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MESSAGE FROM CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN PETER PARRY "Hammer on Down, the Anvils are in Our Town!"

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Hi there. My name is Peter Parry and I am honoured as chairman of this conference, which we call "the GLIIF", to invite you to join us in downtown Buffalo N.Y for what is shaping up to be a really great time for you and your family.

The conference is hosted by the Niagara chapter of the New York State Designer Blacksmiths with the cooperation of blacksmithing groups from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Ontario. We have five great demonstrators ready to give you two full days of demonstrations at two demo sites.

Jymm Hoffman will be bringing along his historical traveling forge, and will cover several projects involving both basic and advanced techniques, as well as instruction in how to produce historically correct reproductions.

From Ontario we have the team of Mark Puigmarti and Bob Cook. Bob is the president of the Ontario Artist Blacksmiths Association. He and Mark, who is a professional smith located not far from Toronto, have a terrific program lined up complete with a wonderful project I know you will really enjoy.

Kim Thomas is well known for his restoration work on Yellin pieces. He will be discussing these, as well as demonstrating traditional ornamental ironwork.

Andy Chambers is a young local western NY metal artist/blacksmith whose work is fast getting national attention. Andy will demonstrate some of the design and forging techniques that are setting his work apart today.

Other events:

• Saturday evening after dinner we will be having an auction so you can pick up some real treasures!
• A teaching station which we are calling U-Forge will be up and running. We have invited a number of vendors so you can stock up on supplies and equipment.
• A spousal program is being set up with a local artist, Judy Larkin, instructing and assisting in the caning of a stool.
• Jymm Hoffman is offering a one day advanced class on Monday the 26th. This will be limited to eight people and will cover different forging techniques relating to historical and modern work. This will be a great learning experience. Each student will have their own forge and anvil, and lunch will be provided.

The conference is being held at the Worthington Business Center which is located close to the downtown area of Buffalo. This is a very large complex with lots of room for tailgaters, campers, and motor homes. A public park is located next to the complex and arrangements have been made for tent camping. Twenty-four hour security will be in place on the site throughout your stay. Hotels are located close by.

The area boasts several large shopping malls and there are many galleries and museums to see. Niagara Falls and its many attractions is located 30 minutes drive from the site. There is so much to see and do close by for you and your family on this Memorial Day holiday weekend.

A registration form and information links can be found on the conference website: ironfest.nysdb.org

On behalf of the conference steering committee and myself, we look forward to welcoming you to Buffalo. I hope you will take this opportunity to partake in a great conference and to visit a really terrific part of the country. "Hammer on Down, the Anvils are in Our Town!"
See you in May.

Peter Parry, Blacksmith
(905) 894-4843