The CanIRON team has decided to shift some of the programming FORWARD over to Thursday Afternoon (from the original Sunday afternoon slots).
The two featured demonstrators this effects are Paul Allen (Forging a Flower) and Mark Puigmarti (Sculpting Mass 1)
The current schedule also includes more panel sessions, workshops and lectures in our small conference room.
Go to the CanIRON 8 Schedule on the main web site to see!
(I was having big problems getting Blogger to post up an easy to read version of the current schedule. After an hour of screwing around, I just gave up!)
Monday, February 21, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Gallery - Confusion on 'competition'??
(this edited from a combination of recent letters by Darrell and Kelly)
There appears to be some misunderstanding currently about the Gallery at CanIRON 8. There were three slightly differing descriptions published, one in the Iron Trillium newsletter, one on the primary web site, and a third prepared for here on the blog. The core information had been delivered at several earlier OABA monthly meetings.
Kelly had thought that she had stated clearly that ALL works are welcome and encouraged in the Gallery. Almost all Gallery presentations have a "themed" portion to challenge its members/artists to create something within a specific set of parameters and have awarded nominal prizes for this. Perhaps the word 'competition' was the wrong word to use? It is just a system of recognition by your peers and those who are respected in the craft as a way of saying, "hey what a great job this guy did with these materials" or "what a unique way of interpreting that problem". If mere language is the problem, lets call it a 'Themed Challenge' instead.
No one is required to participate in the themed challenge, it is just an option, and if you dislike the theme then don't do a theme oriented piece... But please DO bring pieces to the gallery. Yet again - ALL WORKS WILL BE EXHIBITED - provided they fit into the space and can be moved without mechanical aid.
Once again ALL works will be displayed. Everything. Old, new, in process, experimental...
Once again, participation in the Gallery itself is NOT a competition. It is a Exhibition. It is there to display the work of the membership and all those who are visiting the conference in the hope that we can inspire both our own membership and the public, and boost our profile in the community at large.
But that does not stop us from recognizing exceptional works. This of itself is not meant to be intimidating, and hopefully good work is something we all aspire to.
There have been questions raised about the use of the term 'Traditional Joinery' to define the chosen Themed Challenge. We all are quite aware do that forge welding is a 'traditional' technique. It is simply excluded from this specific Themed Challenge for the purpose of an exercise. There needed to be a name. There needed to be definition. It is the role of the Gallery Co-Ordinator (called a curator in the art world) to set this theme.
It might also be good to remember that experience at the forge is not related to direct experience assembling effective Gallery exhibits. It was the stated intent of the CanIRON 8 organization team from day one to recruit experienced and capable individuals, then allow them to undertake their specific roles without attempting to micro-manage them.
Summery : The major points are this:
1) Anyone can bring ANY blacksmith related work they would like to display in the Gallery.
2) Its a large space, there is lots of space for lots of work.
3) You do have to be able to hand carry it through a standard door.
IN ADDITION
1) There will be some SPECIAL recognitions awarded - applied over EVERYTHING in the Gallery
2) The judges will include well known and experienced Ontario Blacksmiths, and hopefully some of the featured demonstrators. (not recruited yet)
3) There will be three awards : Best Use of Materials / Best in Show / Judges Choice
4) We hope that we can manage some actual prizes
IN EVEN MORE ADDITION
1) People can ALSO enter specific objects in a 'Theme' category - named 'Traditional Joinery'
2) This has been specifically described as 'joints which are not welded or braised'
3) Any object in this specific category must have been made AFTER the last CanIRON (August 2009)
4) What will be judged is the THEME - as DEFINED (which may just be part of a more complex object)
Blacksmithing in Ontario has grown considerably in the 30 plus years since OABA was first formed. One of biggest continuing problems is our work is not taken seriously by the artistic community at large. Those of us with (extensive) experience with modern artists and craftspeople are attempting to change this.
