Ferrous 24 – an international festival of artist blacksmithing returns

Under the creative leadership of Del Done MBE – the head of HCA’s School of Materials + Design – the free public festival takes over the city centre with international artists exhibiting alongside HCA students and grads in dedicated gallery spaces.

In 2022 the event attracted more than 40,000 people to Hereford – and the line-up for 2024 promises to bring the same energy, excitement and exquisite work to High Town. The unique festival provides an opportunity to explore blacksmithing’s connection to the environment and the value of materials from the earth to iron.

Live forging is once again at the heart of the event – and this year there will also be a live smelt demo from internationally-renowned blade-smith Owen Bush.

Bookings are now open to have a go at forging under the supervision of  expert volunteers from HCA’s Artist Blacksmithing course:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ferrous-festival-2024-have-a-go-forging-tickets-841498182717

Ferrous 24 will celebrate the best creative metalwork from the UK and around the world, with diverse artists and makers from over 20 different countries taking part, placing Hereford firmly at the centre of excellence in artist blacksmithing.

The festival’s artists will work with schools, communities, and the public to create projects and exhibitions to intrigue and entertain visitors.

• Acclaimed Californian repoussé artist Douglas Pryor
• Shelanu – a women’s craft collective whose members come from Pakistan, Hong Kong, India and Kurdistan
• A Davuit Alexander-curated exhibition of works using repurposed laughing gas cannisters
• A group show from the MFA course at The Gothenburg University Campus Steneby in Sweden
• The Space Between, a group show from the Precious Collective which has just returned from Munich Jewellery Week
•  An incredible collection of hand-crafted crosses collected from artists the world as a symbol of hope and peace for Ukraine
• A collaboration between NMITE and HCA grad Rowan Lickerish that brings together large scale metal sculpture and drum and bass time signatures
• And many more.

Ferrous Festival 24 is a partnership between Hereford BID and Hereford College of Arts, with the support of businesses and venues in and around the city, including the Artist Blacksmithing degree at HCA.

Arts Council England, Hereford BID and Herefordshire Council are funding the 2024 festival are we are also grateful for the support of the National School of Blacksmithing based at Holme Lacy.