Saturday, March 23, 2024

The crew of the first Intercollegiate Iron Pour.

Collaborations are part of Rivers of Steel's organizational DNA. Quite simply, it's how we work best. Today's features highlight the spirit of working together in so many ways!

Our featured story today takes a look at last weekend's Intercollegiate Iron Pour, an event designed to bring students together to forge lifelong connections in the metal arts community. All told, it was an amazing success for a first-time venture, but it couldn't have been done without the support of our friends! Read on to learn more about this inaugural event.

We're also excited to share an opportunity offered by our longtime collaborators at The Frick Pittsburgh. Their Landscape and Environment program invites audiences to explore the relationships between vistas, both artistic and actual—in paintings, on their campus, and at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. Be sure to check out this unique offering coming up in April.

You know, even many of our own programs began as collaborations before they became official offerings from Rivers of Steel. Jared Ondovchik provided blacksmithing demonstrations for years at our events before we were able to offer workshops by him like the upcoming Forged Bottle Openers and Bladesmithing 1 sessions. Even our Photo Safaris have a creative connections origin story.

Of course, we're always looking for ways to help shine a spotlight on the work of our community partners throughout the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. Today, we invite you to volunteer with Tree Pittsburgh or take the opportunity to learn about Lewis and Clark with the Bradford House Historical Association.

And it shouldn't go without being said—you, our readers, are our most valued partners! Thank you for your willingness to explore more opportunities with and through Rivers of Steel. Your participation makes this all possible!

Carol Penelope Lambert works with five students to pour iron during last Saturday’s inaugural Intercollegiate Iron Pour at the Carrie Blast Furnaces.

RIVERS OF STEEL NEWS

The Inaugural Intercollegiate Iron Pour

Last week, Rivers of Steel launched a new program to engage university students in the metal-casting process. Contributing writer Lynne Squilla chatted with the program's participants and organizers to share the story of this unique and successful event at the Carrie Blast Furnaces.

DAY TRIP WITH THE FRICK PITTSBURGH

Full-Day Program: Landscape and Environment

Saturday, April 20, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The Frick Pittsburgh and the Carrie Blast Furnaces

Join Rivers of Steel and The Frick Pittsburgh for a collaborative program that ventures from Clayton (the historic home of Henry Clay Frick) and The Frick Art Museum to the Carrie Blast Furnaces as you examine both artistic and actual landscapes. The program is inspired by—and includes a visit to—The Frick's soon-to-be-unveiled exhibition, Vermeer, Monet, Rembrandt: Forging the Frick Collections in Pittsburgh & New York.

FEATURED WORKSHOP

Hot Metal Happy Hour: Forged Bottle Openers

Friday, April 5, 2024, 5:30 – 9:00 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces

Join us for a Hot Metal Happy Hour at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. This three-and-a-half-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!

BLACKSMITHING WORKSHOP

Bladesmithing 1

April 9 – 11, 2024, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces

Create your own blade at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. This three-day workshop features extended shop time and instruction, focusing on the forging techniques needed to produce sharp-edged tools of high-carbon steel. Learn the fundamental skills required to forge a blacksmithing knife with scroll handle from a single piece of steel!

PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION

Photo Safari

Sunday, April 14, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces

Choose your own adventure on this photo safari! The Carrie Furnaces are undoubtedly a photographer’s muse. The form and texture of the structures cater to seasonal scenes, and the interplay of light offers endless perspectives of this industrial edifice. Take inspiration from the wide vistas or the delicate details at this National Historic Landmark. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to photograph the Carrie Blast Furnaces with only a few other photographers around!

THINGS TO DO IN THE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

Support Rivers of Steel's work in communities throughout the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. Your tax-deductible contribution will help champion community collaborations and ensure that Rivers of Steel can continue to offer vital, engaging, community-based arts, education, and heritage programs for the residents of southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond.

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