Course Description

In the forge you will be shown how to draw down, upset, bend, twist, hot cut, punch, and weld hot metal by using both hand tools and the power hammer as you create a finished metal design. You will be encouraged to develop your own project ideas and should expect to design and produce a significant piece of work. Discussion of the characteristic forms and qualities achievable in steel through the use of these techniques will help inform your design, and you will look at the work of other blacksmiths and the origins of design ideas and the stages in the design process.

All abilities, including complete beginners, are welcome and physical strength is certainly not a priority. More important than this will be a commitment to your project, and curiosity about technique and process. The focus of the course is not just about mastering blacksmithing techniques, but also about how to respond in a creative way to both a design challenge and the material properties of steel, its potential and limitations.

Several evening events are planned throughout the week, a detailed timetable for your Summer School week will be given to you on arrival. Dinner is included for non-resident students throughout the week to enable participation in these events.

A feature of the Summer School is an immersive learning experience with more time to develop your creativity and embrace further opportunities for creative development beyond your chosen course.

Several early evening creative sessions (5.10pm - 7pm) are planned throughout the week. Extra activities will differ this year in response to social distancing. A detailed timetable for your Summer School week will be given to you on arrival. This will include:

• Short inspirational talks by tutors and displays of their work

• Sign up early evening tutor-led drawing sessions in the garden

• Time to relax or explore in the tranquil West Dean Gardens

• Take a break from your course with some free time on Tuesday afternoon, from 3.30-5pm

• Informal end-of-course group reviews and displays of students' work in studios.

Timetable

Timetable for Summer Schools

Several evening events are planned throughout the week, a detailed timetable for the summer schools will be given to you on arrival.

Arrival Day

Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students should vacate their rooms by 10am please.

Course Materials

Included

• Metal and fuel – please note that this covers basic materials and if you use large amounts of metal you will be charged extra.
• Protective Clothing supplied:
• Leather aprons, work gloves, safety spectacles and ear defenders are provided in the Forge.
• You may wish to bring any of the above, if you have them. If for example you have particularly large or small hands, your own work gloves are likely to be a better fit.

What students need to bring

• Sketchbook, pens
• Images of ideas that might inspire your design e.g. the design work of others you admire, natural forms that inspire you, a potential location for your piece of work.
• You will need protective clothing suitable for workshop use, together with steel toe capped boots. Please note that cotton or wool clothing is preferable to nylon or other synthetics. A pair of cotton jeans is far more protective than a pair of nylon trousers.
• For your safety it is mandatory to wear steel toe capped safety boots when undertaking a course in the Forge. Students must provide their own footwear and bring them with them to wear on the course. If you fail to bring suitable footwear, you will not be able to take part in the course.
• Safety boots can be purchased from most tool hire shops and builders merchants as well as online.
• Gloves are provided but if you have particularly large or small hands, your own work gloves are likely to be a better fit.

Available to buy

• Available from shop:
• Sketchbooks, pens.

Please note: This course is held in the Forge which is 10 minutes walk from the main house through the walled garden, or can be accessed by car. We have morning coffee and afternoon tea at the Old Dairy but return to the main house for lunch. Tutor supervision is required at all times when students work in the Forge. The tutor’s instruction on health and safety will include access to and use of the power hammer.