Saturday, August 26, 2023

Putting a forged bottle opener to work.

More Functional Metal Arts

While some of our metal arts workshops are designed around crafting a specific object, such as the Doodle Bowl Experience, others, including the Aluminum Casting Session and the Blacksmithing Basics, allow for more creativity. And more often that not, when considering what they'd like to make, participants opt to create an item that is both functional and aesthetic.

We're excited to announce a new workshop that blends the social element of the Doodle Bowl Experience with the marriage of form and function—the Hot Metal Happy Hour: Forged Bottle Openers blacksmithing session. Start hammering and crack open a cold one! No prior experience is needed.

There is also a three-day Bladesmithing workshop this September, along with the three-day Sculptural Aluminum Casting class. Both offer opportunities to refine your metal arts practice.

And don't miss out on the Rebellious Spirits Day Trip—just a few seats are left! This daylong adventure explores heritage sites and whiskey distilleries in Allegheny and Washington Counties before wrapping up the day with a mixology lesson.

Until next time—cheers!

FEATURED PROGRAM

Hot Metal Happy Hour—Forged Bottle Openers

Thursday, September 28, 5:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Join us for a Hot Metal Happy Hour at the Carrie Blast Furnaces.

This three-hour, hands-on event is an excellent introduction to blacksmithing. Work with hot steel to create your own custom bottle opener! In the process, you'll learn basic blacksmithing techniques including slitting, drifting, punching, bending, and more. At the end of the session, put your handiwork to the test when you crack open an ice-cold bottled beverage to toast your accomplishment!

SPECIAL PROGRAM

Rebellious Spirits Day Trip

Sunday, September 24, 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Join Rivers of Steel for a daylong adventure that expertly blends the region's whiskey and history, served up with an interactive cherry on top. Your journey begins at the Pump House, where you'll leave your car and cares behind as you shuttle through time and space to become immersed in all things related to the Whiskey Rebellion.



This tours-and-tastings experience includes visits to the Whiskey Rebellion Visitors Center and three Washington County distilleries, paired with lunch and outings to three additional heritage sites related to our nation's first test to its fledgling democracy.

METAL ARTS WORKSHOP

The Doodle Bowl Experience

Thursday, August 31, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces

Not your typical "sip and paint" party, this workshop has quickly become one of Rivers of Steel's most in-demand programs. With guidance from Rivers of Steel's metal arts team, you'll design and carve a bowl that is cast in solid aluminum. Take home your new, functional work of art at the end of the night. No experience is needed—just bring your creativity, a friend, and your own beverage!

METAL ARTS WORKSHOP

Aluminum Casting Session

Monday, September 11, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces

This is your chance to create a unique work of art from aluminum. Using everyday materials, you'll create a one-sided design in resin-bonded sand. While your mold sets, you'll get a brief tour of the Carrie Furnaces before returning to watch as Rivers of Steel's foundry crew casts your artwork from molten metal. It's a great introduction to the metal-casting process—no experience necessary!

METAL ARTS WORKSHOP

Sculptural Aluminum Casting

A three-day workshop, September 12 – 14, 4:00 – 8:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces

Learn to cast aluminum in three dimensions! This workshop introduces the process used to create three-dimensional sculptural forms in cast aluminum—patternmaking, mold-making and casting. Create small- to medium-sized castings and discuss various surface treatments and finishing options. Bring your imagination!

BLACKSMITHING WORKSHOP

Bladesmithing 1

A three-day workshop, September 18 – 20, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces

Spend some real time with the forge! Focused on forging techniques, this three-day workshop features the instruction and extended shop time needed to produce a sharp-edged tool made from high-carbon steel. Learn the fundamental skills required to forge a blacksmithing knife with scroll handle from a single piece of steel. After three sessions, you'll leave with your very own hand-forged knife!

THINGS TO DO IN THE RIVERS OF STEEL NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

Battle of Homestead Foundation presents the 1948 Donora Smog Disaster – 75th Anniversary

Tuesday, September 26, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m., Online Event

This 90-minute program, presented by the Battle of Homestead Foundation featuring Brian Charlton of the Donora Historical Society and Smog Museum, explores the events leading up to the October 1948 onset of intense smog that settled over the town of Donora, Pennsylvania, a Monongahela River mill town 24 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The toxic air conditions killed 20 people and caused severe respiratory problems for 6,000 of the 14,000 people living in the town. 

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