Come celebrate the conclusion of our first, one week workshop during our open house party and sculpture viewing! On May 11th, the results of our “Hot Rivets: A Collaborative Sculpture” workshop taught by visiting instructor Steve Howell will be on display on the grounds of CMA. The sculpture is inspired by the industrial heritage of Johnstown and created using the very same iron working techniques this influential city was built upon. The party starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 11th and goes till dark! Please join us for a fun and informal celebration, hor d’oeuvres will be provided and feel free to BYOB!
Steve Howell
Steve has been immersed in industrial arts all his life. He is currently the director of production at the Sahale fabrication shop in Seattle, Washington.
Steve’s deep personal interest in metal fabrication bore fruit in 2008, when he succeeded in recreating a complete set of tools and processes for reintroducing the lost art of structural hot riveting. His background in steel fabrication and testing includes offshore welding in the Gulf of Mexico, quality control and inspection of components for the B-2 Stealth Bomber, the F-22 fighter, and Abrams tanks.
Instagram @ballardforge
Workshop Description
Students will be creating a collaborative sculpture combining forged elements, structural steel shapes, and riveted joinery to break through barriers of perception and monotony. The riveting technique allows a designer to leverage ideas where one rivet is not a big deal, but six million will get you a monument.
Prior forging skills are highly recommended. The class will focus on forged sculptural elements, layout on structural steel shapes, and then will look at creative ways to join the pieces utilizing pneumatic and hydraulic riveting techniques with presses Steve will bring. Come be a part of creating a large-scale sculpture for the grounds at CMA.
This is a unique opportunity to work in the same fashion things were built in Johnstown, PA when steel construction did not involve welders. Be immersed in the city that was home to one of the most significant steel mills in the country and work in the fashion it was built. If you’re interested in industrial forging, structural material, and hot riveted joinery, this is the workshop for you, hosted in one of the most inspirational settings for that style of work.
Thank you, hope to see you there!
