Schools and organizations

A community showcasing the diverse work of queer metalsmiths.

Desert Metal Craft is dedicated to teaching the ancient art of blacksmithing together with the modern science behind the craft of metalworking. Develop your artisanal skills in a safe, collaborative learning environment in a fully equipped forge, supported by a team of experienced blacksmiths, metal workers, artists and metallurgists.

The Blacksmith Shop Museum is a Municipal and Provincial Historic Resource, built in 1902. As the oldest operating blacksmith shop in Alberta, it is located on its original site and much of the original machinery, including the forge, trip hammers and engine, are still in operating condition.
The Lacombe Blacksmith Shop Museum is open from Victoria Day Weekend to Labour Day Weekend annually to the public for live heritage demos and tours.

An organization founded by Tracey Carswell (they/them). They are "...a queer non-binary coach, curator, educator, speaker and artist with a focus on building connections through community and a strong commitment to promoting equity in the creative and entrepreneurial fields."

"Preserving and interpreting the Lone Star State’s storied history and diverse cultures during the Nineteenth century through an authentic living-history experience featuring engaging programs, signature activities and unique classes in the Texas Folk Arts School."

Folk art classes, including blacksmithing, history tours for schools and groups, and more!

Our mission is “To advance the art of furni­ture making by inspir­ing creativ­ity, promot­ing excel­lence, and foster­ing an under­stand­ing of this art and its place in society. Our vision is to culti­vate a diverse commu­nity and conver­sa­tion around furni­ture in all its forms.”

Personal classes for the serious student taught by Randy McDaniel, an experienced, professional Blacksmith.

Fusing imagination with a practice rooted in very tangible skills, we endeavor to fuel individual creativity with heart, mind, and hand. We believe deeply that human beings are inherently makers, and that the practice of making enhances our lives both as individuals and members of a larger community." This school is Located in Bigfork Montana, USA.

Sloss has offered workshops, exhibitions, and conferences on all aspects of metal working—forging, fabricating and casting—but focuses primarily on the use of cast iron as a sculpture medium.

"Artisans Asylum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community space for making... We foster the conditions for freedom of thought, collaboration, and agency necessary for anyone to build the things they’re passionate about...Artisans Asylum is open to makers, hobbyists, and creative individuals eager to pursue their passion and connect with like-minded individuals."

Museum run by Western Kentucky University

Tucked away in the mountains of western North Carolina, the John C. Campbell Folk School offers weeklong and weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance, cooking, gardening, nature studies, photography, writing, and more. Our non-competitive and small-sized classes are offered year-round on a scenic 270-acre campus, attracting students from all over the world. The Folk School is committed to providing everyone with a positive experience of learning and sharing in a safe environment.

Blacksmithing and welding classes taught by Marsha Sue Trattner (she/her).

Hardy & Fuller is a unique project that combines several goals to enrich and improve the artistic community in Denver, Colorado. First, to offer a safe space for those underrepresented in specialized metal trades, such as women and the LGBTQ+, disabled, and BIPOC communities. Second, to provide the community with access to a fully equipped shop that facilitates the development and creation of metal artworks. Last, but definitely not least, to build a nonprofit that will fund an artist in residency program, scholarship opportunities for disadvantaged youth, as well as any other way we can bring the confidence and strength of metal working to those that need it the most.

An educational organization started by former soldier, author, and peacemaker Diana Oestreich (she/her).

In the belief that art is vital to the human spirit, the Eureka Springs School of the Arts commits itself to cultivating, promoting, and encouraging artistic expression by providing art and fine craft education opportunities for students of all levels in a unique environment of beauty and creativity. Located in Eureka Springs Arkansas.

"The Floyd Center for the Arts' mission is to facilitate and showcase artistic endeavors and creativity and to provide education in the arts throughout our rural community and region."

The Blacksmiths Festival is a free biennial community event that started quietly in 2013 on the banks of the Maribyrnong River in Footscray, Australia. Since then, the event has grown to become one of the most celebrated events on the metal artist and local community calendars. Now run by a cohort of merry volunteers under the banner of the Blacksmiths Festival Association Inc., the festival attracts thousands of attendees who come to enjoy something very special in a location that many describe as the jewel of Footscray.

At Ms Caitlin's School, we want EVERYONE to have a chance to learn blacksmithing, regardless of whether they "look like a blacksmith". Ms Caitlin joined a group of 10 other professional female blacksmiths & metalworkers in Portland, OR in 2018 to found The Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths. Our mission is to support and promote the craft of blacksmithing, custom-made metalwork, and the blacksmithing community. And to support and promote diversity in the blacksmithing community.

