Explore the industrial arts through hands-on forging, casting, and metalworking experiences at the historic Carrie Blast Furnaces. Whether you’re shaping hot steel, carving molds, or participating in a full iron pour, each workshop connects you to the region’s steelmaking legacy in a creative, unforgettable way.
Metal Arts
Create with Fire, Metal, and Imagination
Our Metal Arts Workshops are designed for all experience levels. Led by working blacksmiths, bladesmiths, and foundry professionals, each session blends practical instruction with the inspiration of one of the nation’s most significant industrial heritage sites.
With every workshop, you’ll learn real techniques, work with professional tools, and create your own finished piece to take home.
Blacksmithing Basics
Perfect for beginners or anyone curious about metalworking. These introductory workshops teach fundamental forging techniques while you create functional or decorative pieces.
Learn to heat, hammer, shape, twist, and taper steel using traditional tools and methods.
Intermediate Blacksmithing
For those ready to build on foundational skills, these workshops introduce more complex forging techniques, refined shaping, and precision finishing.
Aluminum Casting
Accessible, creative, and beginner-friendly, these workshops introduce participants to the process of casting molten aluminum into sculptural or functional forms.
Participants prepare their molds, watch the furnace in action, and pour their own aluminum castings.
Iron Casting
Our most immersive metal arts experiences. These programs explore the full cycle of preparing, tapping, and pouring molten iron using a traditional cupola furnace.
These sessions are ideal for artists, students, and experienced makers looking for a serious foundry experience. Curious beginners are also welcome to apply.
Learn more about team building
Transformative experiences are at the core of Rivers of Steel’s mission. Plan an event for your team that encourages them to discover new perspectives and connect with one another in fresh ways.
