Blacksmith and artists Rick Smith in Sydney, Australia. He was invited by the Artist Blacksmith Association of New South Wales to teach a workshop as a visiting artist in 2015.

Blacksmith and artists Rick Smith in Sydney, Australia. He was invited by the Artist Blacksmith Association of New South Wales to teach a workshop as a visiting artist in 2015.

Rick Smith began exploring blacksmithing when he was thirteen in his family's garage. By 1992 he had completed his MFA and soon was selected for the Penland School of Craft residency. He went on to work as an independent artist for eighteen years, earning accolades in American Craft magazine and other publications. In 1998 Smith was hired at Southern Illinois University Carbondale to replace Professor Brent Kington who was retiring - offering both a BFA and MFA in blacksmithing, SIUC's metals program is the only one of its kind in the world. Smith is known for his research in laminated and forge-welded steel, patterned surface treatments and large scale repoussé in both functional and sculptural applications. Smith has taught at craft schools and institutions all over the US, Europe and and Asia. In 2005 he was awarded an endowment that would aid in his research and also help to ensure the future of formal instruction in blacksmithing as an art form. 

 

International Institutions: Lectures, Workshops, Visiting Artist*

  • Tokyo University of the Arts (Japan)

  • Artist Blacksmith Association of New South Wales (Australia)

  • University of Gothenburg, Steneby (Sweden)

  • Estonia Academy of the Arts (Estonia)

  • HEMO Metal Craft Academy (South Korea)

  • British Artist Blacksmith Association Conference (England)

  • Carlisle College of Design (Scotland)

National Institutions: Lectures, Workshops, Visiting Artist*

  • Penland School of Crafts (North Carolina)

  • Haystack School of Crafts (Maine)

  • Peters Valley Craft Center (New Jersey)

  • California Blacksmith Association (California)

  • Appalachian Center for Crafts (Tennessee)

  • Center for Creative Studies (Michigan)

  • Metal Museum - formerly National Ornamental Metals Museum (Tennessee)

Select Private & Public Collections*

  • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (Texas)

  • Racine Art Museum (Wisconsin)

  • Asheville Art Museum (North Carolina)

  • Metal Museum (formerly National Ornamental Metal Museum. Tennessee)

  • The Mint Museum (North Carolina)

  • Minneapolis Institute of Art (Minnesota)

  • Arkansas Arts Center, Decorative Arts Museum (Arkansas)

  • Penland School of Crafts (North Carolina)

  • John and Robyn Horn Collection

* Please see curriculum vitae for a full list and more details.