Western States Blacksmithing Conference - Mt. Hood, OR

Carmel Artist-Blacksmith Alan Drew was invited to be one of 6 demonstrators at the August Western States Blacksmith Conference at Government Camp, Oregon. The gathering included the West’s most noted Artist-Blacksmith’s who as group revere and support education for up and coming artists.

The event kicked off with Opening Ceremonies in a large outdoor amphitheater, dramatically back- dropped by Mt. Hood, where a crowd of 150 Blacksmiths, students and visitors enjoyed the music of six musicians, including Drew, who had just met the night before and put their show together. Following the music was a demonstration on hand forging a traditional alpine Ice Axe by Montana artist Jeffery Funk. The culmination of his Demonstration was when he pulled a piece of Andesite Lava from a kiln and drove the completed Ice Axe through the molten rock permanently embedding it there.

Drew’s demonstration included a lecture and power point on his approach to environmental design followed the next day by a demonstration of a number of forging techniques used together to create a small candelabra.

You can read more about the event and view Alan Drew’s work at http://www.borromeoforge.com or visit the Borroméo Forge Gallery on S.E. San Carlos & 7th in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For more information on the art and opportunities in Blacksmithing please visit The California Blacksmith’s Association website at http://www.calsmith.org.