Anacortes Senior College

Note: No Thursday Class on April 25; Last Class May 30.

Artistic metalsmithing has existed for thousands of years. This class will address the materials, techniques and tooling involved in hot metal art forging also known as metalsmithing. Metalsmithing encompasses numerous styles including Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Art Nouveau, Craftsman, Art Deco and Modern. Italian, Nordic, Germanic, French, Greek, Slavic, African, Arabic and countless other cultural and ethnic groups have made unique contributions to fine metalwork. We will explore grand architectural gates and other structures, elegant furnishings, personal ornamentation, tooling and historic weapons. For those adventurous world travelers, these introductions will peak awareness of peoples and history through recognition of beautiful metal sculpture, ornamentation, artists, tools and timeless techniques. During this class you will be invited to bring, show and explain your own personal metal treasures and the amazing stories behind them.

Instructor: Paul Thorne

Paul Thorne's ancestors come from a long line of skilled workmen including a blacksmith, carriage maker, tool and die maker, pattern maker, machinists, locomotive engineers, mechanical engineers and teachers. Paul has been a working blacksmith since 1983 and has worked in the metal working industries his entire adult life. His architectural and sculptural work is found in fine homes throughout the Pacific Northwest. He has demonstrated in numerous conferences and taught students, apprentices and fellow smiths out of his own shop for many years. You will find his teaching thorough, understandable, patient and enthusiastic. Paul’s passionate life calling is to create beautiful ironwork and pass on this craft to the next generation of blacksmiths.