Kelly Probyn-Smith - Gallery Co-Ordinator / elfworks(at)sympatico.ca
Darrell Markewitz - CanIRON Team Leader / caniron(at)warehamforge.ca
If you have any questions regarding the Gallery at CanIRON 8, PLEASE contact us directly!
There appears to be some misunderstanding currently about the Gallery at CanIRON 8. There were three slightly differing descriptions published, one in the Iron Trillium newsletter, one on the primary web site, and a third prepared for here on the blog. The core information had been delivered at several earlier OABA monthly meetings.
Kelly had thought that she had stated clearly that ALL works are welcome and encouraged in the Gallery. Almost all Gallery presentations have a "themed" portion to challenge its members/artists to create something within a specific set of parameters and have awarded nominal prizes for this. Perhaps the word 'competition' was the wrong word to use? It is just a system of recognition by your peers and those who are respected in the craft as a way of saying, "hey what a great job this guy did with these materials" or "what a unique way of interpreting that problem". If mere language is the problem, lets call it a 'Themed Challenge' instead.
No one is required to participate in the themed challenge, it is just an option, and if you dislike the theme then don't do a theme oriented piece... But please DO bring pieces to the gallery. Yet again - ALL WORKS WILL BE EXHIBITED - provided they fit into the space and can be moved without mechanical aid.
Once again ALL works will be displayed. Everything. Old, new, in process, experimental...
Once again, participation in the Gallery itself is NOT a competition. It is a Exhibition. It is there to display the work of the membership and all those who are visiting the conference in the hope that we can inspire both our own membership and the public, and boost our profile in the community at large.
But that does not stop us from recognizing exceptional works. This of itself is not meant to be intimidating, and hopefully good work is something we all aspire to.
There have been questions raised about the use of the term 'Traditional Joinery' to define the chosen Themed Challenge. We all are quite aware do that forge welding is a 'traditional' technique. It is simply excluded from this specific Themed Challenge for the purpose of an exercise. There needed to be a name. There needed to be definition. It is the role of the Gallery Co-Ordinator (called a curator in the art world) to set this theme.
It might also be good to remember that experience at the forge is not related to direct experience assembling effective Gallery exhibits. It was the stated intent of the CanIRON 8 organization team from day one to recruit experienced and capable individuals, then allow them to undertake their specific roles without attempting to micro-manage them.
Summery : The major points are this:
1) Anyone can bring ANY blacksmith related work they would like to display in the Gallery.
2) Its a large space, there is lots of space for lots of work.
3) You do have to be able to hand carry it through a standard door.
IN ADDITION
1) There will be some SPECIAL recognitions awarded - applied over EVERYTHING in the Gallery
2) The judges will include well known and experienced Ontario Blacksmiths, and hopefully some of the featured demonstrators. (not recruited yet)
3) There will be three awards : Best Use of Materials / Best in Show / Judges Choice
4) We hope that we can manage some actual prizes
IN EVEN MORE ADDITION
1) People can ALSO enter specific objects in a 'Theme' category - named 'Traditional Joinery'
2) This has been specifically described as 'joints which are not welded or braised'
3) Any object in this specific category must have been made AFTER the last CanIRON (August 2009)
4) What will be judged is the THEME - as DEFINED (which may just be part of a more complex object)
Blacksmithing in Ontario has grown considerably in the 30 plus years since OABA was first formed. One of biggest continuing problems is our work is not taken seriously by the artistic community at large. Those of us with (extensive) experience with modern artists and craftspeople are attempting to change this.
Kelly Probyn-Smith - Gallery Co-Ordinator / elfworks(at)sympatico.ca
Darrell Markewitz - CanIRON Team Leader / caniron(at)warehamforge.ca
If you have any questions regarding the Gallery at CanIRON 8, PLEASE contact us directly!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Revisions and Additions to SCHEDULE
Yikes! I realize that although a LOT has been happening on the CanIRON 8 front (check the web site), I have not been keeping a flow of information over here on the blog!
The thing that will be most interesting to you readers will be the refinement and additions to the conference time table. Our featured demonstrators have given us their intended presentation topics. These have been worked into the framework as best possible.
