Iron Workshops at Penland
Penland offers 1 to 8-week workshops taught by visiting instructors in our well-equipped studios. Class topics include traditional blacksmithing, forging and forming steel and iron, metal sculpture, working with found metal, finishing techniques, and more. Workshops are open to serious students of all levels unless specified in course description; beginners welcome.
Register for Workshops
Workshops are open to serious students of all levels unless specified in course description; beginners welcome.
Summer scholarship information; summer scholarship application deadline is February 15.
Please read this note about our session schedules.
IRON FALL SHORT SESSION
SEPTEMBER 24 – 29, 2023 (four studio days)
Abraham Pardee
From Fire to Form
Learn the fundamentals of blacksmithing by making small functional objects. Using techniques such as tapering, twisting, scrolling, punching, splitting, riveting, and forge-welding, we’ll explore the amazing plastic properties of hot steel to give it shape and purpose. We’ll begin with simple items (hooks, bottle openers) and basic tool-making (chisels, punches) and then move to projects that use joinery to connect components (candlesticks, pot racks, etc.). Whether you’ve never forged before or are looking to review skills and expand your repertoire, this workshop will be a fast-paced survey of forging with an eye toward smart design. Beginning level.
Professor at American College of Building Arts (SC); teaching: Appalachian Center for Craft (TN), Campbell Folk School (NC), Eureka Springs School of the Arts (AR); exhibitions: Best of Tennessee Craft (TN); collections: City of Cookeville (TN), Metal Museum (TN).
pardeemetal.com | @pardeemetal
Regular enrollment will begin on May 1.
IRON FALL WEEKEND SESSION
October 20–22, 2023
Andy Dohner
Forging FUNdamentals for the Kitchen
Students in this workshop will learn the fundamentals of forging while making functional kitchen utensils. While the focus will be on forging utensils from single pieces of steel, students will be able to explore other possibilities. We’ll cover conventional and unconventional techniques like drawing a taper, isolating mass, spreading, and various connection options. Be prepared to work with fellow students of varying skill levels in a fun, safe environment that will encourage creativity. All levels.
Studio artist; teaching: Peters Valley (NJ), Touchstone (PA), Campbell Folk School (NC), Center for Metal Arts (PA), California Blacksmith Association, The Steel Yard (RI); exhibitions: Madison Morgan Cultural Center (GA), Metals Museum (TN), Penland Gallery.
Enrollment for this workshop will begin on May 1.
Iron Spring Concentration
March 3 – April 26, 2024 (8 Weeks)
Anna R. Koplik
Tongs, Hammers, and Other Slammers
This workshop will explore the self-sufficient nature of blacksmithing as students make a series of tools. Each tool will aid in the creation of the next and this series of projects will help develop basic forging skills. We’ll make hammers, tongs, top tools, power hammer tooling, bending forks and jigs, and more. The workshop structure will allow students to make tools to suit their interests, culminating in making functional or sculptural projects of their own design. Demonstrations will focus on refining forging technique, proper heat treatment, and finishing. We’ll work to understand how form and function go hand in hand. Expect lots of hand hammering, striking with sledgehammers, power hammer work, a welcoming and inclusive environment, and breaks for dance parties. All levels.
Artist fellow at Peters Valley (NJ), journeyman architectural blacksmith, tool and utensil maker; teaching: Penland, Touchstone (PA), Peters Valley (NJ), Haystack (ME), Center for Metal Arts (PA), Campbell Folk School (NC), Desert Metal Craft (AZ), Brookfield (CT), She-Weld (NY), Dragons Breath Forge (CT); recent exhibition: Penland Gallery.
Scholarship application deadline is August 15.
Regular enrollment begins October 2.
Iron – Spring Short Session
April 28-May 3, 2024 (4 Studio Days)
Addison de Lisle
Leaf it to Me: Botanical Candlesticks
Candlesticks are a great way to explore the sculptural potential of ironwork while keeping a toe in the functional world. This workshop will walk students through the process of forging botanical-style candlesticks that take advantage of the organic qualities of forged iron. Along the way we’ll get comfortable with using forge-welding to make visually exciting pieces from simple parts. Other blacksmithing techniques will include drawing down, bending, upsetting, hot cutting, and drifting. This workshop will be of use to beginners looking to develop their technique as well as experienced students interested in pushing their design skills. All levels.
Studio artist; former professor of blacksmithing at American College of Building Arts (SC); workshop teaching: Haystack (ME), Appalachian Center for Craft (TN), Center for Metal Arts (PA), University of Southern Illinois-Carbondale; exhibitions; Metal Museum (TN), Institute for Contemporary Art (ME), Wayne Art Center (PA).
addisondelisle.com | @de_lisle_iron
Scholarship application deadline is August 15.
Regular enrollment begins October 2.
