Some members will remember my posting about the sad loss of Alan Evans, aka @Alantoo of this forum back in January 2023. Alan was a master blacksmith, an artisan craftsman of the highest standard well known and respected throughout the Blacksmithing world and an accomplished deer stalker and significant contributor to this forum.
Through the hard work of his widow Lesley and many of his closest blacksmith friends an exhibition of Alan's work is shortly to open in Stroud at the Museum in the Park, Stroud, 6 September – 2 November 2025, supported by a grant from Arts Council England.
The Museum has just put the information on its website; the exhibits are to be changed every 2-3 weeks - https://museuminthepark.org.uk/earth-fire-iron-alan-evans-and-the-new-iron-age
The exhibition is about Alan but goes beyond Alan , because it tells a story of his unique background growing up on Whiteway, explores some of the influences on Alan's creative life, and explore how his ethics, values and interests (such a mentoring young people) can inspire a future for young makers today. So there is a focus throughout on YOUNG people. The money we have raised for the prizes for young artist-blacksmiths under 30 include one to Cameron Pearson who has just won Designer of the Year Award 2025 - that is amazing!! The first time ever an artist-blacksmith has won this Award.
Importantly, a book has also been written commemorating Alan's life and achievements, not unsurprisingly also entitled: Earth Fire Iron: Alan Evans and the New Iron Age
Partners and some of the Projects and some of the special events taking place during the exhibition:
Through the hard work of his widow Lesley and many of his closest blacksmith friends an exhibition of Alan's work is shortly to open in Stroud at the Museum in the Park, Stroud, 6 September – 2 November 2025, supported by a grant from Arts Council England.
The Museum has just put the information on its website; the exhibits are to be changed every 2-3 weeks - https://museuminthepark.org.uk/earth-fire-iron-alan-evans-and-the-new-iron-age
The exhibition is about Alan but goes beyond Alan , because it tells a story of his unique background growing up on Whiteway, explores some of the influences on Alan's creative life, and explore how his ethics, values and interests (such a mentoring young people) can inspire a future for young makers today. So there is a focus throughout on YOUNG people. The money we have raised for the prizes for young artist-blacksmiths under 30 include one to Cameron Pearson who has just won Designer of the Year Award 2025 - that is amazing!! The first time ever an artist-blacksmith has won this Award.
Importantly, a book has also been written commemorating Alan's life and achievements, not unsurprisingly also entitled: Earth Fire Iron: Alan Evans and the New Iron Age
Partners and some of the Projects and some of the special events taking place during the exhibition:
- Ruskin Mill College Nailsworth https://rmt.org: A collaboration in Forged Metal: work over two weeks between 22 September and 2 October on specific themes resulting in exhibition of students work in the Ruskin Mill Gallery. The exhibition showcases a collaboration between Forged Metal Arts postgraduate students led by Ren Garside and Bradley Wills from Hereford College of Arts and students from Ruskin Mill College. Together, they explore themes of nature through the medium of forged metal, drawing inspiration from seeds and fungi. It highlights inventive works by both postgraduate artists and Ruskin Mill students, celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and ecological awareness. Merging forged metal with environmental inspiration, it fosters a profound connection to nature while underscoring the transformative impact of collaboration. This project is also supported by Grow Wild, the national outreach programme of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- Stroud Valleys Artspace hosts an exhibition of work by young Stroud based artist Callum Partridge who studied jewellery and metalwork at London Metropolitan University and will be making new work for this show 12th September - 29th September
- Pangolin Gallery: Are exhibiting the "//150mm Challenge", an international touring exhibition of artist blacksmiths arranged by Hereford College of Arts challenged to make an original work from 150mm square of mild steel 12th-28th September https://youtu.be/TBCzW3fyx4Q.
- Mary Greensted (exhibition curatorial team and expert of the Cotswold Arts & Crafts https://www.artworkersguild.org/membership/find-a-member/greensted-mary/: Talk on the Cotswold Arts & Crafts and metalwork at the Museum 2-3pm 16th October
- Del Done MBE, CWCB Head of the School of Materials and Design and Course Leader for BA(Hons) Artist Blacksmithing, MA Forged Metal Arts, and MA Contemporary Crafts , a globally renowned scholar and educator, deeply rooted in the discipline of forged metal arts and crafts. She will give a talk on the crisis in Education and the Crafts and the challenge for young people on 16th October in the Museum (time tbc c4.30pm)
- Hector Cole: Demonstration (10.30am-12.30) and Talk (2-3pm) on 2nd October in the Museum on Archaeological Ironwork & Medieval arrow making http://hectorcoleironwork.com
- Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking https://www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk: MA Hereford College of Art MA students Ren Garside and Mark Rogers selected artist -blacksmiths "in residence" 20th-26th October, forging demonstrations with accompanying exhibition of work showing their design thinking and processes based around Hawkwood -the place and its philosophy. Public Discussion: “Contemplating Carbon” / Forging for a Future: discussion about sustainability and resilience with Lisa Wisdom, artist blacksmith and Daniel Carpenter Chief Executive of Heritage Crafts :- open discussion following supper @ 22 October 7.30-8.30pm
- The half term week (in Gloucestershire) 27th-31st October participatory forging / demo’s including St.Laurence’s Centre for Peace and the Arts, The Shambles, Stroud: Monday and Tuesday 27/28th October. Blacksmith Simon Bushell brings his “ Nowhere Forge” a portable forge in the churchyard to demonstrate the quality ironwork of local blacksmiths of the C19th and early C20th and its connections with our ’new’ iron age.
- Simon Bushell and. his Nowhere Forge for families and groups at the Museum in the Park : 29th-31st October Forging and participatory demonstrations
- Carers for Autism Service and Advice (CASA) : see press release attached
- British Artists Blacksmiths (BABA) AGM “Inspired": 12-14 September (Talks open to non-members on small payment)
to the left of the wheelbarrow 
