at McMichael Gallery, Kleinburg ON
There are not many traditional skills that draw a crowd they way a working blacksmith does. For older people, the smith rekindles childhood memories of a simpler time. For the children, there is the fascination of seeing glowing metal being shaped. For adults, there is keen interest in the technology and history of the trade. In our modern world, the blacksmith, once a necessity to the community, has all but disappeared. Outside of museums, there are few opportunities for people to see a smith in action. Here is an opportunity for your special event to have a demonstration that is distinctive and that will appeal to everyone.
Darrell Markewitz has been working metal for over 40 years, starting while a student at Ontario College of Art in the late 1970's. Like most smiths of his generation, he is largely self taught. His keen interest in history is combined with traditional skills. These facets were best combined during his five years at Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto, three of which were spent as primary blacksmith for this 1860's historic site. Exceptional abilities as a demonstrator were required, as hundreds of thousands of people visit Black Creek annually. He has been a regular featured demonstrator at the Home County Folk Festival in London and the Earth, Air Celtic Festival in Goderich.
Currently Darrell lives in the farm country of Grey county, just outside of Dundalk, Ontario. He operates a historic reproduction shop called the Wareham Forge. His work is on display in the Museum of Civilization in Hull, as part of the travelling exhibits 'Vikings - North Atlantic Saga' and 'Full Circle - First Contact', and is in daily use at many historic sites throughout Canada. He has demonstrated blacksmithing from Manitoba to Newfoundland in Canada throughout the USA and in Scotland and Northern Europe. As a specialist in the Viking Age, he has provided historical demonstrations at L'Anse aux Meadows NHS and 'Norstead' in Newfoundland.
Demonstrations consist of much more than just working metal. All work is done with traditional equipment, with complete forge set up for a number of historic periods available. Darrell acts a 'voice from the past, with costume and persona echoing the era. Demonstration becomes Education, as technique is blended to artifact which leads to social history. Questions from the audience are encouraged, which in turn directs the flow of conversation. Physical demonstration will make up 60% of the time, but its rare to find a gap in interaction with the audience. Typically the interpretation will run the entire time your event is in progress (usually it proves difficult to get any lunch!) For Medieval theme events, the entire interpretation will centre around the Norse, circa 1000 AD, with special emphasis on the Norse colony in Newfoundland, and the evolution of iron working technology.
What does a smithing demonstration look like ? - Set up at the McMichael Gallery in 2005.
Specialist technical demonstrations are also
available for those involved in either the museum field
or artisan blacksmithing.
Darrell has been involved in international projects in
Scotland, Denmark and the USA. He has been a featured
demonstrator at CanIRON 4 (Annapolis Royal NS) and 8
(Trois Rivieres PQ), at Artisan Blacksmith's events in
Ontario, Michigan and Ohio. He is one of the core team
leaders of the Early
Iron series of workshop symposiums. He has presented
lectures at academic conferences, at universities and to
both the general publiic and specalist blacksmith and
historical focussed groups.
(More information is available under Museum Services - Please ask for
a detailed CV.)
