Fleming College: Learn | Belong | Become

Program Highlights

The Artist Blacksmith program  teaches students to design, draw and shape three-dimensional metal works of art using traditional and contemporary tools, materials and processes. In a fully-equipped coal and propane forge studio, students will immerse themselves in the world of blacksmithing. A team of instructors, who are practicing artists will guide students through the process and exploration of metal sculpture. Students will learn studio safety, tool making, and how to form and manipulate metal to create three-dimensional sculptures, architectural details and fixtures, furnishings and utensils. Using the history of blacksmithing as an influence, and hands-on instruction, students will acquire the skills required to present ideas to potential clients and shape those ideas into a variety of metal forms.

Unique in Canada, this 15-week intensive program is equivalent to two semesters of full-time studies. Courses in design, drawing, history, marketing, basic and advanced blacksmithing along with quality studio time provide a foundation for developing  a strong personal portfolio.

Word from the Workplace

"For a person my age (56) intending to start a new career as a blacksmith, with some familiarity, but little artistic background in blacksmithing, the course at Fleming College was a godsend. It taught me the basics of ironwork, introduced me to design and drawing and exposed me to the possibilities. I gained the tools and confidence to go home and start making a living as both a general and an artistic blacksmith in my own shop."

David Olmstead, Program Graduate
Studio Owner, New Brunswick

Why Choose Fleming?

What it Takes to Succeed

• an interest in exploring blacksmithing as a means of artistic expression
• ongoing exploration of your own creativity
• desire to create and work with hot metals
• manual dexterity and physical capability of lifting and working with heavy iron materials
• ability to commit to intensive format
• willingness to learn from others

Career Opportunities

•  You have started a life-long learning experience in the discipline of the artist blacksmith, with endless options in your pursuit of a career in this field.
• This program will appeal to the serious student who is seeking to build an excellent foundation portfolio of work before pursuing further studies, to apply their learning to another medium, or to explore apprenticeship, freelance, or teaching career options.

Minimum Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

• 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12) 

When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted.

Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.

Related Programs

This 15-week certificate can be applied toward the Visual and Creative Arts Diploma - Specialist option.

Additional Costs

There will be an additional expense of approximately $760 for tools and mandatory safety equipment in addition to the material fee included in the tuition.

University Transfer Agreements

• Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Applied Design	47.50
Art History VI: The History of Metals	47.50
Blacksmithing - Advanced	237.50
Blacksmithing - Basic	190.00
Design - Artist Blacksmith	47.50
Drawing - Artist Blacksmith	47.50
Marketing/Portfolio Development	47.50

Semester 1

Applied Design

Course Number: ARTS0007

In this course, students will apply their existing knowledge of the elements and principles of design to their work in one specific medium. Students will learn the language of shop drawing, how to generate different views to help them discover their own design ideas, and think three-dimensionally to enable them to work out resolutions to problems before fabricating the article. Students will work with the theories, tables, scales, layouts, blueprint reading, pricing structures, etc. of their particular medium. This course also includes some basic rendering techniques (pencil crayons, markers) to enable students to produce drawings for clients and competitions. Students will experience the full design process, being able to use thumbnails, concept development, details, variations, elevations, renderings, and necessary layout and planning, right through to cost estimation, making it possible for them to be efficient and effective in their use of time and materials.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Art History VI: The History of Metals

Course Number: ARTS0018

This survey course provides an introduction to the major periods and styles of metal art history, from 3500 BC to modern times. It traces developments of metal as an art form, from Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance periods, through the prolific influence of the Gothic period, and the Art Nouveau arts and crafts movement. The work of Jean TiJou, Yellin, Edgar Brandt, William Moris and ideas of John Ruskin will be studied, as well as the modern blacksmiths' influence of Frances Whitaker and Diago Giacometti. The course provides an important frame of reference for recognizing the components and various periods and styles of iron and companion metals, and how they enhance architecture. Using a non-traditional format, special emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of the key components, styles, and periods through application, experimentation and integration of the ideas into the student's own work.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Blacksmithing - Advanced

Course Number: ARTS0968

This course builds on basic blacksmithing procedures from managing a forge fire, to drawing out and welding steel, tool making, tempering and forge welding. Students will have ample opportunity to practice techniques needed to create both traditional and original sculptural items, and will also be introduced to the unique world of iron sculptures and yard art. Students will learn the more advanced forging techniques of twists, scrolls and jigs, as well as welding and cutting. They will also be shown the use of a plasma cutting machine and the hot carving of steel. Time will also be spent discussing how to set up an economical shop, purchase stock and maintain equipment.

Units: 237.50
Hours: 237.50

Blacksmithing - Basic

Course Number: ARTS0040

This course covers basic blacksmithing procedures from managing a forge fire, to drawing out and welding steel. Instruction will also include tool making, tempering and forge welding. Students will have ample opportunity to practice techniques needed to create both traditional and original sculptural items. Students will also be introduced to the unique world of iron sculptures. Students will learn the more advanced forging techniques of twists, scrolls and jigs, as well as welding and cutting. They will also be shown the use of a plasma cutting machine and the hot carving of steel. Time will also be spent discussing how to set up an economical shop, purchase stock and maintain equipment.

Units: 190.00
Hours: 190.00

Design - Artist Blacksmith

Course Number: ARTS0970

This studio-based course will introduce students to the basic design process as applied to forged metal objects. Line, texture, symmetry, balance, and proportion will be explored in their relation to the size, location and / or function of an object when it is being designed. Students will research, present and critique the work of artist-blacksmiths from specific eras, examining style and the use of technology.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Drawing - Artist Blacksmith

Course Number: ARTS0969

It is important that the artist blacksmith is able to visualize ideas, prepare design proposals and create scaled shop drawings for production purposes. This course gives students a solid foundation in drawing techniques and processes while they become familiar with the elements of design. Using a variety of tools and surfaces, students will produce both representational and concept drawings. Linear perspective and basic composition including spiral and scroll design will be addressed. Several natural and manufactured subjects will be studied including the human figure, giving students a source of ideas and references for the program.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Marketing/Portfolio Development

Course Number: MKTG0053

Practicing artists can choose from many different paths to advance their personal and artistic goals. This course examines the ways in which artists can assess choices in further education, financing and operating their own studio, presenting themselves, and promoting and marketing their work. Students will analyze the various aspects of developing a portfolio, photographing and editing quality images for promotion and documentation, and writing an artist's statement, cv, cover letters, and promotional materials. They will research and evaluate the services of trade/support organizations, marketing venues, the process for grant applications, artists residencies and internships. Resources for learning the issues in successfully operating a studio, along with the business practices and legal implications of these operations will also be investigated. Students will summarize their personal goals to establish their own specific set of options for continuing their artist's practices. In class sessions will involve research, writing, presentation, and critical discussion.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50