As a highly skilled metal artist and craftsman, Toth has been featured both nationally and internationally, with his work included in permanent museum exhibits and national archives. He is a National Heritage Fellow, receiving this prestigious award in 2003 from the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2006 Toth was recognized by the Historical Diving Society U.S. Chapter for his significant contributions, receiving the ER Cross Award. In 2008 he was awarded the Florida Folk Heritage Award, presented by the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, and in 2012 Toth was once again honored by the State of Florida, receiving his second Florida Individual Artist Fellowship.
With over 30 years of experience and a lifelong exposure and immersion in the culture and mysteries of the historic gulf front community of Tarpon Springs, he has many stories to tell and much knowledge to share. From the techniques of ancient naked divers to current day technology, Toth’s knowledge of the history of diving is informative and engaging. The evolution of hardhat diving will also be highlighted with special emphasis on Greek diving helmets.
Toth is considered to be the only helmet maker in the world that continues to individually create each beautiful diving helmet masterpiece, honoring the traditions and design that have existed since the mid-1800s. The iconic copper and brass diving helmets created by Nicholas Toth are fully functional, authentic and individually hand crafted, using the same tools and techniques that his grandfather, master helmet maker and legendary craftsman, Anthony Lerios, began utilizing over 100 years ago.
Each helmet takes over 320 hours to complete, made with the finest quality copper and brass. The lineage and value of a Nicholas Toth diving helmet is unmatched, with the historical foundation and significance of his grandfather’s knowledge and expertise; his masterful skills, techniques and tools utilized; and the quality and beauty of each finely crafted component of the diving helmet. Toth will also showcase several of his new copper and brass art pieces, beautifully inspired by shapes and elements found in the diving helmet.
Toth proudly honors the memory of his grandfather, Anthony Lerios, who died in 1992 at the age of 100. The month of July is especially significant for Toth, since it was July 7, 1913, when his grandfather landed on Ellis Island, having traveled from Greece to the United States.
For additional information about the artist visit his website at www.nicholastothfineart.com .