Touchstone to host blacksmithing event
Anyone who enjoys watching a blacksmith at work will want to head to Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington this weekend for the celebrated crafts school’s first Hammer In. “There will be four people demonstrating the art of blacksmithing and someone will be working the forge at all times,’ said Jim Campbell, a Touchstone board member and volunteer manager of the blacksmith studio.
The Hammer In takes place Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the four blacksmiths working at the state-of-the-art Hart Moore Blacksmith Studio at Touchstone, located at 1049 Wharton Furnace Road. A $25 registration fee entitles visitors to attend both days.
The four blacksmiths include Richard Shepard of Bruceton Mills, W.Va., whom Campbell called “One of the finest blacksmiths in the country.’
Campbell noted that Shepard designed and built all the forges at Touchstone. He also designed and built a treadle hammer, which is a foot-operated hammer.
“It’s a fantastic piece of equipment,’ said Campbell, noting that Shepard will be demonstrating the treadle hammer at the Hammer In.
Glenn Horr of Berkley Springs, W.Wa., will use hand-held air tools to make decorative animal heads.
“He’s a regular instructor at Touchstone,’ said Campbell. “He learned his trade here. He was in the first class in 1977. I was also in the class.’
Jymm Hoffman of Aliquippa will demonstrate the power hammer and create 18th century hardware.
And Ray Rybar will produce Damascus steel and make it into a letter opener.
“That’s the type in a Japanese Samurai sword,’ said Campbell.
Campbell noted that everything the instructors make will be auctioned off at the end of the program.
Touchstone blacksmiths will also display their pieces the gallery. In addition, there will be tailgating: people who come with blacksmithing equipment to sell, such as hammers, tongs, power hammers, vises, anvils and forges.
“The response is very good. We have quite a few people signed up already and we’re expecting more,’ said Campbell, who noted the Hammer In will become an annual event.
Touchstone is celebrating its 30 anniversary this year. According to a brochure for the Hammer Inn, the three-season crafts school was founded in 1972 with a mission to foster and preserve traditional mountain crafts.
The center has since evolved to include a “full cross-section of contemporary, experimental and state-of-the-art techniques in addition to traditional and historic methods,’ the brochure noted.
Classes, which are offered from beginner to advanced level, include ceramics, jewelry/metals, weaving, glass, painting, mixed media, photography, printmaking, sculpture, basketry, book arts and creative writing.
Campbell noted the blacksmithing classes are “growing every year.’
He commented, “When Touchstone started, we had four forges that were made from the rim of an automobile and air was supplied from a vacuum cleaner. We still have one of those forges up there. Today, we have the finest studio in the country. There’s noting compared to it. It was produced with help from the Eberly Foundation. They’ve been very helpful to Touchstone over the years.’
Campbell said that people who come to watch this weekend’s Hammer In will “have a chance to see how blacksmithing’s done. We don’t do horse shoes. This is ornamental and sculpture.’
For more information on Touchstone and the Hammer Inn, call 1-800-721-0177 or check out the Web site at www.touchstonecrafts.com
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