There have also been a number of short panel or workshop sessions added. Many of these are topics around the edges of blacksmithing (like using the internet to promote your work).
Its looking like a PACKED schedule! Don't fret if you see way too much stuff than you can possibly all attend. My personal philosophy is that a great conference should have more interesting sessions than a single person can fit into their weekend.
The thing that will be most interesting to you readers will be the refinement and additions to the conference time table. Our featured demonstrators have given us their intended presentation topics. These have been worked into the framework as best possible.
There have also been a number of short panel or workshop sessions added. Many of these are topics around the edges of blacksmithing (like using the internet to promote your work).
Its looking like a PACKED schedule! Don't fret if you see way too much stuff than you can possibly all attend. My personal philosophy is that a great conference should have more interesting sessions than a single person can fit into their weekend.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Save $$ - Beat the HST!
Register BEFORE January 31, 2011
After that date, CanIRON will be registering for the HST.
(Sorry about this, but the raw size of CanIRON requires us to at some point.)
If your registration for CanIRON is recieved before the government paperwork takes effect, you save yourself having to pay that additional 13%
Early Registrations get a cut rate of $225 + on the fee ($200 for current OABA members).
Thats a savings of $25 off the standard registration fee (before June 1), $50 less than 'at the door' (after June 1).
DOWNLOAD the REGISTRATION FORM - as a PDF file
After that date, CanIRON will be registering for the HST.
(Sorry about this, but the raw size of CanIRON requires us to at some point.)
If your registration for CanIRON is recieved before the government paperwork takes effect, you save yourself having to pay that additional 13%
Early Registrations get a cut rate of $225 + on the fee ($200 for current OABA members).
Thats a savings of $25 off the standard registration fee (before June 1), $50 less than 'at the door' (after June 1).
DOWNLOAD the REGISTRATION FORM - as a PDF file
The CanIron VIII Gallery - Theme & Things to Think About
For CanIron VIII the Gallery will be open to all who wish to participate. We are hoping that everyone will bring a piece of work, large or small to display to show everyone who you are and what you do.
The theme for the Gallery at this event is going to be “traditional joinery” and I’d like to state that this means joins which are not welded.
Now, hold on, before you get upset …
Yes, absolutely welding (especially forge welding) is a traditional form of joining two pieces together. However, I’ve decided that for the THEMED COMPETITION ONLY works with welded/brazed joins will not be eligible.
I want to make it very clear that ALL works (provided they will fit through a standard doorway and don’t require more than a couple of people to move them) will be shown. All works in the gallery with the exceptions of those created by the chosen judging panel will be eligible for certain prizes. The themed competition will be open only to new works (created since CanIron VII) that use other forms of traditional joinery – mortise and tenon, riveting etc.
What made me choose this theme? Well, I’d been thinking about it for a couple of months, trying to decide: what hadn’t seen in a while, what would get people thinking, what would get them excited, what would get them creating? Then I came across an article in an old copy of Hammer’s Blow from 2003 called Tenons and Tradition by Preston Farabow. He had taken a class on traditional joinery with Clay Spencer and while he found it frustrating at first that he couldn’t even tack weld pieces together he ended up really enjoying the way it made him think about things. In short, it inspired me.
I find that we all get into a groove and have default ways of doing things. Everyone has to worry about timelines, many have to worry about profit margins and we all have to do problem solving at every turn. This made me think about how many people would have to think again – not just the creators of larger pieces, but the people who create smaller pieces.
Whether you are making a bench or a piece of jewellery falling back on welding, brazing or soldering is something that most everyone does. They are wonderful arts in themselves and they have been around a long time. They are generally sturdy and solid and make for a joint you don’t need to worry about once the skills are developed. Once you take it away though, you are presented with an interesting group of problems. It is like taking glue out of the equation for other crafts…if you can’t do that, how would you assemble that piece?
I knew that it might create a bit of uproar from some folks, but that’s exactly what I meant it to do. I look forward to all the pieces that were made to spit in my eye!
