To work with iron in a spartan and ascetic fashion requires courage. Rather than the addition of some trademark technique or design element, it is the absence of the extraneous in Marc Maiorana’s work that is his methodology. Surfaces are pristine, with little suggestion that a heavy tool or a formidable machine played any part in forming the steel. The courage is that of exposure—the vulnerability of immaculate design.
— from “Inspired,” a book about Penland’s core fellows and resident artists
This summer, we are excited to welcome former resident artist Marc Mairorana back to Penland to lead our first session iron workshop. Marc will teach Form Follows Steel, two weeks of forging, fabrication, and design that will run May 26-June 7. He will draw on his background as a blacksmith, sculptor, and designer to introduce students to a selection of the techniques he uses in the creation of his elegant, functional pieces. Whether you’re interested in sculptural forms or household objects like vessels and utensils, a session in the Penland iron studio with Marc is sure to inspire you with new skills, new ideas, and new ways to approach design in metal.
Scholarships are still available for this workshop. Applications are being taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Submit yours and join us in the studio! More information.
