The Shiawassee Arts Center will be offering the Beginning Fundamentals of Blacksmithing – with Arthur Johns, at his studio and shop. The class will be on Tuesdays, May 3 through May 31, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Four students will be allowed per session. This five week course will offer a comprehensive, hands on, overview of the art of Blacksmithing. Students will be introduced to basic forging and metal working techniques. These will include stock manipulation (both bar stock and sheet metal forming), basic tool making, traditional joinery and finishing techniques.
Students will be making some of their own tools, functional objects and designing/building their own individual projects and are required to furnish for themselves proper safety gear (safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves and appropriate footwear).
Johns is an artist/blacksmith with a Master of Fine Arts degree and primarily works in forged iron or steel. Cost is $220 for a SAC Member or $235 for a non-member. An individual, annual membership is $30 or $25 for a senior membership. The Shiawassee Arts Center is located at 206 Curwood Castle Dr., in Owosso. The Arts Center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Preregistration and payment is required on any class by calling the Arts Center at (989) 723-8354.
