DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION AND INSTRUCTION OF THE
ANCIENT ART OF BLACKSMITHING
Foothills of the Carolinas Blacksmith Guild (FCBG) is dedicated to the preservation and instruction of the ancient art of traditional blacksmithing; the performance of community service projects conducted by and/or forged by FCBG members; and, presentations and demonstrations conducted by FCBG members on behalf of non-profit, community, and civic organizations, and educational institutions.
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HISTORY OF FCBG
FCBG evolved from a small group of former blacksmithing students who wanted to continue their blacksmithing endeavors and the camaraderie they had established during their years of instruction under George Matthews. The group approached Falling Creek Camp for Boys about using the camp’s blacksmith shop as their meeting place. The Guild is extremely grateful to the owners, directors, and staff at Falling Creek Camp for this generous agreement on behalf of the Guild's start up endeavors. In February, 2008, the first official meeting was held and the name of Falling Creek Blacksmith Guild was adopted.
In August 2009, FCBG began a search for a more geographically convenient meeting place and began negotiations with Tryon Arts & Crafts about the use of their facility for a permanent meeting place for FCBG. November, 2009 concluded these negotiations and FCBG is proud to call Tryon Arts & Crafts our permanent meeting place. The name change to Foothills of the Carolinas Blacksmith Guild was adopted at this time in order to facilitate our identity more greographically, instead of "place specific".
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FCBG is proud to be an affiliate of the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America (ABANA). Links to current ABANA affiliate information is listed here.
Affiliate letter March 2008
(Info about ABANA discounts from Grainger for ABANA members.)
President's Message, Feb. 2008
(This is a fantastic article - a must read!)
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The December meeting for 2009 was canceled due to the huge snow storm that immobilized most of our membership area. Hopefully, our January meeting will be SNOW FREE!!! Please try to be in attendance at the business session of our January meeting because this is the very important election of officers time. There have been many changes over the last few months and you will want to be sure you know about them all.
JANUARY 16, 2010 (9 am to 4 pm)
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
This meeting will be held at the blacksmith shop at Tryon Arts & Crafts!
(It's located at Harmon Field in Tryon, NC)
DIRECTIONS: There is a very good map and directions on the Tryon Arts & Crafts website on the page designated "Our Facility". Check out their site to see what they are all about!
Keep watching this site for more updates!
That's all I have for now but if I think of something else, I'll be sure let you know!
John
"Exploring the Arts" day at Tryon Arts & Crafts, August 8, 2009.
August 22, 2009 meeting at Tryon Arts & Crafts blacksmith facility.
MEETING INFORMATION
All meetings are from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at Falling Creek Camp. Be sure to bring a "bag lunch". Plan to come for the whole day - or any part of it.
Normally, the meeting will begin with a short "taking care of business" session; then followed by a demonstration. After that, everyone is invited to . . . .
02/20
03/20
04/17
05/15
06/19
07/17
08/21
09/18
10/16
11/20
12/18
For directions to the meeting site at Tryon Arts & Crafts click here for the map on their web site, or contact us by email at:
Our first President, William Scott ("Scotty") presides at our first open meeting on February 23, 2008. We're "Up and Running"!!!!
George Matthews, founder and board member, explains "something" as Bobby Crisp, board member, listens attentively (or is it doubtfully???)
