Join the rook and check out metal marvels at city festival

BLACKSMITHS and other metalworkers from across the country will be exhibiting their best work in Sheffield over the next month, as part of the city’s Galvanize Festival which begins on Thursday.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Mar 2011, 06:00 BST

Craftsmen and women involved in the event hosted a preview of some of their pieces yesterday in the city’s Winter Garden, while more than 20 other venues are preparing to take part.

Michael Kusz, who studied at art college in Sheffield, but now runs a business in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, makes copper sculptures.

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He said his work ranged in price from £50 to £30,000 and the pieces on display at the festival show rooks apparently operating garden machinery such as lawn mowers and grass rollers.

Dan Liggins, a blacksmith who runs the Black Dragon Forge, in Tideswell in the Peak District, said the festival was an ideal opportunity to cast the spotlight on traditional skills and high-quality products.

Festival manager Sarah Unwin added: “We should be promoting metalworking much more in Sheffield. I feel it is synonymous with the city.

“We should be identifying Sheffield with metalworking in the same way that Stratford- upon-Avon identifies with Shakespeare.”

For festival details and venues see www.galvanizefestival.com

Related topics:SheffieldNorth Yorkshire