Blacksmither Radio

Continuing along the education theme on the show this year I have a unique interview for you.  I’m interviewing two people at once and they are involved with the Eureka Springs School of the Arts in Arkansas.  The Eureka Springs School of Art in Eureka Springs, Arkansas offers classes and workshops for all of the arts, but is now building a bigger focus on metal arts with a new Iron Studio. Peggy Kjelgaard is the Executive Director of the school and Bob Patrick a nationally known blacksmith with professional experience since 1967. He has taught and demonstrated at regional and national conferences all over North America and is currently teaching at the Eureka Springs School of the Arts.  Since he’s been in the blacksmithing craft since the late 60’s he’s got some great stories about the early days of ABANA, Francis Whitaker, George Dixon (who was once the head blacksmith at Yellin’s shop). Peggy says the Eureka Springs School of Art (ESSA) opened in 2001 and was originally called the School Without Walls bec