Saturday, August 10, 2024

The Carrie Deer at the Carrie Blast Furnaces, created by the Industrial Arts Co-op in 1997 – 1998.

This week, we’re excited to share part two of the Getting to Know series featuring Shiftworks Community + Public Arts, formerly known as the Office of Public Art. The first part of their series looked at how their work engages communities, while today’s story explores how to engage the public in the creation of public art—and where the boundaries of public art exist.

In the narrative, they ask: “What is public art? How is it made, and by whom?” For me, this immediately recalled Jane Kramer’s responses to the work of John Ahearn’s South Bronx bronzes that caused such a stir more than 30 years ago. Her The New Yorker article and subsequent book asked, “Whose Art Is It?”

Representation was the primary discussion in that conversation—how different factions of a neighborhood see themselves, and who gets to share that vision. With Shiftworks’ recent programs, it is more about inclusion in the process and creating works that are more ephemeral than bronze sculptures, questioning the notion of what “public art” can be. Read about it here.

Which brings us to our own piece of notable public art: the Carrie Deer created by the Industrial Arts Co-op. In the words of Tim Kaulen, one of the six primary artists who collaborated on it, it was more of an exercise in art making—something expected to be temporal. However, its creation shaped how we and others see the Carrie Blast Furnaces—not just as being part of an industrial story, but also a postindustrial one.

You can learn more about the Carrie Deer and this postindustrial interpretation and use of the landmark site on an Arts & Grounds Tour of the Carrie Furnaces. Or you could photograph it during the upcoming Photo Safari. If you take the Hands-On Graffiti Tour, you can explore the world of aerosol art through discussion of the medium historically, through contemporary works, and by picking up a can yourself!

Taking inspiration from the industrial history of the site, if you’ve already taken the Industrial Tour, you might want to try to shape some steel yourself, either in the Blacksmithing Basics workshop or the Hot Metal Happy Hour: Forged Bottle Openers workshop. Oh, and there’s a Scratch Block Aluminum Casting workshop at the Machine Shop!

If you are looking for other activities to do next weekend, check out Riverlife’s Flotsam! River Circus or the discussion about the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum presented by the Battle of Homestead Foundation. 

Shiftworks' Write the Rivers workshop with Sherrie Flick explored new ways of including the public in public art. Photo by Heather Mull.

FEATURED STORY

Getting to Know: Shiftworks, Part Two

The Getting to Know series helps you become better acquainted with some of Rivers of Steel’s partners throughout the eight-county Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area by featuring one of our community allies. For part two of the Shiftworks series, writer Jason Vrabel examines how Shiftworks Community + Public Arts serves its mission by creating opportunities for the public to engage in creating public art—in the process expanding the boundaries of just what public art can be.

PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION

Photo Safari

Sunday, August 18, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces

The Carrie Blast Furnaces are undoubtedly a photographer’s muse. The form and texture of the structures cater to seasonal scenes, and the interplay of light offers endless perspectives of this industrial edifice. Take inspiration from the wide vistas or the delicate details at this National Historic Landmark. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to photograph Carrie with only a few other photographers around!

SPECIALTY TOUR

Arts & Grounds Tour

Sunday, August 18, 2024, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces

Discover how creatives, from guerrilla artists and graffiti writers to curators and designers, have been inspired by—and left their mark on—this revered landscape. Highlighting contemporary art installations, graffiti murals, the Iron Garden, and the famous Carrie Deer, the Arts & Grounds Tour invites you to experience this historic landmark from a postindustrial perspective. 

TOUR AND WORKSHOP

Hands-On Graffiti Tour

Sunday, August 18, 2024, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces

Graffiti writers were among the first people to embrace the potential of the Carrie Blast Furnaces in their postindustrial era—and unknowingly opened the door for creatives decades later. Join Rivers of Steel for a tour of the collection of graffiti murals located at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. Learn about the individual works of art and the overall history and culture of graffiti. After your tour, you’ll have a chance to try it for yourself!

METAL ARTS WORKSHOP

Scratch Block Aluminum Casting

Sunday, August 18, 2024, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop

Explore the metal casting process and step back in time at the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop. This workshop is a great way to explore the metal-casting process and try something new! No prior experience or artistic background necessary—just bring your creativity and a friend or two! Sand mold and tools are provided. Rivers of Steel’s experienced metal-casting team will help you create your own design, then step back and watch as the metal team pours molten aluminum into your mold. You’ll be able to take your casting home at the end of the workshop.

METAL ARTS WORKSHOP

Hot Metal Happy Hour—Forged Bottle Openers

Friday, August 23, 2024, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces

Forge your own bottle opener at the Carrie Blast Furnaces! This four-hour, hands-on event is an excellent introduction to blacksmithing. Work with hot steel to create your own custom bottle opener! In the process, you'll learn basic blacksmithing techniques, including slitting, drifting, punching, bending, and more. At the end of the session, put your handiwork to the test when you crack open an ice-cold bottled beverage to toast your accomplishment!

METAL ARTS WORKSHOP

Blacksmithing Basics—Hooks and Hairpins

Sunday, August 25, 2024, 2:30 – 5:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces

Learn to hammer hot metal at the Carrie Blast Furnaces! This three-hour introductory workshop is a great way to explore the art of blacksmithing and create something unique. Participants will learn the basics of forging steel and use essential blacksmithing tools to create a steel hook or hairpin to take home. 

THINGS TO DO IN THE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

Support Rivers of Steel's work in communities throughout the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. Your tax-deductible contribution will help champion community collaborations and ensure that Rivers of Steel can continue to offer vital, engaging, community-based arts, education, and heritage programs for the residents of southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond.

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