Ferrous Festival 2019 5th - 14th April 2019

For anyone interested in blacksmithing you might like to visit the Ferrous Festival 2019 in Hereford City Centre.
Free talks and exhibitions including the  #150mmchallenge and a talk by MY DAD!!! on
Saturday 6th April - 1.30pm – 2.30pm 

Hector Cole – Master Arrowsmith and Archaeological Ironworker  
Title – Working with Archaeologists to research and recreate found artefacts

Below is a link to the website and a bit more information!
https://www.herefordcitylife.co.uk/ferrous2019

A FESTIVAL OF ARTIST BLACKSMITHING,
HEREFORD 5th- 14th APRIL 2019
PROGRAMME & MAP  

FERROUS FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH A CELEBRATION OF THE NATURAL WORLD  

After an amazing festival in October 2017, Hereford Business Improvement District and Hereford College of Arts are enormously proud to present the second Hereford Festival of Artist Blacksmithing this April.  

The ten-day festival celebrates the natural world through the craft of blacksmithing. You can have a go at forging your very own seed marker to take home, along with your own wildflower seeds to plant and help support the bees. There is also a stunning exhibition from primary schools around Herefordshire of handcrafted tin plaques which celebrate the natural environment and there is the opportunity to make a plaque during the festival. 

Recently, Hereford College of Arts lecturer, Ambrose Burne set a challenge for students to make the most of a small piece of metal (150mm by 20mm x 20 mm), a challenge which artist blacksmiths around the world have taken up. Be the first to see their work in this extraordinary and beautiful exhibition before it goes on tour. 

There are also workshops, films, exhibitions and talks from renowned blacksmiths that celebrate the blacksmithing tradition. All are very welcome at the festival, and there are activities the whole family can get involved in.  

The Festival acts as a showcase for the remarkable range of home-grown artistic and cultural talent in Herefordshire and is already establishing a reputation as the place for international metal artists to exhibit their work. 

The collaboration between Hereford College of Arts and the Hereford Business Improvement District has been inspiring to both partners – in the very best location, Hereford city centre. With its hundreds of years of history and thriving commercial centre, we are able to reveal some of the very best in contemporary design and modern craftsmanship and look forward to developing this exceptional role for our city further this year and into the future. 

We really hope you enjoy the festival. Please let us know what you've enjoyed and what you would like to see at future festivals by completing our online feedback at www.surveymonkey.com/r/Ferrous2019 (will need to check this is the correct address before final proof is signed off) 

Georgia Smith & Del Done
Hereford Business Improvement District & Hereford College of Arts
Festival Organisers   

Venue #1 
HAVE A GO AT FORGING AND HELP SAVE THE BEES - High Town, 5th – 7th April  

This is your chance to have a hands-on experience of blacksmithing and help save the bees.
The festival will bring hot metal forges to High Town, each run by an experienced blacksmith who will be able to guide you through the process of creating your own seed marker which you get to take home, along with your own wildflower seeds. Throughout the weekend, hundreds of seed markers will be made, and we hope that seeds will be planted in every garden and green space to help to reverse the bee decline. We have already lost 13 species, and another 35 are currently at risk. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if your neighbourhood was full of flourishing flowers for you and the bees to enjoy! 

If you haven’t booked your forging slot in advance, there may still be slots available on the day, so come to the forge area in High Town to book.  

Venue #2
MASTERS AT WORK 
Maylord Shopping Centre, Gomond Street - 5th to 14th April  11.00 am – 4.00 pm 

Paul Mikula is a traditionally trained South African Blacksmith with 28 years' experience, specialising in forging functional, decorative and sculptural ironworks. Due to failing infrastructure and a collapsing power grid, he decided to convert his business and house to run off-grid. His family lives on 165 hectares of veldt overlooking a nuclear facility. There they have a small hotel, Paul's forge and three households living entirely off-grid. Solar power takes care of their energy needs and three massive reservoirs store rainwater. 

Paul was invited to run a masterclass at Hereford College of Arts which is a project that embodies collaboration with artist blacksmith students from across all three years. Students came together with this international master to work on a design, and the piece they made with Paul was called ‘African Sun Mandala'. The design represents the sun of Africa and growth from the centre of the Mandala. The individual pieces making up the mandala incorporated simple and technically difficult blacksmithing processes so that the students had the chance to forge according to their ability. 

Martha Jones, a Photography degree student at Hereford College of Arts, produced a documentary photography essay of the masterclass, encapsulating the process of blacksmiths forging together to create this breathtaking cultural piece.    

