Aslan’s Garden Artists
Milt Williams Sr.
The original “Shop in the Garden” was created by Carmel artist Milton Williams in 1958.
Having moved from San Francisco after WW II, Milton Williams and his wife Florence (“Flo”) settled in Pacific Grove where they raised their three sons – Nicklas Steve and Milton junior.
Using the metalwork skills he learned as a Marine blacksmith during the war, Milt created his unique garden and copper sculpture gallery in a spacious outdoor courtyard in the heart of Carmel. He became well known for his whimsical creations including copper crickets, ladybugs, mushroom lamps and beautifully sculpted copper fountains.
“Milt was making things with metal in the 1950’s when everyone else was into mass production and plastic, but he loved what he was doing,” Largent says. He was definitely one of a kind.
Milt Williams Jr.
Milt Jr. learned the metal craft business from his father. He was often spotted in the shop clanging away on the anvil while listening to Chet Baker. Milt was also a gifted jazz pianist who graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a degree in art. After his parents passed away in the late ‘90s, Milt ran the shop until it was sold to Michael Largent in 2005.
Michael Largent
Michael, the current owner of Aslan’s Garden, started working in the shop (then called “The Shop in the Garden”) in 1967 as an apprentice metal sculptor/coppersmith with Milt Williams Sr.. He has been associated with the garden shop ever since.
Sarah Moody
Sarah started working in the garden 12 years ago. She learned copper sculpting from both Milt Jr. and Michael Largent. In addition to gardening, managing the shop and taking care of customers, Sarah creates original metalwork for the shop.