8-Week Series

Date: Tuesdays, September 8th – October 27th

Time: 6pm- 9pm, each Tuesday

Description: Get introduced to the possibilities of blacksmithing during this hands-on, introductory workshop series. Over eight weeks, you’ll learn and practice fundamental forging skills while creating functional projects like wall hooks, utensils, and time permitting, a pair of blacksmithing tongs. You’ll learn forge safety, proper tool use, and basic techniques including drawing out, tapering, bending, twisting, and punching. No prior experience is required!

This class will involve hot metal, fire, and repetitive swinging of a hammer, it will be somewhat physically demanding so slight stamina is required.

Tuition: $365+ $40 materials fee

Materials: All materials will be provided.

Students should wear natural fibers such as cotton and denim. Uncuffed pants and closed-toe shoes are required (no shorts or sandals permitted). Long hair should be restrained. Safety glasses and hearing protection are provided; however, participants may bring their own if preferred. We recommend bringing a water bottle to stay hydrated. This workshop is in an open air studio, bring a coat to keep warm before the forges get fired up!

Location: Contemporary Craft – Timmons Studios, Blacksmithing Studio (5688 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201)

Cancellations and Refunds: Workshop cancellations are decided three business days before the start date. If workshops must be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, the entire class fee will be refunded through Eventbrite, or you may leave your workshop fee in your Contemporary Craft account for future workshops.

ANY WORKSHOP OR INDIVIDUAL SESSION CANCELLATIONS WILL BE COMMUNICATED VIA EMAIL.

Refund Policy: Student refund requests must be made at least three business days before a class begins. There will be a $25 cancellation fee. We are unable to refund materials cost for this workshop. No refunds will be given without three-business days notice. Processing of refunds takes approximately three weeks.

About the Artist

Aidan Rhoades is a blacksmith and woodworker who recently completed their MFA at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where they served as the Contemporary Craft Fellow, helping to develop the Blacksmithing degree program and studio. They have taught a workshop at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle, Maine, and participated in artist residencies at the Center for Metal Arts in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and Penland School of Craft in Bakersville, North Carolina. In fall 2026, Aidan will serve as the National Artist in Residence for Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They will be featured in the upcoming ABANA National Conference with the Future of Blacksmithing demonstrator group.