Bob Elliot of the Pittsburgh Area Artists-Blacksmith Association shows off his forge-welded heart hook made at the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop. |
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It's time to hammer in!
Happy Saturday! There's so much to share this week—so let's get right to it!
Next Saturday, April 15, is the annual Hammer-In Festival at the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop. It's a showcase for area blacksmiths and a free open house. No need to register—just plan to make a day of it and join us at the magnificent industrial treasure that is the Machine Shop.
Then mark your calendars for Thursday, April 20—we're excited to announce an exhibition opening at the Bost Building in partnership with the Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka. Gledaj! The Gaze of Maxo Vanka features 130 works by Maxo Vanka, known locally for his evocative murals at Millvale’s St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church. The artworks feature sketches of bridges, riverboats, industry, and architecture from the Pittsburgh region as well as preparatory sketches for the murals.
If you haven't heard, we've just started a series of blacksmithing workshops at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. So we thought this might be a good time to introduce our own resident blacksmith, Jared Ondovchik. Get to know him—read this Profiles in Steel story.
In other news, we hosted a tree adoption event with Tree Pittsburgh last Saturday at the Pump House. Take a moment to read about it and see how you might receive free trees!
By all accounts, this should be an extremely fun month of activities. We hope to see you soon!
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Steve Neiderritter leads a tour of the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop. |
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BLACKSMITHING FESTIVAL
Hammer-In Festival at the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
W.A Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop, Rices Landing, PA
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Join blacksmiths from the tri-state area as they convene for the Hammer-In Festival in Greene County! Once a year, the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop welcomes blacksmiths from across the region to showcase their craft. Beyond watching the blacksmithing demonstrations, there are guided tours of this National Historic Landmark, a Hot Metal Happening metal-pour demonstration, and a live auction of the artists' handiwork. It's a fun day—and its free!
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EXHIBITION OPENING
Gledaj! The Gaze of Maxo Vanka
Thursday, April 20, 2023, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Bost Building in Homestead
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Croatian artist Maxo Vanka is known to many for his “Gift to America”: the 25 murals painted on the walls of Millvale’s St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church. These one-of-a-kind murals—a tribute to an immigrant congregation and community—are also the dramatic culmination of the artist’s experiences, his vision of justice, and his unflinching gaze at the world around him.
Gledaj! The Gaze of Maxo Vanka adds another dimension to our knowledge of Vanka. The 130 artworks in the exhibition offer a window to the artist’s process on the murals and a look at the themes, portraits, and scenes that were a part of his creative life.
Join Rivers of Steel and the Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka for a free public reception in the Bost Building’s upper gallery. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.
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Jared Ondovchik at the 2022 Festival of Combustion at the Carrie Blast Furnaces.
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FEATURED STORY
Profiles in Steel—Jared Ondovchik
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A longtime partner and collaborator with Rivers of Steel, Jared Ondovchik has officially joined our metal arts team! This year he'll be teaching both Blacksmithing Basics and Bladesmithing workshops. His journey as a craftsman began while working on an iconic, local public artwork, but his practice is even more deeply rooted in his family's story.
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Sean Mooney of Braddock picked up two redbuds for his yard during Tree Pittsburgh's tree adoption event last Saturday. |
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT STORY
Tree Pittsburgh
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Tree Pittsburgh works to protect and grow the city's urban forest through education, advocacy, community tree planting, and maintenance. Their tree adoption program helps county residents increase the tree canopy while beautifying their yards. Rivers of Steel recently partnered with them for a tree giveaway event in the Mon Valley. |
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FEATURED PROGRAM
Aluminum Casting Session
Monday, April 17, 2023, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
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Create a unique work of art from aluminum!
Using everyday materials, you’ll create a one-sided design in resin-bonded sand. While your mold sets, you'll get a brief tour of the Carrie Furnaces National Historic Landmark site before returning to watch as Rivers of Steel’s foundry crew casts your artwork from molten metal!
The Aluminum Casting Session is a great way to try something new. Take a class with a friend. Create a special gift or unique memento to keep. You’ll take your cast aluminum objects home at the end of the workshop.
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METAL ARTS WORKSHOP
Blacksmithing Basics: Hooks & Hairpins
Thursday, April 20, 2023 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
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Learn to hammer hot metal at the Carrie Blast Furnaces! This three-hour introductory workshop is a great way to explore the art of blacksmithing and create something unique. Participants will learn the basics of forging steel and use essential blacksmithing tools to create a steel hook or hairpin to take home. |
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SEASONAL HERITAGE TOUR
Hardest Working River Tour
April 22, 23 & 30, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Explorer Riverboat
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Join Rivers of Steel for a journey up the Monongahela River on the Explorer riverboat. Once known as the “Hardest Working River in the World,” the Mon, as it’s known to locals, was responsible for much of Pittsburgh’s early commercial and industrial success, even centuries before it earned that moniker.
Hop onboard for a three-hour tour that begins at the confluence of Pittsburgh’s three rivers, then travels to destinations upriver, in view of the Carrie Blast Furnaces and Edgar Thompson Works, and back again. Along the way, you’ll not only hear the stories of our region’s commercial and industrial heritage, but you’ll also have an opportunity to leisurely enjoy incredible views of the Mon River Valley as spring blossoms.
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Help preserve our region’s industrial and cultural heritage! Your tax-deductible contribution will help ensure that Rivers of Steel can continue to offer vital, engaging, community-based arts, education, and heritage programs for the residents of southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond.
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