Featured Artist: Blacksmith Artist Stephen Chilingirian

Stephen Chilingirian Just finished an amazing commissioned sculpture. It was a collaboration with Don Blackwell who is a master wood carver. The title of the piece is called The Guardians.

All the Ivy and vines are hand forged - this has to be explained because most people think it is real Ivy. The unveiling of the sculpture was December 14, 2013 with a great turn out. Don and Stephen are in the process of a second sculpture also with wood and Ivy vines that will be equally if not more stunning!

Stephen is also working on a series of Custom bottle openers and will be posting them on his website and Linkedin page soon.
 
Stephen J. Chilingirian is a self-taught, thought provoking blacksmith Artist. Stephen earned his Bachelors Degree in Astrophysics from the University of California, Berkeley, an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill California, a Master of Technology Certification from Harley Davidson Motor Company, and has received his Technician Certification from Toyota Motor Co. He owned a 100% organic cattle ranch in Colorado where he invented many useful tools for the equine industry. That was where his artistic side emerged.

Stephen still studies Astronomical Science, through a 16" Dobsonian telescope that he built himself and still builds an occasional one-of-a- kind Custom Motorcycle, including, but not limited to, The East Carolina University Pirate Chopper. His passion however, lies in art and creating art where he is guided by nature and the complex creations of "The Everything" throughout the Universe. Stephen uses traditional blacksmith techniques coupled with mathematical, musical and scientific formulas which he  believes are the keys to unlocking the secrets of the Universe as we know it.

Stephen started his business The Art of Steeling at the beginning of 2005 and moved to Zirconia, NC in
September 2007.

In June 2012 Stephen was asked to teach blacksmith artistry at Camp Arrowhead for Boys in Tuxedo, NC

Stephen is a member of several art guilds and organizations including, Foothills of the Carolina's Blacksmith Guild, Tri State Sculptors Organization, Mountain Sculptors Organization and the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America.

2012 Fire on the Mountain Blacksmithing Festival today in Spruce Pine

April 28 - Penland School of Crafts and Spruce Pine Main Street  present the  2012 Fire on the Mountain Blacksmithing Festival in Downtown Spruce Pine. Blacksmithing has deep roots in Western North Carolina, and the Fire on the Mountain Festival will both honor and celebrate its history and broaden awareness of quality contemporary ironwork.

This festival is a great event for families, kids, artists, and metalworkers, featuring live demonstrations, a hands-on tent, iron work and tools for sale, professional networking opportunities, a bunch of delicious local snack options, and much more.This year's featured master blacksmith is Nol Putnam. Other featured demonstrators at the festival include current Penland instructor April Franklin and recent iron studio coordinator Mike Chmielewski.

Click here for more information. 

A Master Blacksmithing Lecture at Penland

And if you just can't get enough iron down in town on Saturday, join us after for a lecture by featured master blacksmith Nol Putnam in Northlight Auditorium at Penland School, at 8:15pm.

Nol Putnam opened his first forge in 1973. He taught himself the craft with the help of books, stubbornness, and a mentor. Starting in the early 1980s he undertook large architectural commissions - gates, balconies, and curved handrails. While he still does a few commissions, his work since 2001 has largely been sculptural, ranging in size from the palm of the hand to architectural scale.