Monday, March 13, 2006

tricks & techniques of the anvil

press release

for immediate release - March 12, 2006

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The Jacksonville Center in Floyd, VA will host a traditional “Hammer-In” in partnership with The Old Dominion Blacksmith Association on Sunday, March 19, 2006 from noon to 4:00pm.

A “Hammer In” is a traditional educational and networking event for members and those interested in blacksmithing.

The Old Dominion Blacksmith Association (ODBSA) is an affiliate of the Artist Blacksmith Association of North American (ABANA) and covers the southwest Virginia territory. www.odbsa.com.

Dale Morse, Educational Director for ODBSA and owner of Clay Hill Forge in Charlottesville, VA will conduct the demonstration/lesson in the Center’s blacksmith studio. Entitled "Tricks and Techniques of the Anvil", the event is a presentation to the Association. The Association will also conduct its traditional “Iron in the Hat” raffle and tailgate sales.

Dale Morse has been blacksmithing since the age of nine with early training in the forges of Booker T. Washington National Monument in Franklin County, Virginia where he and his family exhibited historically accurate demonstrations of every day life in a rural 1860’s era tobacco plantation. He has studied under Manfred Bredhol of the Vulkanschmeide in Aachen, Germany, Gabrielle Curtolo in Venice, Italy and under Joseph Stokes of Shropshire, England. www.clayhillforge.com

Admission is free, but visitors will be required to register near the forge and sign a Waiver of Liability form. Due to liability and safety issues, anyone under 18 year old must be accompanied by his/or her parent or guardian, and everyone must bring and wear safety glasses.

The Hospitality Committee of the Jacksonville Center will provide a lunch of soup and sandwiches during the event. Please RSVP (540) 745-2784.

The Jacksonville Center for the Arts is located on Route 8 in Floyd, Va, about half a mile south of the traffic light. The Jacksonville Center is a member-based, charitable nonprofit cultural arts center that houses a cultural business incubator, art galleries, a retail shop, a large community room available for short term rentals, and a variety of classes designed for both the regional community as well as the visiting public.

The Jacksonville Center is open Mon.- Fri. 9am-5pm, Sat. 10am-5pm and Sun. 12noon-5pm from spring to autumn. For more information, call 540-745-2784, or visit www.jacksonvillecenter.org.