From a nearly four-year apprenticeship in Northern Illinois to starting his own fabrication and art studio in Denver, Colorado, Chad Copeland, local sculptor and business-owner, has dedicated his life to the arts. Copeland now seeks to mold the next generation of artists.
Copeland, a Valparaiso native, was inspired to pursue the arts back in 1994 when he received his first sketchbook. Drawing served as his creative outlet and it propelled him in the artistic direction. Copeland pursued his education at the American Academy of Art in Chicago in 2005 as an oil painting major. Despite his decision to drop out, an encouraging professor and figurative sculptor named Bobby Joe Scribner trained him as an apprentice.
“I worked with him in a metal fabrication art studio, and that was where my love of sculpture came from,” Copeland said, “After years of working with him, he said, ‘Go get your piece of paper and start your own studio.’ I took him verbatim.”
Copeland received his BFA from Ball State University in 2013. In 2014, Copeland’s short vacation to Denver transformed into a five-year career when he started C-Squared Studios, along with a gallery in the 40 West Arts district. Copeland solidified his talents as a sculptor, metal fabricator, and landscaper before bringing his shop back to Valparaiso in 2019.
Copeland rebranded his business as C2 Fab LLC and continues to serve the Valpo community.
A cultural staple of Valparaiso’s downtown, Copeland takes pride in his “Birds of Paradise” project. Copeland and illustrator Melissa Washburn designed the 10-bird sculpture scavenger hunt as a fun and educational contribution to public art in the spring of 2021.
“The birds are super cool,” Copeland said, “Most of them are very brightly colored. They’re all native birds in Northwest Indiana. Like the blue heron, wood duck, barn owl, and woodpecker.”
Copeland is also thrilled about his latest contract with the Valparaiso Parks and Recreation Department and Creative Council. His latest sculpture for the Flounder & Friends Skatepark is set to be delivered later this spring.
“Art is a hub for conversation. There are so many avenues for art to bring people together,” Copeland said, “I think putting an inspirational sculpture in the center of a community can help inspire. For the skater kids, they can be inspired to build cool stuff or start a business, and I can be the guy that struck a conversation with them or inspired them. That’s the beauty of it.”
Copeland recently left a corporate job in favor of being a full-time artist and fabricator. He is also working toward wedding preparations with his fiancée, Jess.
Copeland is also now vice president of a local, burgeoning nonprofit known as Vidette Makes. Started in 2020, the business focuses on building community with technical professionals and creatives.
“It’s a makerspace group and social network right now,” Copeland said, “My goal is to open up a space for people to come and take classes and learn art, machining, metal fabrication, and woodworking.”
The makerspace group is intended for various age groups and will focus on bringing inventor and entrepreneurial mentorships and additional vocational or creative opportunities.
“I like working with people and making dreams a reality,” Copeland said, “If you have an idea for something in your head and you want it figured out, we have the connections to make it happen.”
Vidette Makes is currently reaching out to local channels and networks as it plans for a fall or winter debut for its makerspace.
For more information about Valparaiso’s upcoming makerspace group, visit videttemakes.org, and for additional information about C2 Fab LLC, visit c2fab.com.