I talked to Douglas Polczynski at the Columbus Arts Festival.

Tell me about your form of art.

I do leatherworking. It is a varied art form. Anything from purses, utilitarian items like wallets and belts, all the way to full art pieces.

What is the price range for your work?

I try to keep myself at around $20 per hour.

Anything else?

I want people to learn. This is a dying art form. Not many people are doing this anymore. Things are being made in factories, not by hand. The men I learned from are in their nineties. I am looking for a new generation to pick the ball up. 

Do you offer classes?

Yes. We offer classes at COSM (Central Ohio School of Metalwork). I teach classes for kids, boy scouts, and through the Ohio Craft Museum.

What about older people?

We have classes for all ages at COSM