Groundworks Art Lab

When you hear the term “organic form” you probably don’t immediately think of cold, hard steel. This introductory four-week class hopes to challenge this assumption by asking the question, what defines organic forms and how can metal be used to create the appearance of natural plant forms?

Explore the process of hot-forging steel to replicate the beauty of nature in vines, branches, leaves, and other decorative organic elements. In this class, you’ll learn the basics of blacksmithing in our Metal Studio including the forge and anvil and all the tools necessary to bend, twist, and hammer shapes. This class will also incorporate the oxy-fuel torch and will investigate more advanced methods such as wrapping and riveting for joining individual parts to create a more complex whole.

This class has no prerequisites and is specifically set up for absolute beginners to this art form, however, the complexity of your piece will likely increase if you have prior forging experience. 

Additionally, our Metal Studio does have some safety basics before anyone is allowed to join in the fun (failure to meet these requirements will result in not being granted access to the equipment): 

• Please come dressed in close-toe and heel shoes, and natural material clothing, i.e. cotton or linen, and long pants. 

• Sparks fly in this studio, so we recommend wearing long sleeves and a shirt that covers your whole chest.

• No loose or dangling jewelry, long earrings or scarves.

• If you have long hair, please have it securely tied back from your face.

• We will provide safety goggles and other PPE, but if you have your own and would like to bring them, please do!

   

Class Policies & Information:

Open Lab: This class includes access to the studio during Open Lab hours. Open Lab is exclusively for students who are currently enrolled in the program. You are allowed to attend one Open Lab session per week, totaling 3 hours during the duration of your class. You may only attend the Open Lab session for the class in which you are registered. This time is intended for independent work on your class project. While studio staff will be present, they are there to ensure you are using the tools safely, not to provide instruction.

Class Make-Up: Our studios are full with adult and youth classes 7 days a week, 48 weeks a year. Typically, every class is full, which means there is simply no space for students to make up classes. If we cancel an entire class due to weather or other emergencies, we can not guarantee we will be able to schedule a make-up class. Individuals who miss a class will not be able to make it up. Please read the Frequently Asked Questions for more information about missed classes.

Studio Clean Up: Clean-up is critical! Please help our hardworking staff and volunteers by beginning clean-up 30 minutes before the end of class, helping out with common areas, and leaving class on time.

Ages: 16+ 

All supplies and materials will be provided. 

Will be available to register on Monday, July 28 at 8:00am.