Kelly Probyn-Smith
Gallery Co-Ordinator for CanIRON 8
The theme for the Gallery at this event is going to be “traditional joinery” and I’d like to state that this means joins which are not welded.
Now, hold on, before you get upset …
Yes, absolutely welding (especially forge welding) is a traditional form of joining two pieces together. However, I’ve decided that for the THEMED COMPETITION ONLY works with welded/brazed joins will not be eligible.
I want to make it very clear that ALL works (provided they will fit through a standard doorway and don’t require more than a couple of people to move them) will be shown. All works in the gallery with the exceptions of those created by the chosen judging panel will be eligible for certain prizes. The themed competition will be open only to new works (created since CanIron VII) that use other forms of traditional joinery – mortise and tenon, riveting etc.
What made me choose this theme? Well, I’d been thinking about it for a couple of months, trying to decide: what hadn’t seen in a while, what would get people thinking, what would get them excited, what would get them creating? Then I came across an article in an old copy of Hammer’s Blow from 2003 called Tenons and Tradition by Preston Farabow. He had taken a class on traditional joinery with Clay Spencer and while he found it frustrating at first that he couldn’t even tack weld pieces together he ended up really enjoying the way it made him think about things. In short, it inspired me.
I find that we all get into a groove and have default ways of doing things. Everyone has to worry about timelines, many have to worry about profit margins and we all have to do problem solving at every turn. This made me think about how many people would have to think again – not just the creators of larger pieces, but the people who create smaller pieces.
Whether you are making a bench or a piece of jewellery falling back on welding, brazing or soldering is something that most everyone does. They are wonderful arts in themselves and they have been around a long time. They are generally sturdy and solid and make for a joint you don’t need to worry about once the skills are developed. Once you take it away though, you are presented with an interesting group of problems. It is like taking glue out of the equation for other crafts…if you can’t do that, how would you assemble that piece?
I knew that it might create a bit of uproar from some folks, but that’s exactly what I meant it to do. I look forward to all the pieces that were made to spit in my eye!
Kelly Probyn-Smith
Gallery Co-Ordinator for CanIRON 8
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Schedule - Revised, Detailed, Additions!
Posted - 11/27/10 :
Additions of specific demonstrators and topics / Conference Room programing
Information in italics has not been confirmed
Information in (brackets) should be considered tentative
Feature Demonstration | Feature Lecture | Hands on Workshop | Public Outreach |
| Secondary Demonstration | Secondary Lecture / Panel | Other Activities |
Time | Area | THURSDAY | FRIDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY | MONDAY | |
July 28 | July 29 | July 30 | July 31 | August 1 | |||
MORNING | 9 - 12 | Site Opens | Packing Down | ||||
Gallery | Work Accepted | Members Only | Members Only | Members Only | |||
Public Demo | Iron Smelt | Major Project | Major Project | OABA Members | |||
Demo A | Paul Allan Forging a Flower | Paul Allan Scrollwork for Acanthus Leaf | Jake Powning Bronze Casting | ||||
Demo B | Jesus Hernandez Bloom to Bar | Kelly Smyth | Brian Russell Assembling Gate | ||||
| | Hands On | Kelly Smyth | Brian Russell Gate Elements | Paul Allan Making Acanthus Leaf | |||
Conference A | | Contributed Video | Contributed video | Contributed Video | |||
(9 - 10:30 ) | Conference B | | (members session) | (members session) | (members session) | ||
(10:30 12 ) | Conference B | | (members session) | (members session) | (members session) | ||
LUNCH | (12 - 1:30 ) | Registration Opens | Site Closes | ||||
12:30 - 1:30 | Gallery | Using the INTENET | Business of Blacksmithing | CanIRON 9 | |||
