USA (Northeast)
Connecticut
Guilford Art Center [blacksmith school]
11 Church Street, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
203-453-5947
www.guilfordartcenter.org
The Guilford Art Center School offers year-round classes and workshop for adults and children at all levels–for those simply wanting to explore something new to those looking to further develop existing skills. Weekly classes are offered at our on-site facilities in blacksmithing, ceramics, drawing, fiber and metal work, painting, printmaking, photography, and more.
Blacksmithing classes are presented by highly-skilled professionals like Bill Scheer, an interpreter and blacksmith in the Mystic Seaport Shipsmith Shop.
Maine
Gould Academy [blacksmith school]
39 Church Street, Bethel, ME 04217, USA
207-824-7700
Gouldacademy.org
At Gould we understand that each student is different. Our small size, dedicated faculty, and approach to teaching and learning allow us to meet students where they are along their own continuum of academic and social development.
The Art Cottage is the creative epicenter of campus, where students gather for art electives ranging from Blacksmithing and Ceramics to Print Making and Painting. It also houses the Owen Art Gallery, where art shows feature the works of students and visiting artists throughout the year.
Gould offers Artist Blacksmithing which focuses on the production of forged ironwork. Emphasis will be placed on the design and function of tools, hardware, and utensils.
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts [blacksmith school]
22 Church Street, Deer Isle, ME 04627, USA
207-348-2306
www.haystack-mtn.org
Structure can be observed in everything—in the lines that form a bridge, stacking of scrap metal, the zigzag of a stairwell or alley way. Workshop participants will learn to translate these observations into a two dimensional plane using repousse’, pattern and patina as a vocabulary. Repousse’ is a technique that works metal from both sides to create a form, manipulating the material to its fullest expression. Participants should bring ideas or examples of compositions they are interested in or find stimulating, as starting points to work from. Demonstrations will include forging, joinery, texturing, surface coloring, and tool making. All levels welcome.
Massachusetts
Hancock Shaker Village Museum [blacksmith school]
1843 West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, USA
413-443-0188 / 800-817-1137
Hancockshakervillage.org
Master blacksmith, William Senseney, teaches introductory and higher level classes throughout the year at the Hancock Shaker Village Forge. Most classes conducted on the weekends, 9:30-4:30 both days; some multiple-day seminars. Courses include Blacksmithing 1 through 5, Colonial Hardware, Rose and Floral Design, Fanciful Faces & Whimsical Figures, Blacksmithing for Young People (12-17 years), Shaker Ironware, Forged Knife Making, Damascus (Pattern) Welded Steel, and even Introduction to Traditional Hand Engraving Workshops.
New Jersey
Peters Valley Craft Center
19 Kuhn Road Leyton, NJ 07851
973-948-5200
www.pvcrafts.org
Visit www.pvcrafts.org for more information
New York
Cornell University Farrier Short Course
Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
607-253-3127
www.vet.cornell.edu/education/farrier
The College of Veterinary Medicine is proud to offer two courses in farriery: the General Farrier Short Course and the Advanced Farrier Course. The program is housed in the Equine Hospital of the Cornell University Hospital for Animals. Participants will experience daily interaction with veterinarians and the resident farrier working on in-patient lameness cases.
International School of Blacksmithing
6431 Carman Road, Trumansburg, NY 14886, USA
607-387-4493
www.lightlink.com/durand
As one who has wielded a blacksmith’s hammer for 25 years, since his late teens, Durand Van Doren has pursued the creation of fine ironwork with a single-mindedness rare in almost any career. After a start in a small production shop, Durand took early formal training with Master Smith Frank Turley in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He went on to develop an extensive network of private and commercial clients, via prestigious craftwork expositions and centers throughout the Northeast.
Durand offers workshops for beginners and intermediate students. At present, beginners generally attend a one-day session (10-5pm), with lunch and snacks provided. Instruction includes hands-on work at the forge and anvil; forge-building from scrap materials; demonstration of the seven pillars of blacksmithing; and history of the craft with a modern overview.
Rochester Equine Clinic
Box 2071, Rochester, NH 03867
603-332-6482
Contact 603-332-6482 for more details.
Rochester Arc & Flame Center [blacksmith school]
125 Fedex Way, Rochester, NY 14624
585-349-7110
experience@rocafc.com
www.rocafc.com
We teach a variety of blacksmithing, bladesmithing, welding and glass classes.
Pennsylvania
Far Hills Forge
2391 Ringhoffer Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
610-748-8775 or cell: 908-797-4433
www.farhillsforge.com
Not only is Sonny offering his well known and time tested video/home based farrier instruction course, he’s also providing personal instruction again! Training and instruction is provided on an almost one on one basis.
Hoffmans Forge, LLC
2301 Duss Ave #26, Ambridge, PA 15003, USA
724-251-9320
www.hoffmansforge.com
Jymm offers workshops and demonstrations with his historically correct 18th century military traveling forge, equipment and clothing, or his modern traveling equipment. Class size limited to five students.
Pennsylvania Institute for Horseshoeing
1584 Marengo Rd, Warriors Mark, PA 16877, USA
814-692-7496
www.pafarrierschool.com
The Pennsylvania Institute for Horseshoeing offers a six-week horseshoeing course that concentrates on the following: intermediate equine leg and foot anatomy and physiology; proper horse handling; foot trimming; shoeing; basic work on a forge.
Touchstone Center for Crafts
1049 Wharton Furnace Rd, Farmington, PA 15437, USA
800-721-0177
www.touchstonecrafts.com
Visit www.touchstonecrafts.com for more information.
image: Wikimedia Commons
