[TheForge] Blacksmith Training Programs

[Dan Armstrong]

Good morning, Ray!

My experience in rural British Columbia has been encouraging re:
developing a blacksmithing program. Kootenay School of the Arts, where I
teach, is in Nelson, B.C., a town of approx. 12,000 plus heavy tourist
load in the summers.

The school has 150 students total. In first year I typically have two
classes of 12 each, one 6 hour day per week for 15 weeks (a semester).
We also offer 3 day workshops to the community which run if we get 5
people or more (and we almost always do).

My emphasis is on developing 'working artists' so I try to find a blend
of vocational and expressive ironwork for students to explore. Technique
comes first, followed as soon as possible with creative endeavor. In an
Applied Science framework, I would imagine that technique development
would be followed with some practical iron constructions. As someone
said on the Forum recently, 'now go build a bridge!'  One of my students
built a wrought iron umbrella using rivets, mortise and tenon joins,
forged square tubing, etc., and it worked!

Considering the larger population centre and University context, I know
that the University of Washington in Seattle has offered blacksmithing
courses, perhaps just to the community. I believe that Dorothy Stiegler
may have been involved with that and it might be worth a follow up.

Also, I think a case can be made for blacksmithing and a wood program to
overlap and support each other. Makes more sense than combining with
Jewelry (which is being considered for us).

Good luck with your dean. Take a hammer to meetings.

DanA.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Miller, Ray (GEAE)" <Ray.Miller@ae.ge.com>
To: "'theforge'" <theforge@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2002 3:55 AM
Subject: [TheForge] Blacksmith Training Programs


> Good Morning Everyone!!
> In addition to my having a day job working as an "engineer", and my