150mm Challenge AUS

take the challenge!

As part of the Blacksmiths Festival 2025, the Blacksmith Festival Association (BFA) of Footscray Australia will be calling out to metal artists and blacksmiths from around the world to participate in the #150mmChallengeAUS!

The success of the 2022 #150mmChallengeAUS and 2021 #150mmChallengeAUS was blinding. We couldn’t be more impressed, proud, and inspired by what the community produced!

We were overwhelmed by the success of the auction and the public support and interest in the works, with most be snapped up by the end of the Festival on Sunday.

Forging on we’re striking while the metal is hot and looking forward to putting on another show of blacksmithing talent at the 2025 Festival.

This challenge follows on from the #150mmchallenge originating from a blacksmithing student assignment set by Lecturer Ambrose Burne at Hereford College of Arts (Hereford, UK) which became a viral social media sensation. Blacksmiths around the world have explored the creative limits of 150mm of 20mm mild steel square bar showcasing the breadth of ideas, perspectives, and approaches to the material and process.

To expand upon the challenge the BFA added a 150mm piece of 12.7mm copper round bar to the 20mm steel square bar. This exciting addition will open new doors of expression for metal artists.

In 2025 we’ll be adding a new category to the challenge - watch this space - we can’t wait to fill you in on all the details!