[TheForge] Blacksmith Training Programs

Tue Feb 12 15:39:45 2002

Thanks, Dan, and everyone else so, far who have provided feedback on
developing a 
Blacksmith Program at UC/College of Applied Science. I know many people are
committed to 
expanding the art and I greatly appreciate all of you in the trenches doing
it every day.

Ray Miller
Cincinnati

BTW, Many people here think UC ought to just stick with a great basketball
program.....;-)

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Armstrong [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2002 12:18 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Blacksmith Training Programs

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)" <[email protected]>
To: "'theforge'" <[email protected]>
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

_______________________________________________
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
theforge mail list group photo site is
http://www.photoaccess.com
Login:  [email protected]
password:  anvil
___________