Unlike many of the galleries in the Short North who rotate exhibits, the Mac Worthington Galerie is one dedicated to showcasing only the work of Mac Worthington.
Gauging from the reactions of many of Worthington’s clientele, it is not hard to believe that he was destined to become a sculptor, filling the world with inspired beauty.
Growing up in a family of artists, it is no surprise that Worthington has ascended to the degree of success which he now enjoys. He began his career as an artist specializing in photography until 1970 when he decided to completely devote himself to his sculpting.
As a child he used to watch his father, a bronze sculptor who has created numerous busts for the National Football League’s Hall of Fame in Canton. He was undoubtedly a large influence on his son.
Worthington’s artwork can be described as metal in a state of refinement and splendor. He has worked extremely hard to continuously improve his finished product.
“I have never been challenged with wanting to quit,” Worthington said.
Worthington has been self-taught, with influences from artists such as David Smith, Roy Lichtenstein and Caulder. He has always had a passion for metal, particularly heavy metal, he said. He compared the art of metalworking to romance and permanence.
When asked about the changes in his work, Worthington said, “My moods dictate the color.”
The addition of color to his metal works is a fairly recent deviation from his original style. Worthington’s clients said that the new use of color was a welcomed change in his work. Many of his clients have several pieces and some have more than 100.
Ray Wilson I called the reporter for some more info. on Wilson. said that she has had an interest in Worthington’s work for years. She owns dozens of Worthington’s art works.
“Now most everything Mac does for me is custom,” she said.
Worthington has created for Wilson everything from her dining table, to mirrors, to her cabinet fronts.
The furniture route was a direction that Worthington was not excited about at first, she said. However, things changed. Not only does Worthington create many custom pieces of furniture, but he also has pieces for sale in his gallery.
Worthington bases a good deal of his success on the fact that he is extremely accommodating to the customer’s wants and tastes.
If he creates a piece with red accents, but a customer wants the piece with blue accents, he is willing to repaint the piece in order to please the customer, he said.
Where as many artists want people to purchase their visions, Worthington said that the customer is the one who is going to take it home and look at it every day. The customer is the one is should ultimately be happy with their purchase.
He admits that his work is a business, and he keeps that in mind when working on alterations to his works and in custom commissions from clients.
Ralph Krasik, Grandview Heights, has been a long-time customer of Worthington.
“I knew Mac when he was a photographer and I have always found his work interesting,” he said.
He has many pieces at home, in his garden and at his place of work, he said. His pieces at work are often the first subject brought up when meeting with new clients. Most people inquire about who the artist is, but generally how much they like the various pieces.
Another recent addition to Worthington’s gallery is Kenna Brooks, Worthington’s new gallery director. Brooks brings a newfound stability to the gallery with her constant presence.
Before Brooks was named galerie director, Worthington utilized art students to manage the gallery.
Making the gallery’s hours dependent on the student’s constantly changing schedules often made the gallery difficult to approach, Brooks said. Not only is she able to be there on a regular basis to better serve Worthington’s customers, but now a better rapport is developed with new customers.
“I know what certain customers like, I learn their tastes,” she said.
Brooks said that it is easy to work with Worthington because of his business sense. He is able to function on the creative level, but at the same time does what is best for preserving an artistic force.
“Mac is both an artist and a businessman,” she said.
Worthington’s work can be found as far west as San Francisco, as far east as Germany, with stops in-between such as Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C., to name only a few.
Whatever makes Worthington such a success, whether it is his undeniable talent, attention to detail, willingness to work with customers or his business savvy, Worthington’s worldwide popularity translates into Worthington being a local treasure.
