Blacksmithing & Metal Art

“The experience in our classroom is akin to a student going to work in their own studio. Pretty much, from the time they walk in, until they leave at night, the idea is to be hammering, welding, riveting, sanding, drawing, growing hot from forging and getting dirty from assembling and finishing.”

Making big cool things out of steel, mainly recycled from industrial uses, has always brought Kevin joy. He’s been a metal worker for more than 35 years. He’s earned an Artist/Blacksmith Certificate from Sir Sanford Flemming College in Ontario. He spent 12 years working as a metal engraver with my father at our family business, Precision Engraving Co. Ltd. He worked with Kootenay Forge as a sub-contractor where he honed his production skills by making thousands of metal art products for the home. He has his own forge set up on his Goose Creek property. He’s  created many one-of a-kind sculptures and commissioned works.

Kevin instructs in the Blacksmithing program.

Kevin takes inspiration from nature and Kootenay life:

“I live rural, between Nelson and Castlegar, on a small piece of land by Goose Creek. My shop (the Goose Creek forge) is a 100 year old barn. I like being outside so, after getting some work done forging in the shop, I might head down to the creek for a swim. Split some firewood. Head down to the river and try and catch some trout. If it’s winter, I am taking Friday off to ski some of the best ‘pow’ in North America. I do a lot of vegetable gardening and have a couple of fruit trees. I raise chickens. This past fall, the bear ate most of the apples. I had a bumper crop of pickling cukes, so I fermented them all, Kosher-style. That’s Kootenay Living…”

Kate moved to the Kootenays in 2008, after growing up in the Yukon, and spending years in Vancouver and travelling abroad. She worked in various industries on three continents including fashion, hospitality, construction and research and engineering. Kate joins the School of the Arts after several years teaching math in Academic Upgrading and the School of Business. She believes strongly in the mission of Selkirk College and is passionate about the diverse learning opportunities available in the region. When Kate isn’t on campus, she enjoys team sports with her five children, gardening, hiking the local trails, and trying out new math puzzles.