Forging on the River
March 25 - 27, 2011
Hosted by the River Bluff Forge Council
On the Grounds of the Metal Museum, Memphis, TN
Friday, March 25, 2011
Noon - 5pm Conference Registration
Free museum admission for conference attendees
5:00 - 6:30 pm Meet and greet, refreshments/dinner
6:30 - 9:00 pm Lecture, slideshow, and discussion
Saturday, March 26, 2011
8:00 - 10:00 am Conference Registration
Free museum admission for conference attendees
8:00 - 9:00 am Continental Breakfast
9:00 am - Noon Demonstration by Brian Russell, U.K.
Noon - 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 - 4:00 pm Demonstration by Brian Russell
4:00 - 6:00 pm Happy Hours
Charm Swap
6:00 - 8:00 pm Auction and Dinner - Events open to attendees as well as the public free of charge
Sunday, March 27, 2011
9:00 - 10 am Coffee and donuts
9:00 am - 4:00 pm Workshop led by Brian Russell (additional cost, limited to ten people)
10:00 am - 5pm Museum exhibits open for your enjoyment
10:00 am - 4:00 pm Forging Friendships - Making of a chain. Bring your
touchmark to mark your link!
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Scratch blocks and Iron Pour
Registration Fees
Before March 1, 2011 - $100
After February 28, 2011 - $135
Student Registration (must present Student ID) - $80
Sunday Workshop (limited to ten people) - $160
Vendor Registration (includes full conference registration) - $150
Conference Attendees are encouraged to bring a "charm" to swap with fellow metalsmiths. Charms should be able to thread on a necklace or keychain, measure no more than 2" x 3" and weigh no more than a few ounces. Charms must be of your own design and creation.
Forging on the River 2011 Attendee Registration Form
The River Bluff Forge Council (RBFC) is hosting the 2011 Forging on the River Blacksmithing Conference at the Metal Museum March 25 - 27. The three day conference features a presentation and demonstrations by world renowned British Artist Blacksmith Brian Russell. Russell will demonstrate many blacksmithing techniques used to create a garden gate. The finished gate will be the highlight of Saturday night's auction. A limited enrollment, hands-on workshop (addtl fee) with Russell and numerous other interactive activities will round out the weekend. In addition to the chance to learn from a Master Blacksmith, the Forging on the River Conference provides metalsmiths and enthusiasts with many opportunities to network with others who share their passion for the craft, exchange work and ideas, work collaboratively on projects, as well as enjoy the Metal Museum exhibitions and grounds.
Internationally recognized for his work in metal, Russell established his business over thirty years ago at the 200-year-old Little Newsham Forge in the heart of Durham countryside. The work created at Little Newsham Forge ranges from bespoke gates, railings and sculptures and uniquely designed artworks. Russell, an associate of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, has been a demonstrator at numerous conferences around the globe and has been honored with many prestigious awards. He has created notable commissions as well as contributed to numerous exhibitions and conferences for over thirty years.
In addition to a slide presentation and demonstrations by Russell, RBFC and the Metal Museum have planned a weekend full of hands-on activities, including the creation of a "Friendship Chain" with conference attendees working together to create links which will form a chain to reside on the Metal Museum grounds for years to come. Saturday evening features an auction and dinner open to the general public. The auction will spotlight Russell's freshly made garden gate as well as fine works of art from recognized metalsmiths around the nation (some of them will be in attendance!). Conference attendees may opt to pay an additional fee and participate in Russell's hands on workshop in which each student will create a fabulous forged bracket that features many of Russell's signature techniques. Visitors and Attendees alike will enjoy monitoring Russell's workshop as well as participating in the chain making project. Sunday will also feature an awe - inspiring iron pour outside of the museum's Lawler Foundry. All Conference attendees are urged to bring a small forged charm from their studio to exchange in the Museum's first ever charm swap. A complete schedule is attached.
Conference registration features a deep discount for students at $80.00 for the three days. Non-Student Registration is $100 before March 1, 2011; $135 after March 2, 2011. The Sunday workshop with Russell is $160 and is limited to 10 participants. Conference registration includes dinner on Friday, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. The Doubletree Hotel in downtown Memphis has a special conference rate of $99.
The River Bluff Forge Council is a chapter of the Artist Blacksmiths' Association of North America, a national membership organization that provides educational and networking opportunities for professional and amateur blacksmiths. RBFC meets regularly to forge friendships, tour studios and fabrication facilities, host workshops, volunteer at the Metal Museum, demonstrate blacksmithing at festivals and schools, and organize group exhibitions for its members.
Founded in 1976, the National Ornamental Metal Museum is the only Museum in the Americas dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the art and craft of fine metalwork. The Metal Museum is funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission and ArtsMemphis. Located at 374 Metal Museum Drive, the Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday, noon - 5 pm.
For more information:
Call: 901-774-6380
Visit: Metal Museum Website
