Breaking tradition in traditionally male-dominated crafts, the Brookfield Craft Center proudly welcomes two accomplished artisans to its campus: blacksmith Anna Koplik and woodturner Julia Swyers.
When she first began her blacksmithing journey, Koplik could not learn from other women because there were not as many women in blacksmithing at the time. Yet, she found support in the connections she made through the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths, a group dedicated to building equity and diversity in the field.
Koplik will be returning this spring to teach “Can You Handle It? Tools For The Home”, a weekend workshop scheduled for May 11 and 12, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the Good Forge. The class will show intermediate and advanced-level students how to make steel-handled items around the home. Registration is open on the Brookfield Craft Center website through May 5 and is limited to five students.
Julia Swyers will make her debut as an instructor at the Craft Center. She has immersed herself in woodworking for about ten years and has been working on the lathe for nearly just as long.
This summer, Swyers will teach “Turn a Wooden Bud Vase,” a single-day workshop in which students of all skill levels will walk away with a simple wooden vase. The class will cover basic lathe skills and discuss design, wood choice, and wood finishes. The class will take place on June 22, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the Woodturning Studio. Registration is available on the Brookfield Craft Center website through June 16 and is limited to five students.
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