Calling Oregon Blacksmiths to the 2008 Oregon State Fair

Calling all Oregon Blacksmiths to the Oregon State Fair

The Artisan Village at the Oregon State Fair is looking for a few good blacksmiths to demonstrate at the 2008 Oregon State Fair, August 22 through September1. Last year, Nick Marcelja was our only representative; he worked all eleven days. While we applaud his contribution and stamina, we would like to see wider representation of the area’s blacksmithing community.

For a good look at the 2007 Artisan Village, you can go to http://www.willametteartcenter.com/artvill2007.php and see for yourself. Besides Nick, there were potters, woodcarvers of several different kinds, a glassblower, leatherworkers, beadworkers, painters, and more. A wide variety of live music could be heard from far away (we were there.).

The Artisan Village at the State Fair is now managed by a group called Friends of the Visual Arts. 2007 was very successful. Gone are the days of arm-wrestling with the State Fair Board over what you can and can’t do at your space in the Artisan Village area; this is truly a user-friendly group. You can sell your merchandise, promote your organization, solicit new members, demonstrate, display, etc.

The Friends of the Visual Arts also operate a year round facility on the Fairgrounds, called the Willamette Art Center. There are ongoing classes and other events. Their core group consists mostly of potters, but they are hoping to expand their class offerings. There are possibilities for a permanent blacksmithing site, with classes, hammer-ins, and more, to explore here. For a look at the Willamette Art Center, go to http://www.willametteartcenter.com. They’re already talking with Chemeketa College about setting up a Hot Glass program—there would be no problem adding a blacksmith’s forge, coal or gas.

The person to contact would be Jeanine Renne; she is the president of the Friends of the Visual Arts. Her email address: artvillage@friendsofvisarts.org.

I encourage you to investigate and participate. Thanks. Dick Naven