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CanIRON VII - FErgus


Last Revision - July 12, 2011

NOTE ADDITION OF NEW DEMONSTRATIONS AND A WORKSHOP


Conference Schedule

Feature Demonstration
Feature Lecture
Hands on Workshop
Public Outreach
Secondary Demonstration
Secondary Lecture / Panel
Other Activities
Logistics
Time
Area
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
July 28
July 29
July 30
July 31
August 1
MORNING
9 - 12
Packing Down
Gallery
Work Accepted
Members Only
Members Only
Members Only
Public Demo
Iron Smelt
OABA Project
OABA Project
'Historic Forge'
Demo A
Paul Allen
Scrollwork for Acanthus Leaf
David Robertson
Beyond Basics
Sandra Dunn
Assembling - Chair
 
Demo B
Jesus Hernandez
Bloom to Bar
Kelly Smyth
'Chains Over Time'
Jake Powning
Bronze Casting
Hands On
Mike McCarthy
Basic Toolmaking
Brian Russell
Gate Elements
Brian Russell
Assembling Gate
(9 - 10:30)
Conference

Panel :
Business of Blacksmithing

Workshop :
Design Tricks
Darrell Markewitz
Contributed video
(10:30 - 12)
Conference
Smithing Science
Kevin Peffers
Panel:
How to CanIRON
Workshop :
Working the Web
David Robertson
LUNCH
(12 - 1:30 )
Meal Plan
Meal Plan
Meal Plan
Site Closes
12:30 - 1:30
Gallery
Using the INTENET
Neil Peterson
Mike McCarthy
19th C Blacksmiths
currently open
 
12:45 - 1:30
Cafeteria
Sandra Dunn
Design from History
Jesus Hernandez
Japanese Bladesmithing
currently open
 
AFTERNOON
1:30 - 4:30
Programming Starts
Official Closing
Gallery
Work Accepted
Public Access
'Meet the Artist'
Public Access
'Meet the Artist'
Remove Work
 
Public Demo
Iron Smelt
OABA Project
OABA Project
 
Demo A
Paul Allen
Forging a Flower

Brian Russell
Gate Elements

Sandra Dunn
Joinery Elements

 
Demo B
Mark Puigmarti
Sculpting Mass 1
Mark Puigmarti
Sculpting Mass 2
Jake Powning
Pattern Welding
 
 
Hands On

Jake Powning
Basic Bladesmithing

Kelly Smyth
Making Tongs
Paul Allen
Making Acanthus Leaf
Forging Competition (public)
 
(1:30 - 3 )
Conference

Panel :
Canadian Artist Blacksmiths ??

Panel :
'Women of Steel'
 
(3 - 4:30 )
Conference
currently open
Contributed Video
Contributed video
 
DINNER
( 5 - 6:30 )
Opening BBQ
Meal Plan
Thank You's
Meal Plan
Equipment
Pack-Up
 
EVENING
7 - 8
Cafeteria
Meet Demonstrators
Brian Russell
Portfolio
Auction (public) 6:30 - 9
 
7 - 8
Gallery
(possibly open)
 
8 - 9
Cafeteria
Paul Allen
Portfolio
Jake Powning
Design from the Ancients
Auction (continues)
 
8 - 9
Gallery
Mark Puigmarti
Portfolio
Kelly Smyth
Nautical Blacksmithing
 
(6:30 - 9:30)
Demo A
8 - 9:30
Mike McCarthy
Sculpted Head
Mike McCarthy
Pipe Tomahawk
 
 
 
(6:30 - 9:30)
Demo B
8 - 9:30
Dave Kritz
Copper Leaves
Jesus Hernandez
Japanese Bladesmithing
     
 
( 6 - 10)
Hands On
Open Forge
Open Forge
Open Forge
   

Details of Specific Sessions:

FEATURE DEMONSTRATIONS - There will be two main areas equipped for your featured demonstrators. Details below by individual demonstrator :

Paul Allen
 
Thursday
1:30 - 4:30
Demo A
'Forging a Flower'
A "three dimensional flower with fire welded stem and leaves made using pure forge work techniquesî.
Friday
9 - 12
Demo A
'Scrolls for Acanthus Leaves'
Illustrating making the scrollwork for mounting an acanthus leaf. (This will be a preamble to his workshop session.)
Sandra Dunn
 
Saturday
1:30 - 4:30
Demo A
'Joinery Elements'
Forging basic elements for a chair combining wood and steel.
Sunday
9 - 12
Demo A
'Assemble a Chair'
Completion of the chair project, assembling the individual elements.
Jesus Hernandez
 
