This course is part of our Making Skills: Degree and Diploma Taster Week, a themed series of short courses that teach foundation skills and offer an insight into studying one of our Higher Education courses at West Dean.

They cover a variety of subject areas and are taught by selected tutors who teach on the Degree and Diploma courses at West Dean, giving students a real insight into the opportunities available for full or part time study. They also offer an excellent opportunity to create and build on your portfolio, often a key requirement when you apply for a higher education programme, develop you practical making skills and find out if you would like to pursue further study.

There will also be opportunities to Meet the Tutors on Tuesday 8 September, with an evening event starting at 5:15pm in The Old Library, where each tutor will give a 10 minute talk about their practice and course. Workshop and studio tours will also be scheduled as part of the week, offering students the chance to see the full range of facilities and courses West Dean offers.

Course details
Led by distinguished blacksmith and educator Adam Greenwell, this four day course offers a structured, practical introduction to fundamental forging techniques and workshop processes. Through daily demonstrations and guided exercises, students will explore the essential skills underpinning contemporary blacksmithing, developing confidence with tools, materials and safe working methods.

Adam introduces six core forging processes-bending, drawing down, jumping up, punching, cutting and fire welding-ensuring students build both technical understanding and practical fluency. Working progressively, students will apply these skills within a tutor selected project designed to consolidate learning, encourage creative thinking and highlight the versatility of forged metalwork.

With a career spanning architectural and ornamental ironwork, international exhibition practice and his former role as Head Lecturer of the BA (Hons) Artist Blacksmithing programme at Hereford College of Arts, Adam brings a rich combination of technical expertise and creative pedagogy. His teaching emphasises not only practical proficiency but also reflective thinking, craftsmanship and the development of personal artistic approach.

This course is ideal for those preparing to enter Higher Education metalwork programmes or seeking to strengthen their foundational making skills. By the end of the four days, students will have gained solid technical grounding, increased confidence in the forge, and a clearer understanding of the expectations of advanced metalworking study.

All tools, materials, and safety equipment are provided. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience who wish to expand their skills in a creative and supportive environment.

Making Skills: Degree and Diploma Taster Week

Other subjects and short courses on this themed week are:

Printmaking: Combined Techniques
Attendance on the above course offers skills relevant to progressing onto Foundation Diploma in Printmaking

Tapestry Weaving: The Art of Translation
Attendance on the above course offers skills relevant to progressing onto Foundation Diploma in Tapestry

Painting Inspired by Goldsworthy’s Chalk Stone Walk
Attendance on the above course offers skills relevant to progressing onto Foundation Diploma in Art & Design and BA (Hons) Art & Contemporary Craft

Object: Memory - Exploring Tactile Ways to Tell Stories and Experimental Concrete Casting for Sculpture
Attendance on any of the above courses offers skills relevant to progressing onto BA (Hons) Art & Contemporary Craft

Printmaking: Combined Techniques, Experimental Concrete Casting for Sculpture and Tapestry Weaving: The Art of Translation
Attendance on any of the above courses offers skills relevant to progressing onto Graduate Diploma Fine Art and MFA Fine Art

Silversmithing with an Emphasis on Box Making and Blacksmithing: Fundamentals and Individual Projects
Attendance on any of the above courses offers skills relevant to progressing onto FdA Metalwork (Craft Practices)

Woodworking: Tool Control, Posture and Precision. No Plane, No Gain
Attendance on the above course offers skills relevant to progressing onto FdA Furniture (Craft Practices)

Bookbinding Sampler: Designing and Creating a Sewn Notebook and Introduction to the Conservation of Books and Archives
Attendance on any of the above courses offers skills relevant to progressing onto FdA Books & Bindings (Craft Practices)

Introduction to the Conservation of Books and Archives
Attendance on the above course offers skills relevant to progressing onto Graduate Diploma Conservation and MA Conservation

Interior Design Intensive – Process, Planning and Presentation
Attendance on the above course offers skills relevant to progressing onto BA (Hons) Interior Design and HE Diploma Interior Design

Find out more and View all Courses

Included

All fuel costs and mild steel stocked by the College Leather aprons, welding gauntlets, goggles, welding helmets and ear defenders can be borrowed from the Forge.

What students need to bring

Schetch/ note book. You will need to wear clothing suitable for workshop use, together with steel toe capped boots. (No rigger style boots) Please note that cotton or wool clothing is preferable to nylon or other synthetics. Shorts do not provide necessary protection. For your safety, it is mandatory to wear steel toe capped safety boots when undertaking a course in the Forge. You must provide your own footwear and bring it with you to wear on the course. If you fail to bring suitable footwear, you will not be able to take part in the course. Safety boots can be purchased from most tool hire shops and builders’ merchants, as well as online.

You must wear goggles (provided) and suitable protective clothing for this course. Leather aprons, welding gauntlets, goggles, welding helmets and ear defenders can be borrowed from the Forge, or you can bring them along if you have them. If, for example, you have particularly large or small hands, your own leather work gloves are likely to be a better fit.

Available to buy

Gardens Gatehouse Craft Shop:

• A range of art and craft materials

Additional information

Please note: This course will be in the Forge, which is a ten-minute walk from the main house through the walled garden or can be accessed by car.

Please note that tutor supervision is always required when you are working in the Forge.

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm  
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)  
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

Terms & Conditions