Beginner Blacksmithing
with Bryan Fritts
BLK-090625-2
This Class is Full, but New Courses are Being Added Regularly!
Be Sure to Check Our Class Listings for More Fun and Engaging Art Opportunities
Date
Saturday & Sunday
September 6 & 7, 2025
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuition
(Select One)
Materials Fee (Paid at the Beginning of Class)
$20 Materials Fee payable to the Center. This fee goes toward the metal, coal, and general maintenance of our forge.
Quantity
12 Seat(s) Still Available
Student(s)
(Please Choose 'Member' or 'Non-Member' First)
Class Description
This class will introduce students to tools found in the shop the anvil, forge and hammer. How to light and maintain a fire. Once familiar with the tools of the trade we will practice fundamental techniques such as drawing out, upsetting, tapers, twists and punching holes. All done while learning proper stance, hammer control and safety in the shop. Students will make nails, hooks, fire pokers and other useful items and learn how to apply finishes to these items. Students are asked to bring safety glasses, and hearing protections closed toe shoes are required also their favorite hammer if they have one. Gloves and aprons are optional. If you are enthusiastic, comfortable working with your hands, and willing to work hard you qualify.
Materials List
If students have safety glasses and welding gloves, they're encouraged to bring those. Closed toed shoes and cotton clothing are required, long hair tied back, and hearing protection if desired.
Minimum Age
18 and older, exceptions with special permission
About the Instructor
Bryan Fritts has been blacksmithing since 1997, and is Manley Brown's ( blacksmith in Lexington VA ) last living apprentice . He has worked in the blacksmith shop as an historic interpreter at Virginia Explore Park and does public demonstration's at fall festivals across southern VA. Brayn is both self taught and has taken classes at John C Campbell Folk School. He has also attended numerous blacksmithing workshops sponsored by the guilds located in the area. He is a member of ABANA and the Old Dominion Blacksmith's Association. Bryan states "I love working with iron and non-ferrous metals. I also do fabrication and welding and upcycled / repurposed art from junk. I live in Blue Ridge VA with my wife Becky and have four children and four grandchildren."
Class Registration and Cancellation Policy
Advance Registration Required.
Registration: Class registrations are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cancellation/Refund: The Floyd Center for the Arts will conduct classes for which an adequate number of students are registered. Class status is determined 1 week before the first date of the class, unless otherwise noted. Acceptance of payment does not guarantee that a class will run. If the Center must cancel a scheduled class, students who registered for such classes will be given the opportunity to transfer their payments to another course or receive a full refund of their tuition payment.
Student Withdrawals: Students withdrawing from a class before the cancellation period has ended, (one week prior to the start of class, unless otherwise noted) can receive a full refund or may transfer their payments to another class of their choice. Students who withdraw after the cancellation period has closed or after class has started, will not receive a refund.