Copper Fold Forming Workshop for the Holidays

Oct. 30, 2011 - PRLog -- Silversmith, fine furniture maker, and sculptor Darren Fisher will lead a workshop at the Center for Metal Arts in fold forming for artists, jewelers, makers, and weekend crafters on Saturday November 12, 2011. Fold forming is a new process of working with folded sheet, similar to origami, but with the added forming technique of forging on an anvil.

Fold forming can produce complex elements that appear to be chased or repoussed, creating three-dimensional objects in just a few minutes. Since fold forming was developed in the 1980's by  Charles Lewton-Brain, it has been explored by jewelers, sculptors and metal artists worldwide.  From Lewton-Brain's own classic book, Fold Forming, to youtube demonstrations of particular folds, there are many ways to learn about this unique and gratifying process. The Center for Metal Arts holds one-day workshops and an Annual Conference in  Fold Forming. topics.

Fold forming as a sheet-forming process has applications for architecture and large-scale sculpture, with its capacity for creating organic forms and changes of volume.

Darren Fisher is a silversmith, furniture maker, and sculptor residing in Montclair, NJ. He was Resident Artist at Arrowmont School of Art and Craft in Gatlinburg, TN, where he spent a year working in his studio developing a body of work and teaching in the community. After the residency, he worked for Fine Architectural Metalsmiths as their Sculptor/Moldmaker and the assistant to the blacksmith. In the past, Darren has taught the Forging Non-Ferrous Metals workshop at Peter’s Valley Craft Education Center in Layton, NJ. He currently supervises the Jewelry and Sculpture Studios at New Jersey City University in Jersey City, NJ.  

Darren Fisher’s current work is investigating sculptural furniture combining the skills learned through an apprenticeship with Hungarian Cabinetmakers and his forging of intricate parts in silversmithing. His work is shown around the country and is a part of several private collections.

Darren Fisher will be leading a series of  workshops in the 2011-2012 program at the Center for Metal Arts. He will lead a studio session on Forging the Nonferrous Metals, Saturday February 25, followed by Patinas for the Small Studio, Saturday March 17, and Mold Making on April 14, 2012.

The Center for Metal Arts is a studio workshop holding classes for beginners through advanced artisans. Located just one hour north of New York City, and 15 minutes west of the NYS 87, the center is accessible as well by public transportation from NYC.

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The Center for Metal Arts holds blacksmithing and other metal arts workshops for artisans, designers and the public. Located one hour north of New York City, The Center for Metal Arts offers an opportunity to work hot metal at the forge and anvil.