Pic of William Melvin
My Great Grandfather William Beattie Melvin, taken upon leaving Aberdeen, Scotland for America March 1891
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Legacy
In this craft, it is our obligation is to keep tradition alive while satisfying clientele with excellence in granite craftsmanship. Since 1891, my family has been continuously employed in the USA Granite Industry, from the harshest quarries to the finest sculpture studios. They fought hard for workers' rights and safety while their bodies suffered the ravages of this craft.
Pervasive foreign competition, not burdened with the responsibility of workers' health and safety, is ever present. Still, we cut stone here in America.
After years of study and industry-specific employment in Barre, VT under family and the very best Master Stone Cutters and Carrara-trained Master Sculptors in the industry, I returned to Spartanburg, SC in 2003. Carolina Sculpture Studio fills a void left in the Southeast by my relative Master Sculptor Dario Rossi (1996 GA Artist of the Year), upon his retirement after 35 years of industry service in nearby Elberton, GA.
With tools, guidance and blessings from Dario, plus knowledge & experience endowed by my cousin Master Stonecutter & Carver Andy Hebert, Master Sculptors Gary Sassi, Guiliano Cecchinelli, Jim Sardonis, Angelo Ambrosini & Phil Paini, my maternal grandfather Edward G. Melvin & great grandfather William Beattie Melvin, Master Toolsmith Bernie Scott & Sculptor Ryan Mayes, as well as many others, I will keep this craft alive for another generation. By training and leaving to fill the need elsewhere, as did my great Grandfather and Grandfather Melvin (from Scotland to Barre) and Dario (from Italy to Elberton), I once again honor their achievements.