12:45 - 1:30 | Caffeteria | Sandra Dunn Design from History | Jesus Hernandez Japanese Bladesmithing | Mike McCarthy 19th C Blacksmiths | |||
AFTERNOON | 1:30 - 4:30 | Cleanup | |||||
Gallery | Work Accepted | Public Access 'Meet the Artist' | Public Access 'Meet the Artist' | Remove Work | |||
Public Demo | Iron Smelt | Major Project | Major Project | ||||
Demo A | (currently open) | Brian Russell | Sandra Dunn Joinery Elements | Sandra Dunn Assembling Object | |||
Demo B | (currently open) | Mark Puigmarti Sculpting Mass 1 | Jake Powning Pattern Welding | Mark Puigmarti Sculpting Mass 2 | |||
Hands On | (currently open) | currently open | Mike McCarthy Basic Toolmaking | Forging Competition (public) | |||
Conference A | | Contributed Video | Contributed video | Contributed Video | |||
(1:30 - 3 ) | Conference B | Panel: 'How to CanIRON' | Workshop: | currently open | currently open | ||
(3 - 4:30 ) | Conference B | (possibly open) | Panel: 'Women of Steel' | currently open | currently open | ||
DINNER | ( 5 - 6:30 ) | Opening BBQ | Thank Yous | Official Closing | |||
EVENING | 7 - 8 | Caffeteria | Meet Demonstrators | Brian Russell Portfolio | Auction (public) 6:30 - 9 | ||
7 - 8 | Gallery | | (possibly open) | | |||
8 - 9 | Caffeteria | Paul Allan Portfolio | Jake Powning Design from Ancients | Auction (public) 6:30 - 9 | |||
8 - 9 | Gallery | Mark Puigmarti Portfolio | Kelly Smyth | | |||
(6:30 - 9:30) | Demo A | (possibly open) | Jesus Hernandez Japanese Bladesmithing | ||||
(6:30 - 9:30) | Demo B | (possibly open) | Mike McCarthy Pipe Tomahawk | ||||
| ( 6 - 10) | Hands On | Open Forge | Open Forge | Open Forge |
The Organizing Team is intending on setting up the CANIRON site to provide for the following (additions in bold) :
DEMONSTRATION AREAS - There will be two main areas equipped for your featured demonstrators. You can see that this means two choices for any given session - with sessions planned for both morning and afternoons on Friday / Saturday / Sunday.
HANDS ON AREA - There will be a third work area, equipped with between 6 - 8 forge work stations:
1) The featured demonstrators will conduct a specific hands on workshop session. Sessions Thursday afternoon, plus both morning & afternoon of Friday / Saturday, plus Sunday morning. Individuals wanting to participate will need to sign up in advance, and available slots will be limited. Of course others will be free to observe 'outside the ropes' those sessions.
3) In the evenings (Thurs/Fri/Sat) The SIX work stations will be available for pick up work, inspiration, or just plain messing around. There will be teaching supervision provided in the evenings from 7 - 9 pm only.
LUNCH TIME LECTURES - In the later half of the lunch period, speakers drawn from a wider pool will be presenting shorter sessions on an expanded set of topics inside the gallery space. We expect to be able to provide 35 - 50 spaces of seating there. This in addition to presentations in the main dinning hall by our featured demonstrators. So come feed your mind as well as your body. (Friday / Saturday / Sunday)
EVENING PRESENTATIONS - We have broken the evenings down for two individual sessions, to take place in the main dining hall and also in the smaller space inside the gallery. Each session is for an hour, and is certain to include formal presentations by your featured demonstrators.
CONFERENCE ROOM SESSIONS - There will be two smaller rooms, equipped with 'board room' style tables. One room will be set up to show video presentations of interest to all. The second room will schedule specialized discussions. Current plans are to create a series of these panel and group discussion sessions, running 90 minutes each, afternoons. Have a topic / group you'd like to gather, even if its just for a place to 'Chew the Fat'? The rooms will also be available on a 'sign up' basis, for members to book for morning sessions.
FORGING COMPETITION - Love it or hate it, forging competitions done on the spot between teams of participants are always a big part of any gathering of Blacksmiths! Our hope is to allow the general public to be able to observe the goings on 'from behind the ropes'. This event will take place in the Hands On area on Sunday afternoon.
