Californian artist blacksmith Shawn Lovell will join some of Australia’s most talented hot metal workers when the 2017 Blacksmith’s Festival fires up in Footscray next weekend.
The free family-friendly festival on the banks of the Maribyrnong River will feature blacksmithing demonstrations, talks, live music and fresh food, along with plenty of Belgian and local beers.
One of country’s largest gatherings of blacksmiths and metal artists, the May 13-14 event will be held at Footscray’s Waterside Metal Art Studio, hosted by the Waterside Blacksmithing and Metal Art Association.
San Francisco-based Lovell will be showing why she is considered one of the most talented full-time female artist blacksmiths in the US, plying her craft alongside local artists Estebaan Dante, Bruce Rasmussen and Jack Wylestone.
Waterside Blacksmithing and Metal Art Association president Steve Phillips said the festival also aimed to share ideas in the blacksmithing and metal artist community.
“Through this festival, we bring some of Australia’s finest artist blacksmiths to Footscray to provide the general public a unique opportunity to see how blacksmithing is now being incorporated in the generation of contemporary metal art.”
The official launch will take place at 5pm Saturday, including the ignition of a six-metre high fireball from the depths of the Maribyrnong River.
See live demonstrations, hand-forged bubble blowers and live music by four-piece band La Rumba, from 4.30-6pm Saturday.
Maribyrnong mayor Catherine Cumming said the council is pleased to support festivals that celebrate the community’s rich culture and creativity.
“This is one of the largest gatherings of blacksmiths in Australia, so don’t miss out on opportunity to celebrate an age-old practice that has been all but lost in the modern day society,” Cr Cumming said.
