Workshops
Educational Smithing Workshops
My beautiful, creative metalsmithing studio space is located in Ontario Canada in the Madawaska River Valley. We are situated in Renfrew County, in Springtown, between Burnstown and Calabogie. The studio was purpose-built, is 1600 square feet, and has 12-foot ceilings. A wall of windows facing south takes advantage of passive solar heating with overhangs that protect the building from the summer sun. There are individual workstations and ample room to spread out and use the equipment. I take pride in my studio tools and equipment. It is a beautiful creative space to work. It is my aim to make your time a productive learning experience.
Ample accommodations are available in the area, along with restaurants in Burnstown and Calabogie. Please contact me and I can advise. Also, I can arrange pick up and drop off from both Ottawa airport and train station along with transport to the local B and B.
My goal setting up a studio was to continue to teach metal forming personally, as well as bring in accomplished instructors with specialized skills to teach limited enrollment intensive classes. All classes will be hands-on, so come expecting to have tools in your hand. I believe that you learn best by doing. There is an extensive reference library of reference materials. All equipment is provided, but feel free to bring your own favourite tools.
I am looking forward to working with you in the studio. David
Upcoming Workshops
METAL FORMING FOR SMITHS at www.davidivens.ca
I am very excited to have arranged for the accomplished Irish Silversmith, Brian Clarke, to come teach in my studio. He will be in Canada two weeks in June 3 -7 and 10-14. In the first week he will teach the skills of anticlastic raising to make a “Ribbon Torc”. Getting this down nails these skills.Then the second week will be forging, either a forged torc or a luna neckpiece. Brian has made reproductions of each and all of these pieces for the Irish National Museum. He is both a wonderful instructor and a master silversmith. These workshops are limited to 6 students each. Each workshop is $800 per week.
My new studio is south facing, with lots of natural light, 12 foot ceilings, and was purpose built. 1600 sq feet. Lastly, there is even a coat rack! It is a wonderful creative space in the Madawaska River Valley near Burnstown, Ontario, or if you lived here long enough “past the ‘Prior on the way to the ‘Frew t’ards the ‘Bogie”, in Springtown Ontario.
[lgc_column grid=”65″ tablet_grid=”65″ mobile_grid=”100″ last=false” ]
The Ribbon Torc
internet trailer1 from Brian Clarke on Vimeo.
[/lgc_column]
[lgc_column grid=”5″ tablet_grid=”5″ mobile_grid=”100″ last=”false”]
[/lgc_column]
[lgc_column grid=”30″ tablet_grid=”30″ mobile_grid=”100″ last=”true”]
Ribbon Torc — Brian Clarke
In this detailed book and DVD, Brian explains his process of making of a gold ribbon torc, using both the tools and technology of the early Iron Age. There is a short trailer from the DVD to the left.
[/lgc_column]
A note on the workshops: First for Clarity
The workshops are master classes for serious students wanting to dedicate their time to in-depth learning of the skill presented.
Week long workshops are intensive classes in advanced areas of study, 6 students, 40 hours of studio instruction, 1 instructor, 1 technician with open studio hours 7am-11pm. This allows as much time as a college course. Classes run from 9 to 5, with a break for lunch. Those who want to learn have an excellent opportunity to work with other interested creative people in an energy charged atmosphere, in a space set up for the task, with the equipment to make your time as productive as possible. I have an extensive library for reference and lunch is provided.