Blacksmithing:
BA Honours Artist Blacksmithing
Herefordshire College of Technology and Hereford College of Arts
Introduction
This course thrives on the fact that it recruits committed and ambitious students, nationally and internationally, from a wide range of art based and forged metalwork backgrounds. Artist Blacksmiths are passionate about wanting to pursue and focus their ideas through the creative use of forged and fabricated metal to produce artefacts at the highest level. It provides an unparalleled experience for nurturing and developing Artist Blacksmithing students, which cannot be gained elsewhere within Europe or the U.K.
With a long established reputation for the quality and standards within Blacksmithing, students will contribute to the huge potential and recent surge in interest in contemporary forged metal, through the professional production of artefacts that address areas such as interior or exterior, functional, ornamental or sculptural, public or private, small scale or architectural.
This degree is delivered by Hereford College of Arts, in collaboration with Herefordshire College of Technology. It is validated by the University of Wales.
Entry Requirements
- Students must demonstrate an understanding of the design process, a high level of commitment and curiosity within the field of Blacksmithing
- Minimum age 18
- Successful Portfolio & Interview
- 200 UCAS Tariff Points
- Mature students with related experience
- English as a second language - minimum ELTS 5.0 at interview (and achieving 6.0 by the subsequent June)
Course Content
- Artist Blacksmithing has an approach firmly based in design methodology and visual studies. Over the three years of study there is a developing requirement for the student to bring together and integrate into their personal practice areas such as problem solving and ideas development fully grounding it in sound visual research and experimentation supported by well developed blacksmithing skills, understanding of materials and processes, and above all, critical awareness and judgement leading to the student developing their own personally creative and professional approach to their work.
- Learning practical skills is complemented by experimentation and risktaking, and issues such as sustainability and design for need are confronted throughout the course. The established strength of an integrated approach to professional studies will continue to prepare students for work as self employed Artists Blacksmiths or for employment as designers with the skills to sustain their practice. Uniquely, students have access to dedicated individual workstations within creatively vibrant workshops and design studios based at Hereford College of Arts, along with access to the fantastic forge and fabrication facilities at the National School of Blacksmithing, Rural Craft Centre (the biggest and best metal forging workshops in Europe)
- A key feature of this course is its well established links with Creative Industries and professional makers, with regular marketing and promotional sessions with gallery owners, regional crafts and arts offi cers, which often leads to commissions, exhibitions, sales and valuable professional contacts.
- Students are able to apply for and can successfully gain bursaries from the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths during their study, as well as receiving fi nancial benefi ts from the “live” briefs within the course.
Progression Opportunities
Many graduates start their own professional practice studios and workshops as an artist, designer, sculptor or blacksmith. Graduates have produced major pieces of public artwork and architectural installations, had stands at New Designers, Chelsea Flower Show and Malvern Spring Fair. The knowledge and skills acquired during the course can be applied to a wide range of career opportunities within the creative industries and progression to post graduate studies for higher qualifications and teaching are possible on successful completion of the course.
Key Facts
Herefordshire College of Technology and Hereford College of Arts
Campus: Hereford College of Arts – Whitecross Road, Hereford & Holme Lacy – Rural Crafts Centre
Duration: 3 years
Attendance: Full-time
Course Fees: The Hereford College of Arts fees policy will apply to this course, please contect them on 01432 273359 for details.
Application: UCAS application.
Contact: Undergraduate Enquiries
Tel: 01432 845327
enquiries@hct.ac.uk
You can find blacksmiths in the UK with The National Directory of Blacksmiths