AUCTION - In keeping with our mission to inform and involve the public in selected aspects of CANIRON, we are hoping to open up participation in the fund raising auction to those with fatter wallets! The Auction is scheduled for Saturday early evening.
GALLERY - The best way to inform the public to what we REALLY do is to allow them access to the Gallery. Bring your best and most inspiring work, make sure you include a stack of business cards. The layout of the site at the Fergus Sportsplex is ideal in terms of both layout and large size. Security and close supervision will be provided for all the work.
OPENING BBQ SOCIAL - All registared participants are invited to join in for an informal BBQ on a Bun dinner on Thursday - hosted by OABA. (Included with your paid registration.) Come meet the other conference members!
PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS - A special area is being set aside, accessable to the general public, to illustrate just what Blacksmithing is all about:
Thursday - A demonstration of bloomery furnace iron smelting by members of the Dark Ages Re-creation Company.
Friday & Saturday - Work on creation of a larger artwork project, undertaken by OABA members under the direction of Dave McCord. Sunday - 'Hammer in' style work by members of OABA�
Monday, November 8, 2010
Registration Details!
Latest Addition November 1, 2010
The Admission and related fees have been established for CanIRON.
Major changes indicated in colour.
Admission Fees
| Type | Dates | General Admission | OABA Members |
| Early Bird | before 1/31/11 | $225 | $200 |
| Pre-Register | before 5/31/11 | $250 | $225 |
| REGISTER | after 6/1/11 | $275 | $250 |
| Single Day | at event | $85 | $75 |
| Student | any point | 1/2 price | 1/2 price |
| Spouse | any point | $50 | $50 |
| Under 16 | | Free | Free |
OABA Members in good standing receive a discount ($25) to account for their support.
Qualified Students must be currently enrolled full time at secondary or post secondary level.
Any Spouse is that of a fully registered person, and is limited to observation only.
Children are those less than 16 years of age, and will not be allowed any direct hands on participation (for safety reasons).
There is no fee to attend certain public demonstrations, Gallery Exhibit, Vendor & Tailgate sales area, Camping grounds.
Meals & Camping
| Type | Details | Cost |
| Welcome BBQ | Thursday Diner | Included in Admission |
| Meal Plan | Lunch - Friday / Saturday / Sunday Diner - Friday / Saturday | $100 |
| Closing Diner | Saturday ONLY * | $20 |
| Camping | all sites have electric and water | |
| | Tree covered (single vehicle + tent) | $25 per night |
| | Open Field (single vehicle / RV + 3 tent max.) | $25 per night |
| Parking | | Free |
Pre-Registration is required for inclusion in the meal plan. Must be recieved by July 11, 2011
* The Saturday diner is INCLUDED in the full meal package, this offer required for those using a 'one day' pass.
There is no waste dump station on site for those with RV's.
CanIRON 'Swag'
| Type | Details | Cost |
| CanIRON 8 'T' Shirt | In BLACK - sizes S to 3X | |
| | PRE-ORDER : until June 15th | $13 |
| | at the conference | $15 |
| CanIRON 8 Hat | Either BALL CAP or BUCKET style | |
| | PRE-ORDER : until June 15th | $13 |
| | at the conference | $15 |
Payment
All fees in CANADIAN funds.
Remember that 13% HST is required in addition.
For all pre-registrations, include a Cheque or Money Order (Canadian funds ONLY) made payable to : Ontario Artist Blacksmith Association
CANCELLATION FEES - prior to June 15, 2011 = $20 / after = $35 / NO REFUNDS AFTER JULY 15, 2011.
Pre-registrations with fees are mailed to:
Ontario Artist Blacksmith Association, c/o Shirley Young
285 Brand Rd 22 / RR 2
Ancaster, ON
L9G 3L1
Download a printable registration form : As PDF
Email : Registration at CanIRON ?
These fees may be subject to change should changing events dictate
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