Metal Art Showcase 2012

Last updated April 2, 2012

The Metal Art Showcase is an increasingly popular spinoff of the World Championship Blacksmiths’ Competition.

Blacksmith artists from around the world are invited to submit unique pieces of metal art, created by using traditional forging methods and techniques. The artistic side of forging is drawing not only the competitors, but also artists from as far away as Australia to send in their submissions for a shot at $4,500 in prize money and to auction their work to the public.

A crossover between the "Olympics of Blacksmithing" and the artisan displays is the Potluck Artistic Forging class, back by popular demand. In the Big Top on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at 1pm. Audiences can watch competitors forge an item spontaneously from scrap metal pieces and then bid on these creations immediately afterwards.

The pre-made art submissions can be viewed at 6:30 pm July 7 at the Metal Art Showcase in the Victoria Pavilion, Agriculture Building follwed by the live Metal Art Auction, on July 7 at 7:30 pm.

Event Dates and Location

Event Date:: July 7, 2012
Entry Closing Date:: June 15, 2012
Location:: Pavilion

Press Releases + View Details

Schedule + View Details

Class 101: Potluck Forging

Competitors are given 90 minutes to create their works of art, working individually or in teams of up to four people. Competitors are given access to scrap metal and provided with a forge, an anvil, a shoeing vice and fire tools (rake, shovel, poker). Competitors may use their own additional hand tools but no power tools and may bring along any non-metal pieces or material necessary for the display of their items, including pre-made molds or dies for construction only, but may not bring any pre-made metal pieces or parts of the final art piece.

These pieces will be auctioned off immediately following the Potluck Forging class, with 100% of the proceeds of the sale going to the artists.

Class 102: Traditional Forging (pre-made submissions)

Artists are invited to submit pre-made pieces in the traditional forging category. These pieces will be judged by a panel of three judges. First place forged piece will be awarded $1,500 + buckle. Second place forged piece will be awarded $750. These pieces are also auctioned off at the Metal Art Showcase Auction with 60% of the proceeds of sale going to the artist. While artist are invited to be as creative as possible, the judges are looking for traditional forging methods, including forge welding, riveting, bumping up and drawing out.

Class 103: Non-Traditional Forging (pre-made submissions)

Artists are invited to submit pre-made pieces in the non-traditional forging category. First place forged piece will be awarded $1,500 + buckle. Second place forged piece will be awarded $750. These pieces are also auctioned off at the Metal Art Showcase Auction with 60% of the proceeds of sale going to the artist.

Please Note:

*There is no limit on theme of the artwork, but competitors should note that western themed pieces often garner the most interest from the buyers and as a result also sell for the highest prices. As 2012 is the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede, Centennial themed pieces are also welcome. ALL submissions must be delivered Attn: Janette Macmillan at the Agriculture Office prior to Tuesday, July 3rd.

Please use the following addresses to send your pieces to Janette Macmillan:

Courier Address:
Agriculture Admin - Calgary Stampede
1800 Stampede Trail SE
2nd Floor Agriculture Building
Calgary, Alberta T2G 2W1

Entry & Marketing Fees + View Details

Artistic Metal Classes (Class 101, 102 and 103) may be entered individually.

The cost to enter Class 101 is $25 per person.

The cost to enter Classes 102 and 103 is $100 for the first piece $50 for all additional pieces. A Metal Art Contract with a description of the piece(s) needs to accompany each metal art entry.

Entries in classes 101- 103 do not count towards the World Championship Blacksmith standings.

Entry into the World Championship Blacksmiths' Competition ($500) includes entry to all Metal Art Classes.

Prize Money & Awards + View Details

The Metal Art Showcase has a guaranteed purse of $4,500.

Class 102: Traditional Forging -
Champion Forged piece will receive $1,500 and a buckle.
Reserve Forged piece will receive $750.

Class 103: Non-Traditional Forging-
Champion Non-Forged piece will receive $1,500 and a buckle.
Reserve Non-Forged piece will receive $750.

All prize money will be in Canadian Dollars and non-residents of Canada will be subject to a 15% withholding tax.

Championship ribbons will be awarded for each prize winner.

Rules and Regulations + View Details

Regulations:: Pot Luck Competition: Individuals or teams of up to four people are eligable to compete. There is no limit on what can be made. All pieces must be made in the time allotted (90 minutes). Teams of competitors will have access to multiple pieces of steel and any tools they wish to create a truly unique and interesting article of their own design, limited only by imagination. Competitors may bring pre-made display stands, wires, hooks, boards, etc. and they may also use pre-made moulds and models to aide in the on-the-spot creation of their works of art.

Traditional Forging: There are no limitations on material or design, but this class does emphasize traditional blacksmithing and forging techniques, including forge welding, riveting, bumping up and drawing out. Pieces will be presented for sale by unreserved auction at the Metal Art Showcase Auction. The artist will receive 60% of the auction proceeds with 40% remaining with the Calgary Stampede in the form of a sales commission.

Non-Traditional Forging: This class celebrates the diversity of metal art. There are no limitations on type of metal used, design or construction technique. Pieces will be presented for sale by unreserved auction at the Metal Art Showcase Auction. The artist will receive 60% of the auction proceeds with 40% remaining with the Calgary Stampede in the form of a sales commission.

Artistic classes (101, 102 and 103) are NOT point classes for the World Champion Blacksmiths' Competition.

General Information + View Details

For more information, please contact Janette Macmillan 403.261.9174 jmacmillan@calgarystampede.com

Committee + View Details

Erik Swanby (Chair), Rob Hitchner (Vice Chair), Doug Neal (Vice Chair), Blaine Virostek (Past Chair), Mike O'Connor (Director), Allison Wright (Agriculture Manager), Janette Macmillan(Agriculture Program Coordinator), Peter Bagg, Brooke Ballie, Colain Duret, Heather Hartmann, Michele Hollins, David Holub, Marshall Iles, Victoria Knapp, Matt Kuechler, Dave Maller, Julie Mirdoch, Kristi Nutter, Dave Pokrandt, Tracy Quinton, Shelby Simundson, Rob Thomas, Laurel Tickles, Orlo Tveter, Bruce Williams, Mark Williams