Venue #3
Measured Making 
#150MM CHALLENGE
Maylord Shopping Centre, Gomond Street - 5th to 14th April 11.00 am – 4.00 pm 

Artist Blacksmith students at Hereford College of Arts were set a challenging project by lecturer Ambrose Burne to explore their creativity and the process of blacksmithing. Students were given a piece of metal measuring 150mm x 20mm x 20mm and set a brief to explore what was possible using their technical expertise and creativity.   

The results were exciting and students were encouraged to post their work on social media: that's where the real story began. Forged metal designers from around the world started to join in, making artefacts within the same constraints as the students and sharing images of their work. The exhibition displays a constellation of over 200 forged metal pieces from 12 different countries, including Mexico, Norway and Estonia.  

This challenge is a celebration of the art of forging, of exploring what is possible in the medium of metal. Be the first to see this extraordinary and beautiful exhibition at our festival before it goes on to tour the world. Follow #150mmchallenge on Instagram to see how the challenge develops.   

Venue #4
AMBROSE BURNE
Maylord Shopping Centre, Gomond Street - 5th to 14th April 11.00 am – 4.00 pm 

An exhibition of work by Ambrose Burne, an artist blacksmith who finds inspiration in the natural world as a design source. Sculptural forms are derived from studying how growth and movement is visually expressed in the natural world; focusing on the logic and progression of components in relation to overall form. He seeks out methods of manipulating metal; drawing out, spreading, bending and punching, that will emphasise the essential qualities of the original form. Vitally important to all Ambrose’s designs is that each element, component or fixing, is beneficial to both structure and overall aesthetic, he is constantly examining historical blacksmithing techniques to find the best methods to achieve his vision. The result is that his work is rich, both in historical references and contemporary design values.  

Venue # 5
NATIONAL HERITAGE IRONWORK GROUP
Maylord Shopping Centre, Gomond Street - Open 5-7th April 11.00 am – 4.00 pm 

The National Heritage Ironwork Group was formed to advance public awareness and knowledge of ironwork, to define and promote high standards in conservation and restoration through developing and promoting educational opportunities. 

This Exhibition highlights Britain's rich contribution to the history of Wrought and Cast iron production and its use in the decorative arts.  

Venue # 6 
STENEBY METAL + METAL 
Maylord Shopping Centre, Gomond Street - 5th to 14th April 11.00 am – 4.00 pm 

 An international forged metal art exhibition from the faculty staff of Gothenburg University HDK Steneby Metal Art Programme and Steneby School of Crafts. 

 Professor Heiner Zimmermann 
Associate Professor Tobias Birgersson 
Otto Samuelsson , Sören Hellquist , Karl Hallberg , Lina Söderberg  

Venue # 7
CELEBRATING THE NATURAL WORLD 
Maylord Shopping Centre, Gomond Street - 5th to 14th April 11.00 am – 4.00 pm  

'Celebrating the Natural World' is a project that celebrates the early craft skills of primary school children. Students from Hereford College of Arts Artist Blacksmithing degree course have run pop-up workshops for children in eight Hereford primary schools, providing them with an introduction to the tools and process of the blacksmith. Using small hammers and different shaped punches, and inspired by the natural world, the children have created embossed pictures on small metal plaques. The children have produced a menagerie – fish, birds, animals, and insects.   

There is an opportunity for children to make a plaque during the main festival weekend 5-7th April; book a slot at the venue.  

Venue # 8
BLACKSMITHS 
Maylord Shopping Centre, Gomond Street - 5th to 14th April 11.00 am – 4.00 pm  

A photographic exhibition of regional blacksmiths within their working environment, created by Hereford College of Arts Photography degree students Matthew Davies and William Pettit. These evocative portraits celebrate this traditional craft and the people who are passionate about it.  

Venue # 9
EMERGING PRACTICE 
Old Market - 5th to 14th April 11.00 am – 4.00 pm  

The 'Emerging Practice' exhibition is a vibrant display of the very best in cutting-edge forged metal design and craftsmanship from this year's crop of emerging makers on the international-facing Artist Blacksmithing degree course at Hereford College of Arts.  

The exhibition explores, challenges and celebrates the blacksmithing tradition. Design and fine art objects will be on display, comprising vessels and containers, sound-making sculptures, kinetic art and more. The exhibition is a chance to see a new vision of a traditional craft through the eyes of emerging talent.   

Venue # 10
ALUMNI - 5th to 14th April 11.00 am – 4.00 pm 

This exhibition showcases a selection of works from three Artist Blacksmithing degree alumni who are now running their own forged metal design companies. 

