collaborative Forging masterclass - One Place Left!
Join an extraordinary team of blacksmiths to create a lasting public artwork.
Be part of a five-day intensive led by celebrated Canadian blacksmith and artist Sandra Dunn. Sandra will be joined by Team Leaders Will Maguire, Matthew Mewburn, and Annie Cole Arthur, who will support and guide the Masterclass group as they collaboratively forge a permanent outdoor contemplative seat in memory of Cr Sarah Carter, to be installed on the festival site.
Work shoulder-to-shoulder with 13 local and international 'smiths, sharing techniques, exploring new ideas, and pushing the boundaries of your craft—all while contributing to a powerful piece of public art.
What You'll Create
A sculptural contemplative seat inspired by the site’s industrial heritage, riverside setting, and the life and personality of Cr Sarah Carter. The seat’s forged steel form echoes a railway spur line that twists skyward into a flock of birds, supported by wooden slats evoking a nest—welcoming, protective, and reflective. Select plants will be integrated to gently separate the bench from the footpath, creating a quiet space for contemplation by the Maribyrnong River.
Why Join?
This masterclass is designed for intermediate to advanced blacksmiths seeking to grow their practice through collaboration, creativity, and hands-on making alongside some of Australia’s most respected 'smiths. It’s a rare chance to contribute to something bigger than yourself—a lasting sculptural public seating shaped by many hands and shared vision.
The opportunity
This masterclass is designed for blacksmiths with intermediate to advanced skills looking to enhance their craft through teamwork, creativity, and working closely with some of Australia's most talented 'smiths.
Dates: 14–18 May 2025
Location: 60 Maribyrnong Street, Footscray, Melbourne, Victoria
Enrolment Fee: $850
Places Available: Only one spot remains—don’t miss your chance to join this incredible team.
🔨 Submit your Expression of Interest today!
Collaborative forging team projects
at the 2019 and 2022 Blacksmiths festivals
See below for a brief summary and gallery of past projects.
2022 Team led by Will Maguire forging a cantilever seat
In May 2022 Will Maguire led a collaborative sculptural project in the lead up to and throughout the Blacksmiths Festival in Footscray, Melbourne, Victoria. The sculptural cantilever seat was constructed from reclaimed timber and steel from the old Footscray Wharf. The wharf was being reconstructed and the festival sculpture was later installed when the new wharf was finished. The sculpture now sits adjacent to the festival site and become part of the public art landscape along the Maribyrnong River.
Nine participants worked as part of three teams of three blacksmiths, with Australia’s own Ben Beames, Matt Mewburn and Woody Blower as forging team leaders. This was a unique experience, working alongside some of the most exciting smiths in the country, each team completing elements of the sculpture that will come together as one piece at the end of the event.
Participating Blacksmiths: Will Maguire (Project Leader) - NSW, Matt Mewburn (Team Leader) - NSW, Ben Beames (Team Leader) - TAS, Woody Blower (Team Leader) - NSW, Alex Wixted - NSW, Alice Garret - VIC, Colin Dray - NSW, Dan O'Toole - TAS, Dara Carey Quilty - VIC, Denise Axelsen - QLD, Elliott Franklin-Browne - NSW, Kieran Gleeson - VIC, Mark Rochlitz - NSW, Robbie Alderson - VIC
2019 Team led by Jake James forging ‘Many Hands‘ sculpture
In 2019 the collaborative sculpture project was designed and directed by Jake James, from Vancouver Island, Canada. The sculpture, “Many Hands” was forged at the Blacksmiths Festival in April over a period of 4 days by three striking teams involving 12 blacksmiths from Australia, Canada and the USA.
The sculpture’s design relates directly to the municipality, incorporating three key elements:
Leaves – these components form the extremity of the work and reflect the natural environment, as it was, and as it exists today, transformed by human activity.
Sun – forms a ring around the centre and symbolises a new dawn of hope for all who have arrived in the area.
Three joined hands – form the core of the sculpture and speak to the diversity of people that have lived and worked together to create the rich cultural landscape that epitomises Footscray.
Participating Blacksmiths: Jake James (Project Leader) – Canada, Will Maguire (Team Leader) - NSW, Pete Mattila (Team Leader) – TAS, Ben Beames (Team Leader) - TAS, Robbie Alderson – VIC, Craig Thorpe – VIC, David Graham – VIC, Elizabeth Belz – USA, Matt Mewburn - NSW, Matthew Pither – QLD, Michael Clarkson – NSW, Michael Gsell – VIC, Peter Birchall – NSW, Willie Rennison - NSW