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CHARLES ORLANDO, Blacksmith Orlando Forge Metal Studio
Charles Orlando, proprietor of Orlando Forge, is a modern day craftsman who uses the time-honored tools, techniques, and traditions of the blacksmith to produce fine decorative and functional ironwork. He has worked as a blacksmith for over twenty years, and has studied with many of the greatest blacksmiths and teachers in the field, including Francis Whitaker, Tom Joyce and Nol Putnam. He has also taught and demonstrated blacksmithing techniques to blacksmiths and farriers at conferences around the United States and Canada for more than fifteen years. He teaches regularly at the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina, and has also taught at Peters Valley Craft Center, New England School of Metalwork, and Touchstone Center for Crafts, His work is in many private homes across the country. Additionally, his work has been exhibited in many shows and galleries in the East, and has won recognition for design and craftsmanship in a number of art exhibits. Charles is also an accomplished knitter, practicing the craft for over 60 years, the last forty-seven he has specialized in Aran Isle (Fisherman Knit) sweaters, ganseys, and knitted accessories, and has been teaching this craft for the last twelve years at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Click here to go to a knitting gallery. For the last ten years he has also worked with recycling tin cans and other painted tin objects to produce different items, such as clocks, toys and musical instruments. You will find some of his work displayed in the Tin Can Art gallery on his website, www.orlandoforge.com. Some of these pieces were exhibited in the Noyes Gallery in Atlantic City, NJ from January to April in 2002. The theme of the gallery exhibit was "Recycled Objects Used for Recreational Purposes". A number of his pieces are included in the revised edition of Bobby Hansson's Fine Art of the Tin Can, published in the Spring of 2005. For sale are items made from forged steel, tin cans, and knitted hats, sweaters, and felted-knit bags and hats (with Betsy Orlando). Custom made work is a specialty. Turn your ideas into art. Directions: From traffic light in Belmont,
turn onto South St. About 6/10 of a mile past the old school building, turn
right on Ackerman Hill Rd. The studio driveway is on the right, approximately
one mile up the road at crest of a steep incline. It is the first Y intersection
on the road. Signs will be located at key points. Orlando Forge is open to visitors by appointment all year, A four-wheel-drive vehicle is needed to reach the studio from December until April. Call ahead for an appointment.
Circus Clock Ironwork, Tin Can Art, and Additional Knitted work galleries Gallery of some knitted articles made by Charles Orlando or Betsy Orlando |
