Hammer In
Celebrating our 10th Anniversary!
Free and Family-Friendly
Saturday, October 11, 2025
10 AM to 3 PM
Free parking available off of Kentucky Street in WKU parking lots. Follow the Hammer In Parking Signs. For GPS directions, use our street address: 1444 Kentucky Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101
Notably this year, see Equal Temperament, a national juried metalworking exhibition featuring 50 works by artists across the nation. An awards ceremony will take place at noon on October 11.
Join us at the Kentucky Museum for a free community event celebrating the metal workers' trade, including:
- Forge demonstrations.
- Tinsmithing demonstrations.
- Aluminum Pour demonstration and make-your-own pour.
- Basic Forge Skills Demonstrations.
- Opportunity to meet metalworkers and artisans, shop/commission, and discover Southcentral Kentucky's rich artisan community.
- Opportunity to learn about joining metal working associations and getting started in the trade.
- Learn about the Kentucky Forge Council and become a member.
- Kentucky Folklife Program Narrative Stage, including an interview with our Featured Blacksmiths.
- Cotton BBQ food truck.
Click on the arrows below to view activities.
Hammer In Kickoff 10AM
Featured Demonstrator presentation
Museum Lot
- KFC Member demonstrations
- Artisan booths
- KFC informational booth
Felts House Lawn
- Tinsmith demonstrations
- Basic Blacksmithing Skills demonstrations
Circle Drive - Aluminum Pour
Cotton BBQ
Museum open to public
Awards presentation for Equal Temperament
Featured Demonstrator presentation
Museum Lot
- KFC Member demonstrations
- Artisan booths
- KFC informational booth
Felts House Lawn
- Tinsmith demonstrations
- Basic Blacksmithing Skills demonstrations
Circle Drive - Aluminum Pour
Cotton BBQ
Museum open to public
Featured Demonstrators
Jami Honey
Independent Artist
@jamimakes.bsky.social
A blacksmith and multidisciplinary artist, Jami Honey travels the world creating and teaching. They held artist residencies at the Metal Museum in Memphis, TN, and the Touchstone Center for Crafts in Pennsylvania. They are a member of the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths.
Bruna D'Alessandro
An artist and metal sculptor, Bruna was born in Italy, wher she studied painting at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma, earning a Bachelor's in Painting and Master's in Multimedia and Technological Arts. Now living in Brooklyn, New York, she has completed artist residencies with Franconia Sculpture Park, The Steel Yard, and Salem Art Works, while showcasing in numerous exhibitions across the United States. Bruna is the co-founder of The Artist Gardener NYC, instructor with The Art Students League of New York, and is a member of the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths.
Her works, "Ingredients for Dinner - Veggies" and "The Painter's Studio", are on view in Equal Temperament.
Demonstrators
Kentucky Forge Council
The Kentucky Forge Council is a community organization dedicated to preservation of the craft of blacksmithing through hands-on education. The council meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Kentucky Museum. The group and its meetings are open to the public. Find out more on their Facebook page.
Randy Hulsey, Jennings Creek Tin Shoppe
Randy began his apprenticeship under Tinsmith Bill Lawrence "Uncle Billy". He studied with him for three years before establishing his own shop. Randy is a juried member of the Kentucky Craft Market program, He uses 18c forming stake tools while specializing in 18th & 19th Century reproduction tinware and living history demonstrations.
Greg Knight
Greg has had a lifelong interest in Blacksmithing and took that interest to the next level in 2016 during the first Kentucky Museum Hammer-In. Greg enjoys teaching decorative metal and working with the next generation of blacksmiths.
Daniel Nagel
Chris Radus
A Pittsburgh native resides and has his forge in Bowling Green where he makes art out of recycled metal and wood. Radus' metal working roots go back to his grandfather who was a professional blacksmith in the old country (Hungary).
John Zeh
Metallurgical Engineer
John has been a metallurgical engineer for over 30 years. He will be demonstrating how to make Frederick’s or split crosses and other items such as steak turners and hooks. He is a member of the Kentucky Forge Council.
The WKU League of Sculptors
The League of Sculptors is a WKU student organization intent on sharing and supporting sculpture. They are engaged in showing student work and participating in sculpture organizations and conferences on a local, regional and international level.
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