Kirk L. Williams died of a sudden illness on 1/4/16. Kirk was born in Brooklyn, NY to Patricia Huffman Williams and some dude from France. Very early in their childhoods Kirk and his sister, Trish, were lovingly adopted by their father, Darrell H. Williams. To quote Kirk, “My family members were no strangers to creativity and innovation. I spent the early years of my life absorbing the creative energy that can only come from a household run on modesty, ideas, and values. Our values gave us a need to cobble, clamber, improvise, and pioneer in such a way that the burnishing that comes from hard work made our projects, passions, and visions shine. This environment helped me set the course of my life and, as I continue to heat, form, and shape glass and metal to my desire, I hold in my heart the upbringing that brought me to Vermont.”
Kirk graduated from Austin High and started schooling at Austin Community College. He then graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a bachelor of fine arts in blacksmithing and minors in both glassblowing and jewelry. His metalworking career began building fountains, doing French repousse, and both attending and teaching workshops in a variety of metalsmithing techniques throughout the United States and Mexico. Moving to Vermont in 2001, Kirk was committed to quality design and building in the Northeast. He worked as a lead lighting designer for Conant Custom Brass in Burlington until he founded his own studio, KWDesigns, in 2005. “With heat, hammer, polish, and elbow grease,” he pondered, changed, and rearranged the materials that paved the path for his artwork. He built up years of experience and appreciated his many mentors and collaborators on projects big and small. Kirk also served as a mentor to many, young and old.
His work is known in the region and beyond. Kirk’s work is far too vast to list completely, and has touched many lives throughout the country. Sconces he created hang at Laguna Gloria Contemporary Art Museum in Austin. For those near Burlington, you will recognize the fish fountains on Church Street and by the new skate park as well as red bollard lights that help illuminate the trees on Church Street. A huge red sundial sits beautifully across from the Community Health Center, and more work can be seen at the Veterans Memorial in South Burlington. Kirk’s modern house is a work of art as well.
He will best be remembered by his friends and coworkers as a true southern gentleman and Renaissance man. He was a lover of food, often sharing his most recent culinary creation, be it barbecue from the smoker he built, honey from his bees, or a bit of hard cider. Kirk always took the time to do it right whether with work or relationships.
Kirk is survived by his father, Darrell Williams, his sister, Trish Huddleston, his nephew, Bennett Huddleston, his beloved partner, Amelia Hopkins, the loving extended Huffman family, and a huge number of friends, colleagues, clients, and community members who will miss him dearly. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Southern Illinois University Carbondale Metalsmithing program, Zoe’s Race (Howard Center), the Humane Society of Chittenden County, the Austin Humane Society, or the charity of your choice.
This article appears in Dec 30, 2015 – Jan 5, 2016.
I am in shock, and beside myself with sorrow to hear this tragic and incredibly sad news. Captain Kirk was an amazing man, compassionate human and an incredibly talented metalsmith. He will be dearly missed in the Metalsmithing and Sculpture community, and on this planet. It was an honor to know and work with him. Very sad news indeed. I have a lovely pot-hanger with incredible details that he created hanging in my kitchen. He was meticulous, creative and joyful. It was an honor to work with him at SIUC, and call him my friend. My heart goes out to you in his daily life, and his friends and family. I am so incredibly sorry to hear of this tragic loss. He was a very bright light indeed. Sending hugs and great sympathies. Respectfully- Erika Strecker
I met Kirk in 10th grade at Austin High and was friends with him ever since. He was the best man at my wedding and I recently visited him at his home in Vermont. I am going to miss him so very much. He was a kind, loyal and funny friend. I will always greatly treasure the friendship I had with him.
I new Kirk in Siu and a few random catch ups after. He has always stood out to me in a way that actually made me use his name as a description”that’s really kirked”. This means that a work was well thought out, planned, meticulously executed, many tests to ensure outcome, made with the right tools in an organized environment, and resulting in an object that is attractive in many ways. This was not only evident in his metalwork. His home renovations were impressive too.
Thanks Kirk, for bringing what you do into my world at a time when I was most impressionable.
So terribly sad. He was indeed a gentle man and impeccably creative soul. Sending love and a wish for peace to his family. Mati Vargas, colleague from SIUC glass program
I am saddened by this news. I saw him walk down the street the other day, I waved and thought, I will have to catch up him sometime soon. You always think you have tomorrow. What a huge loss. I am grateful to have known him. He was a wise and creative soul.
I am struck by Kirk’s own words about his work-play as “creative energy that can only come from a household run on modesty, ideas, and values”. Today, it is this modesty that stands out to me. He was an amazing co-creator who, through his modesty, gave me space to realize my own ideas – always made better by his skill, expertise and open vision. His is an example I will always cherish. In case I didn’t say it enough – Thank you, Kirk!
Just learned Kirk has passed on and my mind is flooded with memories of spending time with him. I’m saddened for all of us who will miss him. It’s with a heavy heart that I say farewell. RIP, till we meet again.