Name: Weeklong Iron Intensive
Start: 2021-06-21T11:00:00-04:00
End: 2021-06-26T19:00:00-04:00
Location: Carrie Blast Furnaces

June 21, 2021

Weeklong Iron Intensive

June 21, 2021 @ 11:00 am - June 26, 2021 @ 7:00 pm

Event Navigation

(Six-day workshop)
Monday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Visiting Artist Carl Billingsley

Buy tickets

multiple workshop participants transfer molten iron from the bull ladle to hand ladles

artist tilt a large bull ladle during the Festival of Combustion iron pour

Rivers of steel artists pour molten iron from a hand ladle

Rivers of Steel is excited to welcome public sculptor and professor emeritus Carl Billingsley as visiting artist for this six-day workshop in iron casting. The workshop features extended shop time onsite at the Carrie Blast Furnaces and in-depth instruction / assistance catered to the needs of each individual. Participants will have the chance to learn and experiment with multiple pattern-making materials and create multiple large and complex multi-part sand molds.

Prior experience or Intro to Iron Casting is recommended. Registration includes access to the Carrie Furnaces foundry daily between 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and the ultimate experience of participating in an iron pour from a coke fired cupola—just like the historic furnaces onsite!

All items for this workshop will be cast on Saturday, June 26, 11 – 7 p.m. Cooled castings can be picked up on Sunday, June 27 between 10 a.m. – 3 .p.m.

Weeklong Iron Intensive workshops include up to 400 lbs. of sand and corresponding chemical, waste removal and related foundry consumables. Sand and chemical needs beyond this allotted amount are available for $.30/lb. Any additional material fees must be paid upon pick up of the final castings at the end of the workshop period.

About the Visiting Artist

Carl Billingsley is a sculptor who primarily works in cast metal, stone, wood, and steel. Carl’s work is impressive in size and monolithic in style. He is one of the grandmasters of iron who brought iron artwork to the art world in the United States.

Hours & Admission*

This program is offered twice in 2021 on the following dates: June 21 – 26 and September 13 – 18 from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

General Admission

$500

Buy tickets

Location & Directions

The Carrie Blast Furnaces are located in Swissvale and Rankin, PA in the Monongahela River Valley. The entrance to the Carrie Furnaces is located at Carrie Furnace Boulevard, Rankin, PA 15104.

Get DirectionsGet Directions

What to Know Before You Go

As a former industrial site, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable visit.

What to wear: Face masks are required to be worn for the duration of your visit for all guests.The majority of each tour is outside; please dress for the weather. Additionally, the ground is uneven—sensible shoes are a must. Sneakers or boots are recommended. Open-toed shoes and high heels are prohibited.
Maintain social distance: Signage has been placed throughout the site reminding you to maintain a safe distance of six feet from others.
Restrooms & concessions: The rawness of the site is certainly part of its charm. However, that rawness also limits the creature comforts many of us are accustomed to, like running water. Portable bathrooms, hand washing stations and hand sanitizer are available. Food amenities are not available (with some exceptions, such as food trucks at festivals).
Photography: Photography is permitted. For safety reasons, videography and drones are prohibited.
Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available, but the grounds covered during tours are not wheelchair accessible.
Liability: By purchasing admission tickets, all visitors consent to the terms of our liability waiver and consent to be photographed (PDF).
Admission: Site access is limited to guided tours, workshops, and events. Unless otherwise noted, all admissions are ticketed.
Location: The entrance to the Carrie Furnaces is located at Carrie Furnace Boulevard, Rankin, PA 15104.

Thank you for following these guidelines. We wish you to have the best visit possible, and appreciate your patience as we continue to improve the visitor experience.