Blacksmithing and Metal Art – Certificate
Program Details
Certificate in Blacksmithing and Metal Art
Overview
Program Summary
The ancient art of blacksmithing is alive and thriving in the Blacksmithing and Metal Art program with an emphasis on g proper techniques and hands-on studio practice, students move through foundational fabrication and blacksmithing skills, to bladesmithing, tool making, pattern welded steel, and the completion of a portfolio project.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Use foundational skills, tools and time-honoured techniques in metal arts
- Communicate design ideas verbally and visually within an industrial and arts context
- Implement the creative design process through critical design thinking, experimentation, iteration and critique
- Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of marketing and entrepreneurship
- Construct a portfolio of creative works for future employment, education or apprenticeship
- Follow health and safety guidelines for the use of equipment, tools, materials and processes in a studio or shop environment
Program Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
In addition to meeting the general entrance requirements for admission to Selkirk College, an applicant must meet the following Blacksmithing and Metal Art Program entrance requirements:
- English 12, or equivalent, with a minimum of 60%.
- Students whose first language is not English must fulfill the college’s English language proficiency requirement. See Policy 8611: Admissions.
- Submit a completed admission application form and other required documents (i.e., secondary school and any post-secondary transcripts) to the Admissions Office.
Additional Requirements
- Questionnaire
All applicants must complete and submit a questionnaire at least one week prior to their scheduled interview date. The questionnaire helps us to understand the applicant’s interest and commitment to the studio program.
Submit the questionnaire using the Kootenay Studio Arts (KSA) online form.
- Interview
All applicants are required to participate in an interview with a program instructor from KSA. Telephone interviews will be arranged for those applicants who, because of distance, cannot attend in person.
The interview is an opportunity for applicants to introduce themselves, present their work and discuss their interests within the arts. The instructor will assess the applicant’s preparedness for entry into the program and will ask about commitment, goals and expectations, design knowledge, experience and communication skills. It is also an opportunity for applicants to ask any questions they might have about the program and for faculty to recommend upgrading if necessary.
- Portfolio
The portfolio is designed to assess your skill level to help instructors increase your chances of success in your studio program. KSA is looking for a demonstration of visual awareness, creativity and technical skill. The portfolio pieces may be of any medium and they need not be specific to studio preference.
For portfolio guidelines, see our website.
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Before an applicant's file is considered to be complete the following must have been received or marked complete by the admissions office:
a) Completed application form.
b) Official transcripts of high school grades and interim statement of grades is acceptable if applicant is currently a high school student.
c) Official transcripts of all post-secondary education grades.
d) Applicant information questionnaire.
e) Portfolio submission.
f) Interview.
2. Students wishing to enroll in the Blacksmithing Program on a part-time basis may do so providing the same entry requirements as full-time students, as stated in Part A, have been met.
Part-time students are accepted only if space is available after all full-time students are scheduled, and only with permission of the School Chair.
Graduation and Promotion
A. PROMOTION
1. Admission to a given semester requires completion of all required courses with a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00 and no more than one (1) failure grade in the previous semester courses. Any student with more than one (1) failure must have the School Chair's approval to progress to the next semester. Students receiving a final grade of "F" in a prerequisite course will not be allowed to register in a subsequent course requiring that prerequisite.
2. To be qualified for admission into a course which stipulates a prerequisite, a minimum grade of "C" must be achieved in the prerequisite course, unless otherwise specified.
B. GRADUATION
In order to qualify for a Selkirk College Blacksmithing Certificate, a student must complete all of the following courses with a minimum Final Grade of “P” in each course and an overall GPA of 2.00 or better. see Policy 8617: Graduation
Program Courses
Term 1
Required Courses
| BKMA121 | Metal Studio Safety and Devices | 1.00 | 20 |
| BKMA123 | Fabrication Techniques: Welded Forms | 4.00 | 60 |
| BKMA125 | Blacksmithing Foundations | 4.00 | 100 |
| BKMA127 | Primary Toolmaking | 4.00 | 120 |
| PPD101 | Drawing as a Basic Visual Communication | 3.00 | 45 |
Term 2
Required Courses
| BKMA132 | Basic Bladesmithing Skills | 4.00 | 60 |
| BKMA134 | Pattern Welded Steel | 4.00 | 80 |
| BKMA136 | Advanced Tool Making | 4.00 | 80 |
| BKMA138 | Artisan Portfolio Project | 4.00 | 80 |
| PPD111 | Professional Practice and Design | 3.50 | 52.5 |
Additional Program Policies