How do I submit my 150mmChallengeAus piece?
Let us know you intend to participate in the 2025 challenge by registering here.
Submissions can be posted or dropped off to Waterside Metal Art at 60 Maribyrnong St, Footscray, Victoria, 3011. Please let us know when to expect posted submissions and if dropping off please call in advance to ensure the studio is open.
Submissions are due by Friday 9 May 2025.
All submitted work must be accompanied by an entrant submission form. This can be provided with the work by printing and completing this form (MS Word doc) or electronically via this googleform.
This information will be used as part of the exhibition catalogue and to accompany the artwork. For multiple entries please submit a separate form for each entry.
There is no entry fee however the artist will be responsible for any postage costs associated with ensuring submissions arrive by the submission deadline.
What are the requirements of each category?
All submissions must be:
crafted specifically for the 150mmChallengeAus2025
able to stand unsupported unless specifically designed to be displayed hung
In addition, each category has specific requirements as follows:
Category 1: The Original
The original 150mmChallengeAus! Your submission must be made from one 150mm piece of 20mm mild steel square bar AND one 150mm piece of 12mm copper round bar and be created using traditional forging techniques only (forge welding, forged rivets only etc.). Please do not include any other materials.
Category 2: The 150mm Cube
This new category takes the 150mmChallenge concept in a new direction. Your submission must be a maximum of 150mm high, 150mm wide and 150mm long. View a diagram of these maximum size parameters here. It can be smaller but not larger than this size. You can use any form of metal and metalsmithing technique to create your sculpture, object or piece of jewellery.
Will my entry be exhibited?
All submissions will be exhibited at the festival and in the virtual gallery on blacksmithsfestival.com
How does the silent auction work?
Each artwork will be displayed with a corresponding bid sheet which includes the reserve price as the starting bid. People can then place bids with minimum increments of $5 or more.
Bidding opens at 10:00 am Saturday, 17 May 2025
Bidding closes at 2:00 pm Sunday, 18 May 2025
No additional bids may be placed once the auction is declared closed. The highest qualifying bid wins the item. The winning bidders will be called after 2:00 pm to pay and collect the artwork on Sunday.
90% of the final price goes directly to the artist. The Blacksmiths Festival Association takes a 10% commission towards the cost of the festival and exhibition.
What happens if my entry does not get sold?
Unsold items can be collected at the end of the final day of the Festival or from Waterside Metal Art immediately following the event. Submissions remain the property of the artist unless sold or not collected within four weeks of the festival. On request, the Blacksmiths Festival Association will return via standard post any unsold/not collected Australian-based works following the exhibition however the entrant is responsible for ensuring a correct postal address is provided with each submission.
Can I submit multiple entries?
A maximum of 2 items in each category will be accepted from an individual artist. Please submit a separate entry form with each piece.
How much should I price my submission for?
Pricing is very individual and will depend on a number of factors. Submission in the 2022 Challenge sold from between $180 and >$1000. Please contact us at 150ChallengeAus@blacksmithsfestival.com if you need assistance setting a reserve price for your submission.
How do I write an artists statement?
Writing an artist statement can be a creative and reflective process that helps you articulate the themes, motivations, and techniques behind your artwork.
Here’s a few steps to help you write your own:
Introduce Yourself: Start with a brief introduction of who you are as an artist/blacksmith. Include your name and perhaps a sentence about your background, where you forge or what drives your creative process or interest in blacksmithing.
Describe Your 150mmChallengeAus submission: Discuss the overarching themes or concepts that inspire your work. What ideas did you explore?
Medium, techniques or process: Explain the materials and techniques you use to create your piece including any unique methods or approaches you used or anything that influenced your creative decisions.
Highlight any goals and objectives: What do you aim to achieve through your art? Is there a message you want to convey or an impact you hope to make on your audience? Did you learn anything while making it? Did creating it inspire any ideas for future projects?
Tips:
Keep it clear and concise – it doesn’t need to be long or use overly complex language.
Write in the first person
Be authentic and let it reflect your personality
Write a first draft freely without worrying about getting it perfect. Once you have your ideas you can refine the writing
Show your statement to a friends, or fellow blacksmiths for feedback. They can provide valuable insights and help you refine your statement.
Where did the 150mmChallengeAus concept come from?
Read about the history of the 150mmChallengeAus here.
Where can I view past entries for inspiration?
View the 2021 virtual gallery here.
View the 2022 virtual gallery here.
Can I chat with someone about the challenge?
Still have questions? Please email 150mmChallengeAus@blacksmithsfestival.com if you have any questions about the challenge.
We look forward to receiving your submissions!