Friday
9 - 12
Demo B
'Bloom to Blade'
Illustrating the process of converting a raw iron bloom into a working bar, prepatory to forging a blade. This all done utilizing tools and methods from the Japanese working traditions.
Friday
6:30 - 9:30
Demo B
'Japanese Bladesmithing'
Completing the bar to blade process, including showing the process of clay coating and quenching.
Mike McCarthy
 
Thursday
8 - 9:30
Demo A
Sculpted Head
A shorter demonstration of how to use punching and shaping to produce a specific sculpted face / head terminal, which then can be applied to a wide range of objects.
Friday
6:30 - 9:30
Demo A
'Pipe Tomahawk'
Forging a late 1700's style pipe tomahawk.
Jake Powning
 
Saturday
1:30 - 4:30
Demo B
'Pattern Welding'
Illustrating some of the steps that go into the creation of a composite pattern welded sword billet.
Sunday
9 - 12
Demo B
'Bronze Casting'
Showing the process making bronze decorative fittings, from carving the wax to gravity poured casting & finishing.
Mark Puigmarti
 
Thursday
1:30 - 4:30
Demo B
'Sculpting Mass 1'
The demonstration will focus on hand forging larger stock using simple tools. While creating components for a free form sculptural piece he will explore the possibilities of design, and describe his approach to working.
Friday
1:30 - 4:30
Demo B
'Sculpting Mass 2'
Expanding and continuing working processes with larger stock and hand tools.
David Robertson
 
Saturday
9 - 12
Demo A
to be determined
 
Brian Russell
 
Friday
9 - 12
Demo A
'Gate Elements'
Brian will undertake the making of a simple gate for CanIRON VIII. This demonstration session will be followed up by two hands on workshops.
Kelly Smyth
 
Saturday
9 - 12
Demo B
'Chains over Time'
Showing her distinctive "Chains Over Time" motif. " This is an example of how using a traditional technique found in heavy ships' hardware that with a slight turn becomes delightful & useful where only the practical existed.

SECONDARY DEMONSTRATIONS - Extras to pack full your time! Details by individual demonstrator
Dark Ages Recreation Company        
Thursday
9 - 5
Public Demo
Iron Smelt
Ongoing all day Thursday as you arrive, DARC will demonstrate the easy to build 'Econo-Norse' iron smelting furnace. Expect the bloom to be extracted about 5 pm!
Dave Kritz
 
Thursday
8 - 9:30
Demo B
Copper Leaves
A shorter demonstration showing a simple method to work with copper tubing, cold, to create decorative leaves.
OABA - Dave McCord
 
Friday & Saturday
9 - 5
Public Demo
Bench Project
Watch as members of Ontario Artist Blacksmith Association work on elements for the second Fergus Park Bench.
David Robertson
 
Saturday
9 - 12
Demo A
Beyond Basics
Now that you have basic level skills at the forge, what comes next? A look at some interesting techniques to expand your possibilities, including a peek at working with pipe and structural shapes.
Robert Wagner
 
Sunday
9 - 12
Public Demo
HIstoric Forge
See a modern interpretation of a War of 1812 version charcoal fired forge in operation.

HANDS ON WORKSHOPS - This separate area has one 'masters' forge plus six additional forge work stations.

1)Three hour long sessions run Thursday afternoon, plus both morning & afternoon of Friday / Saturday, plus Sunday morning.
2) Those interested should already have basic level forge skills as a minimum. Although some basic level tools are available, those wishing to participate are strongly suggested to bring their own personal hand tools. Forge suitable clothing and safety glasses are a requirement.
3) Participants will be chosen by lottery before each session. Names will be drawn from those submitted, to occur after the evening meal, the night before a particular session. Those names will also be posted on the central notice board.

Of course others will be free to observe these sessions from outside the rope line.

Paul Allen Saturday 1:30 - 4:30 Forging an Acanthus Leaf 6 students, basic level, a materials fee may apply
Mike McCarthy Friday 9 - 12 Laminating for Tool Making 6 students, intermediate level (forge welding experience not required)
Jake Powning Thursday 1:30 - 4:30 Basic Bladesmithing 6 students, intermediate level
Brian Russell Saturday 9 - 12 Gate Elements 1 6 students, intermediate level (different class than Gate 2)
  Sunday 9 - 12 Gate Elements 2 / Assemble 6 students, intermediate level (different class than Gate 1)
Kelly Smyth Friday 1:30 - 4:30 Forging Tongs 6 students, basic level

In the evenings (Thurs/Fri/Sat) The SIX work stations will be available for pick up work, inspiration, or just plain messing around. There will be teaching supervision provided in the evenings from 7 - 9 pm only.