This school is run by Leslie Tharp and is located in Gainesville Florida, USA. "Hands-on Workshops are a great way to dive into the world of blacksmithing and [Fe]ver offers a wide variety of opportunities for students to begin learning. No experience is required to participate unless noted in the class description. Enjoy small class sizes and learn step by step the techniques involved in completing the project of your choice."

"Our mission is to enrich lives and build community by teaching traditional northern crafts in a student-centered learning environment that inspires the hands, the heart and the mind." This school is located in Grand Marais Minnesota, USA

All are welcome at Guilford Art Center and encouraged to discover, explore, and nurture creativity. Take a class or workshop, visit a gallery show, shop for quality handcrafted items by American artists, and attend our special events throughout the year. We are here to help you find something that works for YOU.

We honor, protect and nurture the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual development of each student. We cultivate critical thinking as a path to self-reliance by developing authenticity in feeling, and intentionality of action.

Where food and community grow. Offering camps, classes, tours, eggs, natural meats, produce, and a full blacksmith’s forge.

"The mission of CMA is to maintain a high-quality educational forging program, providing the best equipped facility deeply rooted in the traditions and history of this craft, reaching and serving the broadest possible audience of artists, craftspeople and students in the U.S. and abroad. [We offer...] beginner through advanced forging workshops in our state-of-the-art facilities and provides specialized tools and equipment for each student. Our workshops vary in length of time from weekend, one-week, two-week, to six-week long workshops and we frequently run private lessons."

Step into the world of Eric Sloane, renowned Connecticut artist and author of 38 books. View his paintings, illustrations, and an extensive collection of early American hand tools, a tribute to American artisanship...Explore the museum’s scenic grounds near the Housatonic River, where you can also see the ruins of the Kent Iron Furnace and picturesque walking trails."

The Kentucky Forge Council is a community based blacksmith group, contact Charles Hurst (he/him) at Charles.hurst@wku.edu for more information.

Offering classes taught by SIBs committee member Anne Bujold (she/her).

Peters Valley School of Craft is located in Layton New Jersey, USA. They champion the unifying power of art, craft, and creativity; celebrate the diversity of our shared humanity; and condemn racism and violence in all forms.

The Western North Carolina Sculpture Center exists to inspire the appreciation and creation of sculpture in harmony with the landscape.

Blacksmith classes and demo space for artists and creators run by Iron John Logan (he/him).

The Urban Crafts Foundation is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company based at Lambourne End Centre for Outdoor Education in Essex. Our fully equipped blacksmiths forge is designed so that we can efficiently teach and carry out commissioned work.

"Whether you want to try your hand at this time honored craft, or you want to something more substantial, Five Raccoons Forge has you covered. We offer a variety of class options that can get you going in blacksmithing no matter if you have a few hours or a few weeks. Book your class today!"

The mission of the Metal Museum is to preserve, promote, and advance the art and craft of fine metalwork. The Metal Museum achieves its mission through four interrelated programming areas - rotating exhibitions of historic and contemporary metalwork; the Permanent Collection of objects, books, folios, and archives; the Metals Studios comprised of a Blacksmith Shop, Foundry, small metals lab, and design lab that provide educational opportunities for metalsmiths through artistic creation; and vibrant community education and engagement programming for learners of all ages.

"The purpose of the William F. Moran, Jr. Museum and Foundation is to educate, preserve and promote the ancient art and craft of hand forged knives and tools used in Bladesmithing, and establish a William F. Moran, Jr. Museum for the collection and presentation of hand forged knives and Blacksmith Metalwork and to preserve the Moran Forge as a working Bladesmith shop."

Shop and school run by the Knapp family. "The Knapp family prides themselves on creating hand crafted iron work that is functional and beautiful."

"...an accessible learning experience for underrepresented youth in the Twin Cities. We aim to provide a supportive and collaborative studio space that fosters confidence and the belief in one’s abilities and identities." This organization was started and is led by blacksmith Carla Hall (she/her).

The Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center (CAFAC) is a non-profit arts organization located in Minneapolis Minnesota, USA. They focus on art forms produced using heat, spark, or flame: blacksmithing, enameling, glass, jewelry making, metal casting, neon, sculptural welding, and more. The pillars of their programming are arts education, artist support, and public art, which together provide a platform for social impact and community-driven resources.

The American Craft Council fosters livelihoods and ways of living grounded in the artful work of the human hand, creating a more joyful, humane, and regenerative world.

Learn blacksmithing, welding, bladesmithing and patterned steel techniques to create beautiful objects for both form and function.