Sam Pearce
Christian Vaughan Jones 
Toby Forbes Gower  

Venue #11
FERROUS CINEMA
The Speakeasy, De Koffie Pot - 6th April 12pm – 7pm  

An excellent selection of short films, documentary and animation, celebrating the art of blacksmithing throughout the ages. Ferrous Cinema is curated by MASH Cinema.  

Venue # 12
LECTURES AND TALKS
Garrick Theatre, Courtyard, Edgar Street, HR4 9JR 

Friday 5th April - 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Karl Hallberg, Academic and Artist, HDK Gothenburg, Steneby 
Title – Crafting Public Space: about Craft and its role in the Community 

Friday 5th April – 3.00pm – 4.00pm
Matt Jenkins, Cloverdale Forge, Manitoba, Canada
Title – Blacksmithing without Tradition 

Venue # 13
LECTURES AND TALKS
The Loft Cinema, 18A West Street, HR4 0BX  

Saturday 6th April – 10.00am – 11.00am 

Andy Thearle – Artistic Director, Bath Iron
Title – Reflecting on Bath Iron: Forging a new Balustrade for the Parade Gardens Bandstand  

Saturday 6th April – 11.30am – 12.30 pm 

Brian Hall – Director and Senior Accredited Conservator, Halls Conservation Ltd
Title – Conservation of the Hereford Screen 

Saturday 6th April - 1.30pm – 2.30pm 

Hector Cole – Master Arrowsmith and Archaeological Ironworker  
Title – Working with Archaeologists to research and recreate found artefacts  

Venue # 14
CONNECTIONS - 5th to 14th April 11.00 am – 4.00 pm  

Connections are the backbone of contemporary forged metal design; this exhibition celebrates a variety of connections made by Artist Blacksmithing Degree students.  

Venue # Pop up
THE NOWHERE FORGE   

Simon Bushell is a travelling artist blacksmith and owner of The Nowhere Forge, a self-sufficient, sustainably powered mobile blacksmithing workshop. Simon spent four years building The Nowhere Forge and will be sharing his experience about living simply while maintaining a high quality of life and enjoyment.  

Over the main festival, The Nowhere Forge will be popping up across the city to demonstrate the art and craft of blacksmithing and to share Simon's truly inspiring life story. 

Hereford Anvils 

The festival crew are all students studying on the Artist Blacksmithing degree at Hereford College of Arts. The course is unique in the UK and has an international reputation for its place at the forefront of education in forged metal design, attracting students from across the world to study at our College Road Campus in Hereford.  The programme encompasses a breadth of practice from architectural design to interior product and sculpture, all made from forged metal. 

If you are interested in finding out more, follow @herefordanvils on Instagram.  

Del Done
Development Lead
Course Leader: BA (Hons) Artist Blacksmithing & MA Contemporary Crafts
Director: Ferrous Festival 2019 – Main Event weekend 5-7th April 2019 

Instagram @herefordanvils 
Instagram @ma_contemporary_crafts
Instagram @ferrousfestival2019 

Public Art Sculpture for The New Athelstan Museum, Malmesbury

Yesterday I delivered my sculpture to the new extension of the Athelstan Museum - known as the Julia And Hans Rausing Building in Malmesbury, Wiltshire.  www.athelstanmuseum.org.uk

This sculpture was commissioned by the Team organising the renovation of the former Moravian Church in Malmesbury  www.malmesburyappeal.co.uk

I was contacted in the summer of 2017 about the potential for a sculpture to celebrate the change of use and recognise the historic use of this lovely old landmark building in Malmesbury in North Wiltshire - my home town.

I was asked to identify a location for the sculpture and immediately wanted to use the space between the two beautiful arched stained glass windows to the roadside of the building - I also wanted people to look up at these windows as they passed the building so the height of the work was critical.

My sculptural work is known for being flowing and curvy; sensuous lines in steel that take the viewers encounter with my sculptures on a journey.  For this sculpture I decided to go in a different direction and take the form of the Moravian Star as the basis for my work - studying the geometric possibilities of making a steel sculpture that had the 26 points of a true Moravian star structure.  From this starting point I let my design develop and deconstructed the star shape while considering my blacksmithing techniques as the main means of making the work.

Plenty of people in Malmesbury are familiar with my Dad www.hectorcoleironwork.co.uk as he taught them metal work or technical drawing at Malmesbury School from the late 60's to 1990's  I thought it was a great chance for me to play homage to him and his historical forged weaponry influence on me.

