List of Blacksmithing Classes in West Virginia
West Virginia is a state known for its mountainous landscapes, coal industry, and tourism.
The state’s industrial spirit stems from the traditional handicrafts that were vital to early settlers in the Appalachian mountain region.
Blacksmithing is one craft that helped support small settlements and towns in West Virginia’s early history. Even after the rise of industry in the state, blacksmithing, bladesmithing, and related crafts continued to enjoy popularity.
Today, blacksmiths and bladesmiths living and working in West Virginia aim to pass on their knowledge to others through classes, workshops, and even college degrees.
Whether you want to start blacksmithing as a hobby or a career, there is a class for you in West Virginia. Seasoned smiths can also learn new skills with many of the opportunities listed below.
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- Durable Construction: Made from heavy-duty steel and insulated with fire-resistant materials...
- Large Forging Space: Spacious work area accommodates larger projects, allowing blacksmiths to work...
1) Expressive Metals School of Blacksmithing
- Type: Blacksmithing
- Classes: small group, weekends, weekdays
- Price: $132
- Website: https://blacksmithschoolwv.com/
- Telephone: N/A
- Location: 1044 Spielman Rd. Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
Expressive Metals School of Blacksmithing is one of the top places to learn blacksmithing in West Virginia. The School is owned and operated by Randy McDaniel. He has over 50 years of blacksmithing experience and has taught for over 40 years.
McDaniel has traveled extensively to advance his skills. In the 1980s, McDaniel studied in London and became a mastersmith in Germany. In 2016, McDaniel traveled abroad again to learn ironwork techniques, which he now specializes in.
Expressive Metals classes take place on weekdays and weekends. Classes are organized into levels 1-4, with level 1 geared towards those with no experience, and level 4 dedicated to teaching advanced techniques.
Current class topics include beginner blacksmithing, tool making, and heat treating. Project options include animal heads, knives, and bottle openers.
Regardless of your experience level and interests, Expressive Metals School of Blacksmithing is the place to study blacksmithing this year.
2) Highland Forge
- Type: Blacksmithing
- Classes: shop tours
- Price: Contact for pricing information
- Website: https://glennsforge.com/
- Telephone: (304) 258-4058
- Location: 2994 Highland Ridge Rd. Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
Highland Forge is owned by Glenn Horr. He has been smithing since 1977 and is mostly self-taught. Horr’s speciality is hardware for homes and ornamental ironwork.
Those interested in his work and creative process can learn from him by visiting his studio. This is a great way to see how a professional organizes his workspace and ask questions about the craft.
Horr also teaches classes at Touchstone Center for Crafts in Pennsylvania every summer.
3) Cedar Lakes Conference Center
- Type: Blacksmithing
- Classes: small group, week long, weekends, full day
- Price: $143-$563
- Website: http://www.cedarlakes.com/craft-workshops/
- Telephone: (304) 372-7860
- Location: 82 FFA Dr. Ripley, WV 25271
Cedar Lakes Conference Center is a retreat center managed by the Department of Agriculture. The Center is a top educational institution serving West Virginia’s residents and offers a range of services for the community.
Visitors can make use of the Cedar Lakes cabins, conference areas, and craft workshops. The first craft workshop took place in 1959 and Cedar Lakes has been offering workshops every year since. Week-long and weekend classes are available and the specific rates can be found on Cedar Lakes’s website.
Blacksmithing workshops at Cedar Lakes are taught by Michael Young and are appropriate for beginner through advanced smiths. Beginners learn to create tapers, curls, hooks, and dinner bells. Intermediate students add to their skillset and create hot punches and chisels from coil springs.
Advanced workshops introduce students to sculptural blacksmithing concepts. Learn to make forged flowers and other organic shapes in these upper-level offerings.
4) Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation
- Type: Blacksmithing
- Classes: small group, weekend, full day
- Price: $285-$315
- Website: https://www.prickettsfort.org/
- Telephone: (304) 363-3030
- Location: 88 State Park Rd. Fairmont, WV 26554
Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation is a non profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of Pricketts Fort. The foundation is in charge of the Fort’s maintenance and the educational programs that take place there.
Pricketts Fort was originally built in 1774 and was rebuilt in 1976. The reproduction fort serves as the backdrop for living history events and programs. Visitors can see 18th century blacksmithing firsthand at the Bray blacksmith shop located within the fort.
Those interested in learning blacksmithing for themselves can sign up for classes in the historic Bray workshop. Classes cover basic smithing techniques and forge welding.
Consider Pricketts Fort if you are brand new to blacksmithing and want to learn the craft in a historically significant setting.
5) Appalachian Blacksmiths Association
- Type: Blacksmithing, Bladesmithing
- Classes: small group, meetings, demonstrations, conferences
- Price: $15 annual fee for individuals, $20 annual fee for families
- Website: https://abablacksmiths.org/
- Telephone: (304) 276-9077
- Location: Multiple locations across West Virginia & neighboring states
The Appalachian Blacksmiths Association (ABA) was founded in 1978 and serves blacksmiths located in West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky. The organization is an ABANA affiliate and provides its members with a range of learning and networking opportunities.
ABA members receive newsletters packed with information about local blacksmiths, tools, equipment, and events. The organization hosts two conferences each year in the spring and fall. Hammer-ins take place at historical sites across the state of West Virginia.
Smiths wanting to expand their skills can sign up for ABA’s ongoing blacksmithing workshops. These workshops are perfect for smiths of all experience levels and take place at Cedar Lakes Conference Center.
For more information about membership and workshop offerings, visit the Appalachian Blacksmiths Association website or give them a call at the number above.
6) West Virginia University School of Art & Design
- Type: Blacksmithing, Sculpture
- Classes: small group, undergraduate, graduate
- Price: Contact for pricing information
- Website: https://artanddesign.wvu.edu/academics/sculpture
- Telephone: (304) 293-4077
- Location: 1436 Evansdale Dr. Morgantown, WV 26506
West Virginia University’s School of Art & Design is one of the leading places to study art in the United States. The School is a member of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design and offers unique programs in art of all mediums.
Blacksmiths and metal artists interested in specializing in metal sculpture can learn the skills they need through the college’s sculpture program. This program is available for undergraduate and graduate artists. Students of sculpture study the materials and processes needed to sculpt with wood, metal, and other mediums.
For those interested in metal specifically, Professor Dylan Collins is someone to study under. Collins specializes in sculptural blacksmithing and welding.
Whether students are seeking entry into the undergraduate or graduate program at the School of Art & Design, they must first apply for admission into West Virginia University. More information about the application process and tuition costs can be found on the University’s website and by calling the School of Art & Design.