Staff Instructor: Darryl Nelson
Darryl Nelson is the owner of the Meridian Forge in Eatonville, Washington. Darryl has over 30 years of blacksmithing experience. He is a member of the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America (ABANA) and has been a demonstrator for over 20 years. He is a founding member and former president of NWBA, Northwest Blacksmiths Association.
Darryl can be commissioned for architectural or art pieces. The blacksmith shop usually has many hand forged pieces for sale. Darryl’s work may also be seen at the Mountain Gallery located in The Mount Hood Cultural Center & Museum.
Guest Instructor : Joe Elliott
Master Blacksmith Joe Elliot is the owner of Dry Canyon Forge, in Bend, OR, and has been forging metal for over 30 years. With much of his ironwork, the forging processes are apparent. For instance, all work is hand-forged iron; featuring traditional joinery techniques such as collaring, tenons and riveting that are a celebrated part of each design. With hand-forging, the artist is able to add a personal touch, which means that each piece will be a unique rare work of art that will be used and enjoyed forever.
Guest Instructor : Fredric Crist
I am a full time artist working in mutiple disciplines; sculpture, photography and blacksmithing. Each discipline enriches the other and allows me unending ideas and directions of the work. I graduated from Philadelphia College in 1977 and have been producing and exhibiting objects ever since. My work can be found in private and corporate collections throughout the US & Canada. More information can be found on my website.
Guest Instructor : Lisa Geertsen
Lisa Geertsen has been a blacksmithing instructor at Pratt Fine Arts Center since 2007. In addition to teaching, she is the Metal and Stone Sculpture Studio Manager for Pratt as well as owner of Firelight Forge where she is an artist blacksmith/fabricator in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle, WA. She has been working professionally with metal since 1999 and her commission work ranges from architectural fabrication to site-specific sculptures.
Guest Instructor : David Lisch
Dave Lisch has been blacksmithing for over 20 years and has become a well know figure in the NW blacksmithing and bladesmithing communities. He is self employed and has a passion for making knives and damascus as well as teaching. In 2015 he became an ABS Mater Bladesmith and has won numerous awards and recognitions for his hand forged knives. Dave and his talented wife Andrea (also a blacksmith and bladesmith) live in Yelm, Washington.
Guest Instructor: Mark Aspery
Mark Aspery has been forging professionally for over 30 years and has become one of the most well known teachers of the craft. Often focusing on the tools that need to be made to make the project, his classes go beyond a simple how-to. He has published multiple books and videos that are filled with suitable projects for smiths of all skill levels. For more info about Mark Aspery or to order his books check out markaspery.com
Guest Instructor: Jeff Holtby
Jeff Holtby of Arcane Metal Arts is a blacksmith who produces custom architectural ironwork. He smiths gates, fences, railings, interior furnishings (lately specializing in hobbit dwellings), fireplace screens and tools, and latches and locks. He uses traditional forging methods to work in a variety of styles. Jeff worked metal for 20 years before becoming a blacksmith for the past two decades. He has studied with master blacksmiths in both the southwest and the northwest United States, is somewhat self-taught, and has learned endless amounts by participation in the NWBA
Guest Instructor: Christoph Friedrich
Christoph Friedrich is one of the most recognizable and accomplished Master Blacksmiths in the modern era. He currently lives in Switzerland where he owns and operates a historic, water powered blacksmith shop. Having worked with metal for over 45 years, he has become a sought after designer and instructor. Well known for his ‘split cross’ he has made his mark in the world of contemporary design and sculpture.