Cold Edge Gallery was founded in 2012 by Gary and Michele Pochmara, a couple whose shared passion for art and travel evolved into a business rooted in abstract metal design. What began as an unexpected retirement project has since developed into a studio producing contemporary wall art influenced by decades of global exploration.
After retiring from a career in electrical controls design and control panel build, Gary Pochmara found himself adjusting to a quieter pace of life. The turning point came in April 2012, when Michele, his wife and partner of more than forty-four years, announced: “I’m bored,” declared Michele, his wife and partner of more than forty-four years.
Encouraged to find a hobby, Michele quickly returned with a plan. “Well, guess what? I found a hobby!” she announced. “We are going to make artwork. Abstract metal wall art. And the name of the company will be Cold Edge Gallery.”
Gary’s response reflected both surprise and curiosity. “Oh, we are huh?” he asked. Michele’s reply set the course for their collaboration. “Yes,” she confirmed, laying down the rules. “But you’re going to have to help me and design pieces of your own.”
A Partnership Shaped by Global Influence
The couple’s creative direction drew heavily on years of international travel. Over several decades, they collected art and inspiration from markets in Africa, galleries in Europe, and islands across the Caribbean. These experiences informed a design language that blends organic movement with geometric precision.
Michele brought a natural eye for aesthetics, while Gary contributed technical expertise and spatial awareness developed during his engineering career. His ability to visualise complex compositions and translate them into precise metal forms became central to the studio’s output. Together, they launched Cold Edge Gallery later that year.
The company’s collections now span wall art, corporate office installations, room dividers, Art Deco designs, sea life themes, religious art, and other categories. The focus remains on abstract metal pieces that combine structure with fluidity.
Investing in Efficiency and Environmental Responsibility
As the business grew, the couple expanded their production capabilities. After supporting their son and his business partner in growing their own metalworking operations, Gary and Michele invested in advanced machinery to automate aspects of the artwork process. This shift was designed to maintain quality while controlling costs.
Efficiency improvements also shaped the studio’s environmental approach. Lighting was replaced with LED systems, and insulation upgrades were carried out to reduce natural gas consumption. Aluminum offcuts and unused materials are recycled as part of routine operations.
These measures reflect a commitment to reducing waste and improving energy performance within the workshop. While Cold Edge Gallery operates at a relatively small scale, its production processes incorporate practical steps aimed at lowering environmental impact.
A Structured Approach to Custom Commissions
Alongside its standard collections, Cold Edge Gallery undertakes custom projects for residential and commercial clients. The company outlines a three-step process to translate client ideas into finished pieces.
The first stage centres on client input. “Share your idea,” Gary would prompt. He welcomes challenges, whether it’s an elaborate room divider, large custom 3D artwork, a complex outdoor sign or just a simple small piece of somebody’s dream.
The second stage involves digital design. Using advanced CAD software, concepts are developed into detailed digital models. Proportions, angles, and structural considerations are reviewed before final approval is sought from the client.
The final stage covers fabrication and installation. Once completed, clients receive detailed instructions to support installation. Where needed, renderings can be provided to help visualise how a piece will appear within a specific space.
Continuing After Loss
In recent years, Cold Edge Gallery has also become part of a personal journey. Michele passed away following a battle with breast cancer. Before her death, she made one request: that Gary continue creating art.
Her insistence that the work should carry on has shaped the studio’s direction since. Gary continues to design and produce pieces, maintaining the collaborative vision that defined the gallery’s beginnings.
Each commission and new design reflects both the original partnership and the global influences that inspired it. The studio remains active, producing abstract metal artwork for clients across different regions.
Craftsmanship and Small-Scale Manufacturing
Cold Edge Gallery operates within a broader context of independent design studios and small manufacturing businesses that combine artistry with technical production. Metalworking, particularly in decorative applications, requires a balance between engineering precision and aesthetic judgement.
By integrating digital design tools with hands-on fabrication, the gallery reflects a model of contemporary craft production. Investments in automation and workshop upgrades have allowed the business to maintain consistency while adapting to changing client expectations.
The studio’s environmental adjustments align with wider efforts across small manufacturing enterprises to improve energy efficiency and material recovery. Recycling aluminium and reducing energy use in production contribute to incremental reductions in operational footprint.
A Legacy in Metal
More than a decade after its founding, Cold Edge Gallery continues to produce abstract metal artwork shaped by travel, collaboration, and engineering expertise. The gallery’s origins in a retirement conversation have developed into an established creative practice.
Gary Pochmara remains at the helm, designing and fabricating new pieces while honouring the partnership that started it all. Through ongoing collections and custom commissions, Cold Edge Gallery continues to translate global inspiration into sculpted metal form.
