June 8-14, 2008
deposit due by April 8th
final deadline May 1st

October 26 - November 1st 2008
deposit due by August 26th
final deadline September 22nd

A hands-on welding
and blacksmithing
retreat for women.

Click here to see a video from the
2004 Women's Welding Workshop.

This week long workshop/retreat encompasses:

1. Welding and blacksmithing instruction
2. Materials
3. Field Trips
4. Lodging at the Historic Mabel Dodge Luhan House
5. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners
6. Hotsprings
7. Foundry tour in Santa Fe

About the Class

Christina has been teaching Women's Welding Workshops since 1996, promoting metal as a tangible medium for all to tackle. This workshop is founded on providing a non competitive and comfortable environment where students can familiarize themselves with welding and forging tools at their own pace. This is an introductory workshop. Any familiarity with tools can be helpful, but no previous experience is required. All students will learn basic metallurgy, welding with an oxyacetylene set up, welding with electric arc welders (SMAW, MIG), learning how to cut metal and basic forging. Students will create a project that will incorporate the methods they are learning in this course.

Course Schedule
(subject to fine tuning)

• June 8-14, 2008 or October 26 - November 1, 2008
  
  Sunday: arrive, check in and orientation
  Monday: morning orientation, first class at Spitfire Forge
  Tuesday: class at Spitfire Forge, evening soak at the Ojo Caliente Bath and Mineral Springs
  Wednesday: class at Spitfire Forge, evening discussion
  Thursday: morning class and guest lecturer/field trip
  Friday: class, movie, final critique and group dinner
  Saturday: morning field trip to Shidoni Foundry in Santa Fe and workshop wrap up, departure
  

Cost

Cost is $1850 for entire package. This includes instruction, all materials, field trips, guest lecture, local transportation, lodging for six nights, breakfast,catered lunches and graduation dinner. Discounts on massage and yoga will be available.
Space is limited to 10 people.
Late registration is based on availability with an additional $200 fee.

Registration

Click here for Registration Form

About the Retreat

The location, the B&B experience, the food, combined with excursions to hot springs, mineral baths, and scenic drives to field trips makes this an ideal retreat as well as a workshop. After class, enjoy a massage, yoga class, or a peaceful walk around the Taos Plaza. Taos has an abundance of really good restaurants that offer world cuisine, some of which will host our group dinners. Hot lunches will be catered at the Forge all days that have class. Two group dinners are included. Taos is nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at 7000ft above sea level. The closest airport is in Albuquerque, 130 miles south of Taos. There are many shuttles from the airport as well as a small commuter plane from Albuquerque to Taos. Car rental is available at the Taos airport. Reservations are recommended.

Lodging

Relax for six nights at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House, right in the heart of Taos. This beautiful Bed & Breakfast is designated as a National Historic Landmark and has always been a place for artists, writers, activists and thinkers to congregate. From being described in the writings of D.H. Lawrence, to housing many distinguished guests like Emma Goldman, Alfred Steiglitz, Bob Dylan and Alan Watts, the Mabel Dodge Luhan House was purchased by Dennis Hopper in the 1970's and is still the perfect retreat in Taos. It is within walking distance to the Taos Plaza and its' many galleries, restaurants, cafe's, and shops. For more history go to: www.mabeldodgeluhan.com

First-Hand Accounts

I have many fond memories of the workshop. I am still a working doctor. I would like to share this: as a doctor I can biopsy a woman's breast, stitch up a finger, stick a needle or catheter in any body part, dissect a cadaver...but you and the workshop experience made me unafraid to pick up a power tool, use a grinder, light an acetylene torch (much stronger than a bunsen burner) and weld a seam with a pretty bead...and to respect my creativity. Thank you.
Dr. Jane Testa, New York City

The Women's Welding Workshop was a very empowering experience. Christina takes the time to impart the basic knowledge necessary to move rapidly into the active world of forging and welding. Her one on one instruction due to the intimate class size is paramount to quick learning. My original thoughts about working with steel were that it was a slow process, however I was blown away at the "instant gratification" of working with this medium. How much fun and with what ease the art comes to you, whether you are more apt to be artistic or pragmatic, is a benefit that spurs you on to more work. I immediately created my own shop after taking this class and even though I'm not in it every day and sometimes have months when I can't get in it, her teaching material is so comprehensive that I can read it again and instantly use any equipment without concern. She makes it all so exciting and safe there are no worries that you can continue this beyond the workshop. Anyone who is interested in forging and welding should make this your primary learning tool.
Catherine Long, Taos New Mexico

I would like to mention that I am an experienced metal worker who learned a great deal about Blacksmithing. The different finishing techniques, as well as detailed inlays I found really exciting. I enjoyed the experience very much and highly recommend the workshop to women who want to experience the feeling of creating a piece of art out of metal. Good luck!
Jennifer Gammon Class of 2004

Contact

For more information about the workshop, please email Christina at:
spitfire4rg@yahoo.com

Please send your completed Registration Forms to:

Christina Sporrong
Post Office Box 658
El Prado, New Mexico 87529