Charlie Lucas
● Meet The Tin Man
Based in Selma, Alabama, Charlie Lucas, also known as the “Tin Man”, transforms discarded metal and found objects into imaginative and deeply personal sculptures, paintings, and mixed-media works inspired by dreams, family histories, and everyday life. With a career spanning more than four decades, Lucas has exhibited nationally and internationally, and his work is held in the permanent collections of major art institutions. Not a day goes by where he doesn’t create something.
Three-Way Bicycle, c. 1985, Bicycle wheels, metal machine parts, and electrical wiring
Coming Out of the Forest, 1987, Paint on Masonite
The Old Man with a Curl, 1986, Welded woven metal strips
Taken Out fur a Ride, n.d., Watercolor and ballpoint pen on board
Eighteen-Wheeler, c. 1985, Welded metal strips
The Old Fisherman, mid-1980s, Welded found metal
When the Brains Melt Down, the Dog Eats the Brain, 1987, Welded found metal on wooden base
Let My Spirit Flow Free, 1987, Welded found metal
Power Man, 1985, Welded found materials
● Visit Tin Man Studio
Within walking distance of the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge, Charlie Lucas’s working art studio is open to visitors in downtown Selma, AL. Stop by to explore his work, or book a hands-on workshop with Charlie himself as part of the Alabama Black Belt Maker’s Trail.
Alabama Black Belt Maker’s Trail Experiences
$150 per person, materials included
Designed for individuals or small groups to join a larger scheduled session
Participants: Up to 12 | Duration: 4 hours
Guests begin with a guided tour of Charlie Lucas’s studio before settling in for a hands-on session. They create a small metalwork piece using recycled materials, building a figure or relief that reflects their own sense of story and form. Along the way, they explore simple shaping and assembly techniques, focusing on silhouette and texture. The experience can be adapted for adults or younger participants.
$1,500 per session, materials included
Designed for individuals or groups to book a dedicated session at a set price
Participants: Up to 2 | Duration: 8 hours
Designed for an individual or small group, this day long intensive offers the chance to work one-on-one with Charlie Lucas in his studio, building a larger metal sculpture from start to finish. Guests develop a concept, shape structure, and refine details under his guidance. Suited for serious learners or return visitors, this experience offers rare extended time with the artist.
● Contact