The finished sculpture has a certain Medieval-weaponry feel to it while also taking the form of a Moravian Star based on a dodecahedron central structure - this element to the sculpture is what gives it a light delicate feel - and when you stand underneath it and look up through it you can see the complex structure inside.

Using different forged tapers sections in the star from flat bars hot-split or fire welded to angle iron forged to a taper the light plays on the surfaces at different angles and will change the dimensions of the work as the light changes.

The finish is a modern etched zinc grey with a dash of 24ct Gold to take your eye up and away in the sky.

The sculpture has been part of a big fundraising effort by the organisers of the renovation and restoration project of the old Moravian Church.  I would like to thank Angela and William Sykes for being confident in my ability to create a sculpture for the space and the Athelstan Museum Team for working with me on the commissioning process.

This project has been a big effort and for those who like to know how long a thing takes, I spent 71 hours on design, consultation and making a scale model and 151 hours were spent making the large scale sculpture, forging, cleaning, assembling, fabrication and finishing.  It weighs 53kgs.

I would also like to thank:
Morgan Scoble-Rees my current workshop assistant and forger of long tapers!
 ACNurden builders for their help installing the work http://www.nurden.ac/construction/
Wells Masonry for supplying a gorgeous piece of Bath stone www.wells-group.co.uk

@melissacole001


29th November 2018

Making Rivets and other stories

I have been working on a complex handrail panel with rivet details.  The sections are forged then joined to each other with a steel rivet giving a secure traditional decorative join using the round head rivets as a feature.
I have been lucky enough to have some workshop time filmed by SocialMeansUK
Here's the short film of the tool I made and how I use it for tricky riveting jobs like this one!

@socialmeansuk
@melissacole001

Autumn 2018 - Update

It has been a busy year so far!  I have made a large scale, split strand DNA sculpture for Winchester University Cosmic Walk.

DNA sculpture by Melissa Cole (photo credit; Mark Somerville)

I have also finished the last window panel in a Sir John Soanes designed house which depicts the history of the house and local landscape.

I am waiting to install another public art piece in Malmesbury - images to follow when the work is installed and have worked on a number of small commissions in-between.

My courses are fully booked for this year and I am also fully booked for commissions until May/June 2019

My Etsy gift shop https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MelissaColeGiftShop is starting to gain interest - I am selling smaller gift items here such as linked hearts, hooks, feathers and huge nails!

My prototype garden linked hearts were recently auctioned for the Jemima Layzell Trust www.jemimalayzell.com and raised £300 and a one day course raised £250 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance. www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk

I have had a part time blacksmith working with  me this year and hope this will continue while he develops his skills and knowledge of our craft.

'Makers' Tales at Guy Goodfellow Collection, London May 2018

Melissa Cole FWCB. Artist Blacksmith. Melissa Cole, bronze medal holder and Fellow of The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, is  exhibiting her hand forged sculptures throughout May in the Guy Goodfellow Collection showroom. Melissa’s work ranges from commissioned gates and railings to sculpture and fine art installations, combining contemporary design with forged and fabricated metal for external public spaces, private gardens and interiors. Melissa is internationally recognised for her craftsmanship and creates “Metal work that flows and wraps around itself, taking your eyes on a journey producing pieces that are solid in make up but light and free in their aesthetic quality” - www.TheWithLoveProject.co.uk Melissa has been featured on C4’s Grand Designs, BBC’s Escape to the Country and Radio 4 Woman’s Hour. The Makers' Tales showcase runs from 1st May - 1st June 2018.

Copyright © 2018 Guy Goodfellow Collection, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in by requesting further information from either our showroom or contacting us direct via email. Our mailing address is: Guy Goodfellow Collection 15 Langton Street London, London SW10 0JL United Kingdom

Heritage Crafts Association AGM London 2018

I was unable to attend this important conference supporting Heritage Crafts but images of me at work are often used in their promotional flyers and posters and i am a keen supporter of this charity.
My family went along to hear all the news and here is a link to my fabulous textile designer sister Rebecca Cole-Coker's blog report about the conference: http://pinkhousebyrebeccacole.com/2018/03/26/heritage-crafts-an-inspired-future/
www.hertitagecrafts.org.uk

Guest Blog with Wiltshire Arts Service 28th July 2017

 This week myself and Jonathan Mansfield, Landscape Painter give an insight into their working practices towards a curated show at The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham.
Follow the link below!

https://theartsinwiltshire.wordpress.com/2017/07/27/guest-blog-an-insight-into-our-working-practices-towards-a-curated-show-at-the-pound-arts-centre-corsham-melissa-cole-sculptor-and-jonathan-mansfield-landscape-painter/