Born in 1968 in San Francisco CA, the son of Basque immigrants from the south of France, Joel Urruty is an artist working in various metals, creating abstract sculptures and wall assemblages.

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After graduating with a BS in design from San Francisco State University, he apprenticed with master craftsman, David Marks, before going on to earn an MFA from Rochester Institute of Technology with an emphasis in woodworking.

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Joel's sculptures have been exhibited internationally. His work can be found in the permanent collection of the Asheville Art Museum, Boston Museum of Fine Art and Honolulu Museum of Art.

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Joel is based in Hickory North Carolina. He is a father and husband and has been living in Hicory since 2007