Metal Forging with Volunteers

ADULTS 18+ WHO HAVE SPARE TIME DURING THE WEEK/DAYTIME

These workshops will explore the practice of a Blacksmith and the many types of tools and objects the blacksmith forged and cast from metal. Participants will be taken through the process of heating metal and shaping this on an anvil, working with Iron and Steel (Iron is alloyed with carbon today to make steel ). Blacksmiths were at the heart of an small village providing a service of tool maker, sword-smith, horse dealer and even the producer or agricultural machinery.

East Dunbartonshire had a number of smiddy’s across towns and villages, there are a number of images from EDLC archive collection which can be used as discussion and inspiration relating the craft to small communities. Participants will have the opportunity to work with a practicing Blacksmith and public Artist in a temporary studio at Kilmardinny Arts Centre, Bearsden. We can provide short courses for school pupils and an extended Master course for adult volunteers. Volunteers will be able to use their skills to forge objects as part of personal projects or for a community location. They will also be encouraged to support community workshop events such as Door Open Day and the Canal Festival.

If you would like to volunteer for the master course please contact us for more information.