FEATURE LECTURES - Sessions by our feature demonstrators, offered in either the Cafeteria or the Gallery presentation spaces.

All
Thursday
Cafeteria
7 - 8
'Meet the Demonstrators' / Panel
Paul Allen
Thursday
Cafeteria
8 - 9
Portfolio
Sandra Dunn
Friday
Cafeteria
12:45 - 1:30
'Designing from History' / the chair project
Jesus Hernandez
Saturday
Cafeteria
12:45 - 1:30
'Japanese Bladesmithing'
Mike McCarthy
Saturday
Gallery
12:45 - 1:30
'19th Century Blacksmiths'
Jake Powning
Friday
Cafeteria
8 - 9
'Design from the Ancients'
Mark Puigmarti
Thursday
Gallery
8 - 9
Portfolio
Brian Russell
Friday
Cafeteria
7 - 8
Portfolio
Kelly Smyth
Friday
Gallery
8 - 9
Nautical Blacksmithing

SECONDARY PROGRAMING - Sessions of general interest, offered by both blacksmiths and those outside our regular community.

Note - at this time there are still some empty slots still to be filled!

'Canadian Artist Blacksmiths ?' Panel
Thursday
Conference
3 - 4:30
An open session to discuss the possible development of a Canadian National organization.
'Business of Blacksmithing; Panel
Friday
Conference
9 - 10:30
An open session to network and discuss working at Blacksmithing (as a living?). Come share tips and problems.
'Smithing Science'
Kevin Peffers
Friday
Conference
10:30 - 12
An overview of how basic physics and material sciences applies to the practical shaping of metals in the forge.
'Using the Internet' Neil Peterson
Friday
Gallery
12:45 - 1:30
A beginner's introduction to the internet, e-mail and web sites, for fun and profit (?)
'How to CanIRON' Panel
Saturday
Conference
10:30 - 12
A bull session with current and past CanIRON organizers, discussing what works - and what doesn't.
'Design Tricks'
Darrell Markewitz
Saturday
Conference
9 - 10:30
Can't draw? There are tricks you can use to develop your ideas and get them down on to paper. A practical working session.
"Women of Steel' Panel
Saturday
Conference
1:30 - 3
Women often face different problems when it comes to male dominated blacksmithing - an open bull session hosted by Kelly Smyth.
"Working the Internet' David Robertson
Sunday
Conference
10:30 - 12
How can you use the internet to promote your work as a blacksmith? A general discussion and working session to look at what works - and what doesn't.

FORGING COMPETITION - Love it or hate it, forging competitions done on the spot between teams of participants are always a big part of any gathering of Blacksmiths! Our hope is to allow the general public to be able to observe the goings on 'from behind the ropes'. This event will take place in the Hands On area on Sunday afternoon.

AUCTION - In keeping with our mission to inform and involve the public in selected aspects of CANIRON, we are hoping to open up participation in the fund raising auction to those with fatter wallets! The Auction is scheduled for Saturday evening.

GALLERY - The best way to inform the public to what we REALLY do is to allow them access to the Gallery. Bring your best and most inspiring work, make sure you include a stack of business cards. The layout of the site at the Fergus Sportsplex is ideal in terms of both layout and large size. Security and close supervision will be provided for all the work. Remember members of the general public can view the Gallery (free admission) from 1:30 - 4:30 each day. Sign up for a 'Meet the Artist' session.

VENDOR'S AREA - Browse and Buy at our commercial sales area. Companies with products and services of interest to the blacksmithing community will be displaying in a separate area, also open (free) to the general public. Hours are : Thursday 12 - 5 / Friday & Saturday 9 - 5 / Sunday 9 - 12.

TAIL GATE SALES - What would a gathering of Blacksmith's be without a chance for us to sell and swap stuff that was gathering dust in the corners of our shops? This area is limited to conference members only, available any time after 12 noon Thursday, from 9 AM Friday / Saturday / Sunday (till noon only).

OPENING BBQ SOCIAL - All registered participants are invited to join in for an informal BBQ on a Bun dinner on Thursday - hosted by OABA. (Included with your paid registration.) Come meet the other conference members!

PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS - A special area is being set aside, accessible to the general public, to illustrate just what Blacksmithing is all about:
Thursday - A demonstration of a bloomery iron smelting furnace by members of the Dark Ages Re-creation Company.
Friday & Saturday - Work on creation of a larger artwork project, undertaken by OABA members under the direction of Dave McCord.
Sunday - 'HIstoric Forge' - Robert Wagner demonstrates his 1812 'Gun Carriage' style portable charcoal forge.



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