Upcoming Seminars
To receive upcoming seminar information please email us at info@centerformetalarts.com
Winter sessions 2012:
We have a mix of advanced workshops for those of you who have been asking, along with the introductory courses in Basic Blacksmithing and Copper Fold Forming. More classes are in the works, including the annual return of Fred Crist and of course Charles Lewton-Brain. If there is a class you would like to see, email us at
info@centerformetalarts.com, or leave a comment on our Center for Metal Arts Facebook page.
Hot Sheet Forming Seminar 1
with Vivian Beer
Weekend January 14-15, 2012: (Snow date Jan. 21-22)
The tooling that appears on anvils and leg vises for the Hot Sheet Forming workshop are beautiful in themselves–a collection of forms and negative space ready to fold and curve and bend the hot iron. From improv sinking tools to a concave tree stump and swage blocks, the tooling is a playground for hot sheet forming. Vivian Beer put together this class when she wouldn’t find anything like it offered, and she taught herself the techniques behind her flying, ribboned, curvy art furniture works.
$360 + 35 materials. Deposit of $180 holds a place in the workshop.
Early Registration Discount: Register by midnight January 1 for $375, materials included.
Full Session Discount: Register for both class by midnight January 1 for $360 for each session, materials included. Deposit of $360.
Call 1-888-862-9577 or email register@centerformetalarts.com with any questions
Forging the Iron with Vivian Beer
Saturday January 28, 2012 (Snow Date Feb. 4)
Learn the basics of working hot iron at your own well-tooled anvil. For beginner blacksmiths, or for someone who would like more time at the anvil to perfect their hand at forging techniques. We supply the forge and fuel, individual fully equipped workstation, instruction, and iron to forge and take home.
$120 includes materials. Register with $60 deposit, with the balance due day of the workshop.
Call 1-888-862-9577 or email register@centerformetalarts.com with any questions
Creative Sheet Forming Seminar II with Vivian Beer
Weekend February 11, 2012 (Snow Date Feb. 18-19)
In this class we will form and fabricate steel sheet in order to make hollow expressive forms. Topics of pattern making, basic hot and cold forming, tool selection, welding, and finishing with various abrasives will be introduced. We cut, form, weld and grind our way from flat sheet material to expressive three dimensional form. Learn ways to take free-form metal working beyond the limits of standard fabrication practice, with applications form sculpture to master bodywork. Take Seminar I to get the most out of this workshop. (Intermediate to Advanced)
Deposit of $180 holds a place in the workshop.
Early Registration Discount for Vivian Beer's Creative Sheet Forming weekend workshop 2/11-12: Register by midnight January 1 for $375, materials included.
Full Session Discount: Register for both class by midnight January 1 for $360 for each session, materials included. Deposit of $360
Call 1-888-862-9577 or email register@centerformetalarts.com with any questions
Forging the Nonferrous Metals with Darren Fisher
Saturday Feb. 25, 2012 (Snow date March 3)
In this class you will learn techniques for forging silicon bronze, brass, copper, and aluminum. Working processes such as annealing, work hardening, and tool prep are covered and treated as the basics. Students who are interested in forging sterling silver are welcome to bring your own supplies for some specific instruction on working this material. This class will center on jewelry scale forging, but can also touch on smaller architectural pieces like knobs and handles. Darren will demonstrate several simple classical forms for you to work on, to get a feel of how the metal moves. You will also walk away with several pieces that can be easily turned into finished jewelry. Techniques will center on using only a few simple hammers and one forming stake, so this class is useful for the student with a limited studio space.
This is a one-day Saturday workshop. $120 + $25 materials. A deposit of $60 holds an anvil in the classroom for you. Balance due the day of the workshop.
Call 1-888-862-9577 or email register@centerformetalarts.com with any questions
Patinas for the Small Studio with Darren Fisher
Saturday March 17, 2012 (Snow date March 24)
This class will focus on the patination of copper based alloys. Copper brass and bronze are the most responsive metals and achieve extreme variations in texture and color. Most of the patinas will utilize color via chemical reaction rather than paints and stains. There will also be some demonstrations of texture to help develop patinas further. If time permits, we can also dive into some simple patinas in silver and steel. Safety (respirators, if necessary) and proper chemical handling will be discussed. We will focus on easily obtainable solutions for the small studio.
$120 + $20 material fee. A deposit of $60 holds an anvil in the classroom for you. Balance due the first day of class.
Call 1-888-862-9577 or email register@centerformetalarts.com with any questions
Moldmaking and Sculpting with Darren Fisher
April 14 -15, 2012
Two-day concentration with accomplished moldmaker Darren Fisher. See Darren Fisher's bio and sample works on Facebook | Center for Metal Arts. More details will follow here, on the blog, and on Facebook.
To put yourself on the class list, email register@centerformetalarts.com or call (845) 651-7550.
Call 1-888-862-9577 or email register@centerformetalarts.com with any questions
"Free-form Forging--the Coolest Class I've Ever Seen"
-The Village Voice
"I learned more about working metal in five days with Uri Hofi than I did in five years of the German metalwork apprenticeship program"
-student review Spring 2008
Comprehensive Fundamentals of Blacksmithing with Uri Hofi:
Postponed New Date TBA
In this 5-day forging intensive, you will learn to move metal in new ways, and move it more effectively. This 5-day blacksmithing class is always lively, with a rare chance to learn the "how and why" of blacksmithing techniques and processes from the innovative Hofi himself. When professional blacksmiths come back to re-take this course two or more times, you know there is more in the course content than you can carry away in one week.
Small group for maximum access and personal instruction with Hofi.
Cost is $1240 plus materials. Registration with $ 620 deposit to hold a seat.
Call 1-888-862-9577 or email register@centerformetalarts.com with any questions.
Power Hammer Workshop with
Uri Hofi:
Postponed New Date TBA
Two and a half day in "Free-Form Power Hammer Forging" -an intensive program of demonstrations and hands-on time. Learn how to use Hofi's signature dies to maximum advantage for efficient and effective power hammer work. You will leave with many new ideas and elements for your own work. Ideal for the smith who would like to get more out of the power hammer.
Cost is $1240 plus materials. Registration with $ 620 deposit to hold a seat.
Call 1-888-862-9577 or email register@centerformetalarts.com with any questions.
Power Hammer Workshop with
Uri Hofi:
Postponed New Date TBA
Two and a half day in "Free-Form Power Hammer Forging" -an intensive program of demonstrations and hands-on time. Learn how to use Hofi's signature dies to maximum advantage for efficient and effective power hammer work. You will leave with many new ideas and elements for your own work. Ideal for the smith who would like to get more out of the power hammer.
Cost is $1240 plus materials. Registration with $ 620 deposit to hold a seat.
Call 1-888-862-9577 or email register@centerformetalarts.com with any questions.
To Register: Please Choose One of Two options
1. Register Online:
2. Print out the registration form and either mail or email the completed form with the deposit to:
Center for Metal Arts, PO Box 30, Chester, NY 10918
register@centerformetalarts.com
Safety Requirements:
I am aware of the requirement to wear safety glasses during the class, and the requirement to provide and use adequate hearing loss protection. I accept full responsibility for providing and using adequate safety protection at all times, including fire-retardant clothes and closed-toe shoes. I understand that I will be asked to sign a release and hold harmless agreement upon entry to the course.
Refund Policy:
In the event that you are unable to attend the scheduled class, you will receive a refund of your deposit if and only if Center for Metal Arts is able to schedule someone else for your space.
All deposits will be fully refunded, at the sole discretion of the Center for Metal Arts, in the event the course is canceled for any reason.