Damascus Dynamics- intro to Damascus steel

PLEASE NOTE this 2-session class takes place at our Brooklyn location!

Saturday and Sunday, November 23rd + 24th

10am - 1pm

$350 - Non-Members

$298 - Members

$30 - Materials fee

Ticket price includes 6 hours of additional studio time to complete your project as needed.

Damascus is a legendary process that creates metal known for its beautiful, wavy patterns and exceptional strength. Originally conceived of in the Middle Ages, it combines iron, carbon and other metals in a way that makes pieces not only tough but also stunningly ornate—perfect for things like swords and knives that look as good as they slice! Think of it as the superhero of steel: tough, stylish, and full of history!

We will be learning about the Damascus process by joining layers of metals together and making small billets. We will learn about the induction forging process, heating and hammering the billets into what could turn into a variety of pieces. In this class, completing a piece is not the emphasis- experiencing the grounding and elemental Damascus process itself is. Should you be creatively inspired, there will be an opportunity to bring your Damascus vision to life with additional studio time to work on your project.

PREREQUISITES:

This is open to anyone 18 and up. No experience necessary. Please wear hair tied back, closed-toe boots, jeans, and long-sleeved shirts.

MATERIALS:

Your materials fee pays for steel. We provide safety protection including safety glasses, jackets, and gloves.

INSTRUCTOR:

Scott Van Campen (he/him) is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Makerspace NYC. Scott holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art as well as an A.A.S. in Graphic Design. He has been a ‘maker’ for over twenty-five years, creating sculptures, furniture, vehicles, and instruments. His 25 years of architectural metalwork experience can be seen in private residences, storefronts, museums, and restaurants all over New York City. Recent clients range from Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Stella McCartney’s flagship store in Soho, to the Museum of the Chinese in the Americas, and Cartier’s exterior gates and window guards.

Scott has created, guided, and managed the development of industrial fabrication at Makerspace's Staten Island & Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT) locations. Scott holds proficiencies in a myriad of extensive fabrication tools and techniques that cover the gamut of engineering and application in bringing true products to life.

REFUNDS/CANCELLATIONS:

Class size limited to 4 students. Minimum 2 students. We reserve the right to cancel the class if we do not have a minimum amount of students a week before the class date. If we cancel, we will refund you in full and notify you. You may cancel and get a full refund up to seven days before the class. After that, refunds are contingent on us being able to fill your seat. Under no circumstances do we offer refunds to individuals who cancel on the same day - that ruins the party for everyone.

Host or Publisher MakerSpace NYC