influence with me enjoying to work with metal." He described the transformation of raw materials as a source of personal satisfaction, noting that the physical act of working with metal offers a way to process frustration.

The shop produces a variety of items, including iron hinges, hand-forged metal leaves, and the tools used to create them. Reeves has focused on restoring historic pieces throughout New Orleans. One notable project involved the fence in front of the Cabildo. For that restoration, he utilized architectural plans that date back to the 1790s. "That's learning from the past. That's given a conversation with the person that actually fabricated it," Reeves said regarding the connection to the original artisans.

Reeves is now training the next generation of blacksmiths. His current apprentice, Karina Roca, relocated to New Orleans from Boston. Roca has worked in the shop for five years while pursuing a master's degree in historic preservation at Tulane University. She first became interested in the craft after watching a PBS program featuring Reeves more than a decade ago. "Well, I've always secretly wanted to be an iron worker," Roca said. "And then I saw a PBS program on Darryl Reeves over 10 years ago at this point, and I was like, 'Yep, I'm going to study under that guy.'"

Roca views the work as a way to maintain the city's unique aesthetic. She noted that the ironwork reflects a blend of Spanish, West African, and French influences. "It works in so many ways to kind of keep this aesthetic of New Orleans alive," Roca said. She described the metalwork as a symbol of a space where these cultures have converged for centuries.