Where Casting Lines and Creating Art Intertwine on the Island
Nantucket is a place where tradition thrives, where every cast into the Atlantic brings with it the possibility of a story. For Heather Unruh, that story often begins with a fishing line and ends with a piece of copper transformed into art. A former broadcast journalist turned full-time artist, Heather has found unexpected harmony between the patient practice of fishing and the rhythmic process of metalwork.
With salty breezes guiding her inspiration, Heather brings the essence of the island to life through her striking copper sculptures, each one rooted in the natural world and the culture that surrounds it.
Explore her portfolio at www.nantucketcoppersmith.com.
Casting Out, Drawing In
Mornings on Nantucket often start before the sun. The waves roll in gently, and anglers prepare their gear—waiting for the tug that signals a catch. It’s this quiet, meditative experience that Heather Unruh draws upon when she steps into her workshop.
“Fishing teaches you to pay attention to the details,” Heather says. “That awareness—the colors of the water, the way a fish moves—is what I carry into every piece I make.”
Her love for the sea is evident in the shapes and textures of her copperwork. From fish with oxidized turquoise scales to abstract interpretations of tidal patterns, Heather turns copper into visual memories of life 30 miles out to sea.
Follow her evolving work on Instagram @nantucketcoppersmith.
A Journey Forged in Fire and Salt
Heather’s creative awakening didn’t happen overnight. After leaving her award-winning career in television journalism, she found herself on a different kind of journey—one deeply personal. The ocean, always a place of reflection for her, became a refuge. Fishing, once a casual pastime, became a practice in healing and mindfulness.
“After my father passed away, I found some of his old tools in the workshop,” she shares. “That space, those objects—they sparked something.” Her father was a woodworker, her mother an artist. Heather had grown up in a house of makers. “I realized I could carry on that creative legacy, but in my own way—with copper.”
She now channels both the memory of her parents and the spirit of Nantucket into every hammered sheet of metal. Her personal story has resonated with many and was recently featured in New England Living, where her transition from journalist to artist was explored in depth.
Art, Community, and Sustainability
Fishing isn’t just sport on Nantucket—it’s community. It’s also a symbol of sustainability and balance, two values that Heather Unruh weaves into her work. She is a proud supporter of Sustainable Nantucket, and believes artists have a role in raising awareness about ocean conservation and environmental respect.
“I want my work to remind people of what’s at stake,” she says. “The beauty of marine life, the fragility of our coastlines—it’s all worth preserving.”
Heather has donated pieces to environmental causes and frequently collaborates with local nonprofits and galleries like the Nantucket Arts Council, merging art with advocacy. Her copper fish and seascapes are more than decoration—they’re a call to cherish and protect the wild spaces that inspire them.
Her commitment to Nantucket’s cultural life extends beyond her studio. As a host of events like the Boston Pops on Nantucket, she remains an active voice for creativity, community, and giving back.
Where You’ll Find Her
You’re just as likely to spot Heather Unruh with a fishing rod as you are with a hammer. She splits her time between shoreline walks, community events, and copper work that requires both strength and sensitivity.
Her art has appeared in local and regional media, including N Magazine, and her insights into island life, coastal inspiration, and creative reinvention can also be found on her YouTube channel.
Connect with Heather personally on Instagram @realheatherunruh or professionally via LinkedIn.
The Last Cast
Whether she’s catching fish or chasing ideas, Heather Unruh approaches both with the same philosophy: patience, presence, and purpose. Her copper works aren’t just art objects—they’re echoes of early mornings by the sea, of tangled lines and long casts, of salty air and memory.
As she says, “Fishing reminds you that what you’re looking for may take time—but the process is its own kind of beauty.”
