ABANA

About

The Artist-Blacksmith's Association of North America (ABANA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves as North America's largest blacksmithing community, dedicated to preserving, promoting, and advancing blacksmithing as both a profession and craft. Founded in 1973, ABANA provides comprehensive educational opportunities, technical resources, and professional development for blacksmiths, artisans, and metalworking enthusiasts across the continent. The organization's cornerstone program is the ABANA National Curriculum, a nationally recognized educational pathway that teaches, evaluates, and certifies blacksmiths in traditional forging skills while also training instructors. This structured certification program helps elevate skills throughout the blacksmithing community and distinguishes practitioners who have acquired advanced competencies at each curriculum level. ABANA offers extensive member benefits including educational workshops, technical publications, grants and awards programs, conferences, and exhibitions that showcase excellence in the metal arts. The association works to increase awareness of blacksmithing among design professionals, architects, and the general public through demonstrations, exhibitions, and educational outreach. With local affiliate organizations throughout North America, ABANA connects individual blacksmiths with their regional communities while providing access to national resources, continuing education opportunities, and professional networking within the metalworking trades.

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