The Metal Shops
aka “The Nut House”
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Founded by Ace Wang, Dan Strano, and Jim Halloway in 2023, the Straffan Forge Knife Collective create a range of high-end Damascus steel folded knives. The collective originated from students of master bladesmith, Branwell who made specialty knives for decades, and when he retired he gifted his tools to his students, who now share shop space and inspiration to make gorgeous, functional knives of all shapes and sizes.
The Straffan Forge Knife Collective is located in the Black Walnut Studio.
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Run by Teo Aceto, master-blacksmith and student of Durand Van Dorn. Teo has been smithing for over a decade and inherited his mentor's ability to bring whimsy and grace into functional large-scale pieces.
Teo specializes in wrought iron railings, handles, benches, hooks, and unique requests.
Crepuscular Forge is located in the Hickory Studio.
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From a career in industrial iron work to full-time artisan and jack-of-all trades, Chris's Shop specializes in eye-catching pieces of flair and commercial welding. Examples include the Two Goats Brewing Sign, JR Dill's giant corkscrew sculpture, Van Noble Farm's pig roaster, and Osmote Winery's bar.
The Pro Shop is located in the Chestnut Studio.
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Acorn is a shared metal shop room with the two adjoining studios Hickory and Chestnut.
Acorn was the space occupied by Parker Studios run by blacksmith David Parker for over a decade.
In 1998 Durand Van Doren became the third artist to move into a studio space at ARQ. Over the following decades Durand’s Forge and and his International School of Blacksmithing, produced hundreds of works that can be found across the Southern Tier. From gates, arches, railings, hooks, handles, lamps, chairs, benches, beds, and so much more, Durand re-defined the structure of metal work through his innovative approach to shaping metal. (Explore the “Art at ARQ” page for some highlights!)
Durand’s Forge was also a key destination as the western most point on the Greater Ithaca Art Trail for many years, and the host of the legendary winter Pie Party from the 2000’s-2018.
The Metal Shops at ARQ consist of four studios spread across two outbuildings by the main ARQ Barn (no “fire arts” are permitted in the main structure). Durand’s Forge (Hickory) was taken over by his long-time student Teo Aceto in 2021 and Chris Langenberg, another student of Durand’s and career Union iron-worker from Michigan, took ownership of Chestnut, Acorn, and Black Walnut Studios during the early 2020s.
The Black Walnut space after years of being the “show room” for Durand’s Forge was rebuilt by the Straffan Forge Knife Collective in the spring of 2023. The Straffan Forge Knife Collective produces hand hammered Damascus steel knives and serving implements.
Photograph of Durand Van Doren by Zoe Van Nostrand for her high school photography class ca. 2009. Hickory space.