Meet Dale: Our Blacksmith
For 10 summers starting in 1976, Dale’s family participated in the Booker T. Washington National Monument Living History Program. The program depicted everyday life in a rural 1860’s tobacco plantation. While his sister participated in churning butter, Dale was drawn to blacksmithing. So, at the young age of 9, Dale began his journey into the art of blacksmithing. Booker T. Washington’s philosophy is instilled in all that Dale teaches to his students to this day, ‘Working with the hands and the mind’, test skills, and academia.
While attending Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC, he established a blacksmithing shop where he received a bachelor’s in Business Administration. He also attended Penland and John C. Campbell Folk School. Traveling to Europe, he studied under Manfred Bredohl of Vulkanschmiede in Aachen, Germany, and under Gabriele Curtolo in San Servolo, Venice, Italy. From lighting fixtures to railings to gates, Dale’s ironwork can be found in homes and businesses in the US and abroad.
Our Forge
Dale is now the owner of Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing in Waynesboro, VA. He received the designation of Master Artisan from the Artisan Center of Virginia. Dale is also credentialed by the Artists Blacksmiths of North America. (ABANA) He is one of the few blacksmithing instructors in the US certified to teach all three levels of ABANA’s national curriculum. Dale teaches the yearlong blacksmithing class at Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing. He also has world-class and internationally known guest instructors who teach at VIB. Dale’s passion for blacksmithing is apparent to all his students, and he receives high praise for his teaching abilities.
Blacksmithing Classes
Knife Making
Artisan Blacksmithing Certificate Courses
Welding Classes
Powerhammer Classes
ABANA National Curriculum
Call: (434) 960-9718 or Join Online
Address
724 N Augusta Ave, Waynesboro, VA 22980
info@vablacksmithing.org
Phone
434-960-9718