​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​River Copper Works 

Custom Copper Wall Art

​Mike Tokarz

Urbanna VA                                Richmond VA 

 ​Inspired by the wildlife of the Tidewater Virginia area, each piece is individually crafted from soft copper tubing, hand-hammered and soldered. While some pieces are more abstract, others are accurate representations of the local birds, marshes, nettles, crabs,  fish and Chesapeake Bay work boats. 

Mike Tokarz is from the Tidewater Virginia area.

Workshops in Urbanna and Richmond Virginia.

Copper pieces have found themselves from Maine to Key West to Texas, one has found its way to England...

​​ Mike Tokarz is from the Tidewater Virginia area and grew up enjoying activities on the York and Rappahannock Rivers. He makes hand-hammered, one-of-a-kind Copper Wall Art. Each piece is individually designed from soft copper tubing, hand-hammered, and soldered. And most, as you can see, are accurate representations of the local birds, nettles, fish, and Chesapeake Bay work vessels.

When we asked Mike how he got into this line of work, he told us he realized years ago there was a lack of outside wall art indigenous to the area. Determined he could make something himself--he purchased refrigeration tubing and a torch at his local hardware store. The result was a large blue crab he proudly displayed on the side of his river house. After that... the requests from friends and family started pouring in. "Can you make me a fish? A great blue heron? A stinging nettle?"

He hasn't stopped since.

Mike explained to us that copper is a great medium with which to work. When it's outside, it will constantly change colors until it reaches maturity of a blue green patina. “The older the better, and it's always a work in progress,” he says.

Here are some of Mike’s pieces he has chosen to showcase in our virtual art show. If you are interested in purchasing, visit his website at www.rivercopperworks.com. For questions about custom requests, you can email him at mike@rivercopperworks.com.Mike Tokarz is from the Tidewater Virginia area and grew up enjoying activities on the York and Rappahannock Rivers. He makes hand-hammered, one-of-a-kind Copper Wall Art. Each piece is individually designed from soft copper tubing, hand-hammered, and soldered. And most, as you can see, are accurate representations of the local birds, nettles, fish, and Chesapeake Bay work vessels.

 Source: Yorktown Tourism 

​Hi Mike. I hope you are well. I just wanted to share that we have received soooo many compliments on your bridge. There have been a few board meetings in that room since last week and everyone has really enjoyed the new art.
I just gave someone else your business card too, so hopefully you’ll start seeing some business from it. Thanks again for all of your great work. I smile every time I walk by the art – it’s so gorgeous!

Have a wonderful day! 

SP

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