WKU News

The Kentucky Museum will host its second Hammer-In on Oct. 7.

The Hammer-In is a gathering of metalworkers endeavoring to preserve the craft and techniques of the blacksmith forge and foundry arts through demonstrations in both historic and modern-day form. The free community event begins at 10 a.m.

The 2016 Hammer-In event at the Museum drew more than 300 enthusiastic participants celebrating the metalworkers’ trade.

“Last year’s inaugural Hammer-In event showed us that our museum visitors are deeply interested in hand-made artwork produced in local communities,” said Brent Björkman, Director of the Kentucky Museum and Kentucky Folklife Program. “At this event we were able to give the public an up-close look at the metal arts in many forms and also a chance, at our narrative stage event, to hear first-hand the life stories of these talented artists.”

The event captures the imagination of all ages. In 2016 visitors, including families and students, enjoyed the demonstrations and participated in the aluminum casting that was created by students from the WKU League of Sculptors. The Kentucky Folklife Program stage will again be sharing the stories of metal artists’ lives bringing forward these community-learned traditions.

The science of metalwork has evolved over time and contributes to modern applications in automotive, aerospace and consumer goods production. Modern metalwork still requires the same skilled craftsmanship as in the past and the Hammer-In event is a place for people of all ages to mean the passionate metal artist in our midst. 

To view the Hammer In schedule and find out more about this event including the opportunity to sign up for a metal forge class during this event, call (270) 745-2594 or visit http://www.wku.edu/kentuckymuseum/hammer_in.php

Contact: Lynne Ferguson, (270) 745-2594