An organization dedicated to disarming guns and promoting non-violence. "Turning guns into garden tools is at the center of the work of RAW tools. It connects our programs and enables storytelling—stories of magnificent transformation as well as the deep trauma of grief and loss."

“We are an inclusive community committed to advancing the multifaceted field of metalsmithing, jewelry and adornment by inspiring creativity and furthering education and opportunities.”

A metalsmith training program for women and girls of African descent.

The Crucible is a nonprofit organization and art school dedicated to making the fine and industrial arts accessible for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Our work is centered in Oakland and the East Bay, where we provide high-quality, fun classes and workshops to thousands of people each year. With over nineteen different art departments, including welding, blacksmithing, glass flameworking, and more, this 56,000-square-foot space is waiting for you to come find your next creative adventure.

As part of celebrating and empowering Oakland, we also offer free programming, scholarships, and paid leadership opportunities for youth and adults who live locally and otherwise could not participate.

"Our mission is to enrich lives and build community through joyful, hands-on learning with master artisans.
[We offer] year-round classes, workshops, resources, events, and artist residencies with a focus on ceramics, music, woodworking, blacksmithing, fiber arts, and folk & traditional arts." Blacksmithing classes are taught by Kelly Rigg (he/him) of Studio 23 Metalworks LLC.

An online blacksmithing group. Code of Conduct was signed by Stuart Geisler (he/him) who can be contacted at stuarttheblacksmith@yahoo.com.

CERF+ was started by artists for artists in the craft community as a grassroots mutual aid effort in 1985 and has since emerged as the leading nonprofit organization that uniquely focuses on safeguarding artists’ livelihoods nationwide. CERF+ serves artists who work in craft disciplines by providing a safety net to support strong and sustainable careers.

The Penland iron program offers beginning to advanced workshops in traditional and contemporary blacksmithing, metalworking, and sculpture. The studio provides space and specialty equipment for the exploration of concept and technique in ferrous and nonferrous metals.

The Steel Yard is a non-profit industrial art center and shared studio located in Providence Rhode Island. We’re an arts maker space and non-traditional craft school offering courses in blacksmithing, welding, jewelry, foundry, and ceramics. Depending on the program a student is enrolled in they may pay a subsidized fee, receive a scholarship or get paid to develop new skills.

ShopSpace is a comprehensive metal shop that focuses on forging, fabrication, knife making and jewelry. We offer a variety of classes at all skill levels, along with access to the shop and equipment.

Our mission is to foster a creative, inclusive art‐making community, providing access to quality education and professionally equipped studios for everyone. We promote the joy and transformative power of art and actively support the development of visual artists.

The BA in Art with a 3D4M (3-Dimensional Forum) concentration focuses on the study of Ceramics, Glass, and Sculpture. The mission of this program is to explore interdisciplinary exchanges that revolve around material study, concept, and critical dialogue in a studio-based environment.

"Adam’s Forge is breathing life into an ancient craft. The preservation of this universal craft continues to unite people at Adam’s Forge, which maintains a safe and supportive workspace in Simi Valley for people of diverse cultures, races, and religions, regardless of their age-level, gender identities, sexual preferences, economic or social backgrounds, formal or informal schooling.

“A volunteer run nonprofit blacksmithing club that teaches forging skills and advocates for artisan ironwork.”

"We are a 501c3 Educational Non-Profit Organization. Our space is a communal workshop for our members to share tools and work on projects. It is also a place to learn new skills, either in one of our classes or from the many experts that make up our membership. Most importantly, we are a welcoming and creative place for all makers in the St. Louis area."

Blacksmithing classes by Mark Teece (he/him) "I teach small classes where you will get individual attention and be able to forge your own items. From simple hooks to complicated multi-piece forgings, I am happy to help you get to your dream projects. My introductory courses are three hours long and it’s all about having a good time and making something to take home and show your family and friends."

“Classes at Iron Rhino Forge are offered by experienced blacksmiths that provide an opportunity to learn the art of blacksmithing in a hands-on environment. You can learn how to create amazing metal art, jewelry, tools, and more using a variety of blacksmithing tools and techniques.”

"Crafting the Future works to increase access to creative enrichment by connecting BIPOC artists with opportunities that will help them thrive. We are partnering with Youth Arts Organizations across the country to provide their students with scholarships to renowned Craft schools and pre-college programs. Not only are we creating pathways into the field for BIPOC artists, but we offer continued support once these artists have arrived. This means connecting people with professional opportunities like internships and commissions that will help establish their networks and plant roots in the community."

The Vancouver Hack Space (VHS) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit workshop where members share tools, equipment, space, knowledge, and good times. Located in Vancouver British Columbia, Canada

A blacksmithing school run by Dale Morse (he/him).