Blacksmithing Masterclass

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Level of competence – advanced students only

Duration of Workshop – 4 days - Wed. September 21 – Saturday 24

Cost - $280 + materials and equipment

In his working life as a blacksmith, Adrian has combined an extraordinary array of trade skills and experience with a desire to continually acquire new knowledge of the ancient craft of blacksmithing. This exciting journey of discovery led him into the art world.

Although much of his work would be described as functional and undecorated, the continual refinement of method, tooling and hand skills has given him a sense of what is right for a given purpose. His Smithy has become something of an institution with the Hobba family hosting the Great Dragonweyr Smite, where the craft of the blacksmith is celebrated with beginners and old hands. Adrian’s work has appeared regularly in exhibitions, his demonstrating and teaching experience is extensive and he is a first prize winner in the Dame Mary Durack Outback Crafts Awards for Blacksmithing.

Adrian has designed this workshop to cater for students who have achieved a level of  experience, competence and technical skill in blacksmithing, and who are confident enough in this discipline to design and plan an individual project well before the event. A plan or outline will be required when completing the application form and will be forwarded to Adrian. He will then advise on feasibility and reparation before the event. These projects will then be worked through under the tutelage of Adrian, using mutual planning, consultation and demonstration. Although each project will be individual, all participants in the workshop will be encouraged to assist each other, if requested.

Workshop Participants will need to provide their own forge, anvil and personal hand tools. Adrian does sell new anvils, and can make up forges for sale, but will require sufficient advance notice prior to the workshop of any orders. Appropriate safety gear is essential, and participants will also need to supply special steels or sections, depending on the scope of their individual project. A material and fuel fee for students will apply to cover the cost of charcoal and some steel, which Adrian will supply. He final figure for this fee will be dictated by the complexity and scale of the individual project, and an indication of the amount can be provided by Adrian upon submission of the project.