Penland Iron Workshops

Workshops are open to serious students of all levels unless specified in course description; beginners welcome.

Colby Brinkman, Gabriel Lamp, steel, glass, 54 x 26 x 12 in.

& Haley Woodward, Enlargement # 2, steel, 30 x 26 x 10 in.

This class will focus on the partnership between the blacksmith and the striker, covering proper technique for both leading the striker and using the sledge hammer. We will begin by producing the tools needed for this method of forging, which will include forging different types of steel into top and bottom tooling and heat treatments. We will explore both abstract and representational shapes for ornamental and sculptural iron work to show the limitless possibilities that can be achieved with two and three people working together. This class will be physically demanding. Intermediate level: basic smithing skills required. Code 02i

Colby: studio artist and blacksmithing nerd; proprietor of Metal Mantis Productions (TX), co-founder of the Metal Authority (TX); teaching: Metal Authority (TX), The Steel Yard (RI). Haley: blacksmith and metal fabricator; teaching: Austin Community College (TX); graduate student at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

2nd Session also includes Crafting Memory, Dreaming History: Writing from Experience, a special writing workshop with Sharona Muir.

Hoss Haley, Daedalus, cast iron, steel,

bronze, 98 x 48 x 28 in.

Developed by the ancient Greeks and perfected in the Renaissance, one or more of these basic functions are part of every machine used today: lever, wheel, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, screw. In this class we will explore the wonders of mechanical advantage. We will pay careful attention to the design of mechanical pieces while covering a broad range of techniques including basic forging, welding, fabrication, drilling, and cutting. All levels. Code 03i

Studio artist; teaching: Haystack (ME), Penland; exhibitions: Mint Museums (NC), New Mexico Museum (Santa Fe), California Crafts Museum (San Francisco), North Carolina Museum of Art, Blue Spiral I (NC); commissions: Pack Square (NC), Charlotte Area Transit System (NC), Sam Houston State University (TX).

3rd Session also includes Sound and Light for Things, a special sound and lighting workshop with Shawn Decker.

Mike Rossi, Anchor, forge-welded steel, enamel

paint, rust, 72 x 45 in.

This intensive workshop will focus on designing and making sculptural and useful objects from hot-forged iron. We will start with some fundamental exercises and cover hand-forging, power-hammer work, finishing techniques, and anything else of interest--including inflating steel and forging bronze. We will emphasize using blacksmithing techniques for making original, contemporary work. Plan to work hard, have fun, and leave with new skills and finished pieces. All levels. Code 04i

Studio artist; teaching: Ox-Bow (MI), Kalamazoo College (MI), Penland; exhibitions: Target Gallery (VA), National Ornamental Metals Museum (Memphis), Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Delta Axis Gallery (Memphis), Brookfield Craft Center (CT); participant in FERRO 2005 (Germany).

Rebekah Frank, Untitled, Cloven,

steel, iron, 28 x 3 x 4 in.

Bringing forged work out of its usual context and onto the body, students will experiment with the language of blacksmithing to create wearable pieces. The class will use smaller dimensioned material and play with a variety of connections unique to blacksmithing. Techniques will include basic forging (drawing, fullering, upsetting, drifting, punching, and riveting) as well as cutting, drilling, soldering, and finishing. The class will challenge skilled blacksmiths to think small, while creating an entry point for jewelers to get the feel of working with steel. All levels. Code 05i

Studio artist; Finlandia Foundation grant; collections: Cranbrook Museum (MI), Frankel Foundation (MI); exhibitions: Galerie Marzee (Netherlands), Espace Solidor (France), Velvet da Vinci (San Francisco).

Stephen Yusko, Blue Box Series:

Renew, forged and fabricated steel,

glass, 13-1/2 x 7-3/4 x 4 in.

This class will emphasize the exploration of form, line, and surface, while working primarily with forged and fabricated steel to create vessels that stand alone as well as vessels incorporated into furniture. Through technical demonstrations and discussions about design and function, we will work to create objects that balance the industrial history of the material with a gracefulness of form. Along with forging solid bar stock and tubing/pipe, we will cover pattern and texture on sheet/plate, joinery, and finishing processes. All levels. Code 06i

Studio artist; teaching: Touchstone (PA), Souto Studio (Venezuela), Haystack (ME); exhibitions: Society for Contemporary Craft (Pittsburgh), Arkansas Art Center, National Ornamental Metals Museum (Memphis).

Jeffrey Funk, Menorah, wrought iron

This class will explore forging simple but important tools used for cultivating the land. Prior to the industrial revolution and the establishment of the factory system, blacksmiths were called upon to make iron tools of all sorts for use on farms and homesteads. Handmade tools can employ the intent and spirit of the maker/user better than any manufactured item, while providing an excellent opportunity to develop forging technique. There are a number of simple cultivation tools that are within the reach of the student blacksmith that offer an opportunity to produce something of lasting functional and aesthetic value.

The class is open to both novice and experienced students; projects will be assigned accordingly. We will emphasize building the important skill sets that are important for any forged work. Beginning projects will include trowels, sickles, drawknives, and goosnecked hoes. For those with more experience, possibilities include billhooks, adzes, axes, eyed hoes, double-ended eye hoes, and shovels. Emphasizing sustainable blacksmithing practices, we will work primarily with hand tools, use scrap steel when we can, and fire our forges with charcoal. All levels. Code 07i

Studio artist; teaching: Peters Valley (NJ), University of Montana, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; commissions: Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville), Idaho Panhandle National Forest.

7th Session also includes Business Time, a special business practice workshop with Phil Sanders.

Jay Burnham-Kidwell, Chef’s Knife, damascus steel,

mokume-gane, acacia, 1 x 11-1/2 x 10 inches

This workshop will be an intensive exploration of forging iron and steel. We’ll use traditional and contemporary techniques including forging, bending, splitting, punching, joinery, and forge and modern welding to create exciting utilitarian and sculptural objects. The workshop will include tool making, Damascus steel, finishing, and presentation along with demonstrations, field trips, and guest artists. We’ll take raw materials and make them come alive through concentrated individual and team efforts. All levels. Code F00i

Studio artist: professor emeritus from Mohave Community College (AZ); collections: National Ornamental Metal Museum (TN), university of Georgia, West Dean College (UK); teaches and demonstrates nationally.

Mike Rossi, 5 White Lines for John Hawkwood,

forged steel, paint, 42 x 72 inches

This workshop will use blacksmithing techniques to create meaningful contemporary sculpture and useful objects. We’ll start with introductory exercises and then move into self-directed projects. The workshop will be based in hot forging and forming, including hand- and power-hammer forging of steel and bronze, sheet metal forming, inflation, joinery, and simple toolmaking. We’ll also cover finishing techniques, including bringing color to surface. Throughout, we’ll consider the underlying content of our work and investigate the place of blacksmithing in contemporary life. We’ll work hard, have fun, and create many new objects. All levels. Code F00i

Studio artist; teaching: Penland, Ox-Bow (MI), Kalamazoo College; exhibitions: Torpedo Factory (VA), National Ornamental Metals Museum (TN), Houston Center for Contemporary Art (TX); participant in FERRO 2005 (Germany).