Ray Mathis, Who he is and why we love him

Below is an article written by Carolyn Gabbe that was sent out for press release this week. The article and photos of Ray will appear in the May issue of Prime Time. It tells the story of who Ray is, what he stands for and why he is so dear to all of us. It also lists the details of events for Ray's benefit.

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Tutto is the Italian word for “everything,” or tutti for “everyone.” It is a inviting and embracing word that describes more than a design philosophy. For Raymond Mathis and his wife, Rosemary Tottoroto, it describes a way of living.

Sunday is usually Ray Mathis’s day off but he went to the shop of Tutto Metal Design on Sunday, April 13, because he would miss Monday to attend a funeral. He arrived and saw smoke coming from the Trading Post, a store adjacent to his shop. After getting someone to call 911, Ray dragged several canisters of chemicals used for welding out of the burning building. The extreme heat from the fast moving fire prevented Ray from saving much more. Most of his tools, equipment, materials and client inventory were lost. But saving the canisters probably saved people and certainly saved property. That’s how Ray is. Steady, thoughtful, with his priorities very clear all the time. People matter the most.

Ray was born in Northeast Philly and has spent most of his adult life in Bucks County, where he worked as a farrier before devoting himself full time to creative metal work. He opened his shop in 1988 at the forge next to F.P. Kolbe (formerly known as Poor Richards) using centuries-old techniques to bring his original designs to life. In 1994, through an Artisan Blacksmith Association Study Grant, he studied at the Vulkanschmiede, an international training center for metal design inAachen, Germany.

An award-winning artist and smith, Ray’s projects range from commissioned sculpture, furniture and lighting to hardware, commercial signage, gates and decorative ironwork for several churches in Bucks and Chester Counties. He is a familiar face on the Delaware art scene and his work has been featured in House Beautiful, Philadelphia Magazine, and numerous local publications along with juried shows like Phillips Mill and the New Hope Sculpture Show.

But more than being a gifted, creative person, Ray is a great friend and neighbor. And what it means to have lived here with a people-first mindset can be seen in the immediate gathering of people who are helping Ray rebuild Tutto Metal Design. In a matter of hours, people were beginning to network and plan. Within days, it was amazing. So many people wanting to be a part of rebuilding Tutto Metal Design.

Artist Materese Roche, is creating a painting a day which are being auctioned on e-bay to benefit Ray. These paintings have an opening bid of $100 and all shipping charges have been waived. The series of paintings being auctioned is collectively titled "Rising from the Ashes" and will continue through May 15. The link to see the paintings and a link to e-bay for bidding is athttp://todaysoilpainting.blogspot.com/. In addition, Roche is having a show at the Main Street Gallery in Doylestown, opening May 2nd (First Friday in Doylestown) from 6 to 9 pm. Twenty percent of the sales price of each of her works sold will be donated to the fund for rebuilding Tutto Metal Design.

On Sunday, May 4th, Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio will welcome friends to the gallery to wish Ray and Rosemary well and offer their support. They are billing it as a “Cuatro de Mayo” celebration, from 2 pm to 5 pm. They will have a silent auction and pass the sombrero. Featured artists will include Robert Beck, Alan Fetterman, Myles Cavanaugh and Mark Pettegrow. All proceeds from the auction and sombrero will go the Rebuild Ray Fund at First National Bank ofNewtown.

Puck’s in Doylestown is planning an event and auction as well and will be posting the date and information as soon as it is finalized. Details will be found on their website at www.pucklive.com.

Later in the month, neighbors are hosting a backyard birthday barbeque in Newtown. Ray turns 50 this month, and his friends and neighbors are committed to this being the best yet. A friendly town that features weekly Porch Parties in the summer months, this is sure to be quite a celebration! Local businesses are contributing, again with proceeds going the Rebuild Ray Fund.

When Ray found out about all the plans people were making, he balked. Rosemary hit the nail on the head. If it were anyone else, Ray would be right up front helping turn a bad thing into a good thing. All these people, tutti, are gathering around in a very old fashioned friend help friend way to lift Tutto Metal Design out of the ashes, turning a bad thing into some thing good.