Entry No. 38 — the Cincinnati file — filed under: blacksmithing
ArtsConnect
Located at the Springfield Township Community Arts Center, ArtsConnect hosts specialized 'Fireside Fridays' blacksmithing workshops in an outdoor forge setup.
The story
You wouldn't expect an open-air iron forge to operate directly behind municipal buildings in Springfield Township, but ArtsConnect—the local non-profit arts council—built an outdoor blacksmithing pavilion right on the grounds at 9158 Winton Road. While the main center handles pottery and traditional arts inside, the courtyard perimeter is where hot iron stock gets pulled straight out of roaring open fires.
Their 'Fireside Fridays' workshops trade soft date-night tropes for heavy metal work. Couples and pairs share an anvil, gripping tongs and swinging cross-peen hammers to beat glowing steel into intertwined hearts, bottle openers, or decorative centerpieces. It's loud, soot-stained, and genuinely physical.
Once the hammer strikes stop and the steel cures, the atmosphere turns relaxed around the outdoor firepits. You can sit back with a beer or glass of wine right beside the forge, admiring an object of solid iron that you hammered into existence yourself.
What it's like
Arriving at the Springfield Township Community Arts Center behind the municipal fire station, you'll hear the ringing of hammers on anvils long before you reach the outdoor forge pavilion. Expect genuine heat and physical exertion as you maneuver glowing iron stock in pairs. Safety is strict: you must wear closed-toe shoes and 100% natural cotton clothing, as flying sparks will melt right through synthetic fabrics. Bring a water bottle for the heat, and budget time to linger around the firepits with a drink afterward while your handiwork cools down.
The move: Work together over a shared anvil with tongs and cross-peen hammers to heat iron stock in open fire and forge intertwined steel hearts or custom bottle openers.
- 📍 Springfield Township
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 9158 Winton Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45231
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Native Moon Apothecary — Located just two miles away in Mount Healthy, this mother-daughter herbal shop offers custom tea blends and ancestral salve recipes to soothe your hands after swinging heavy hammers over the forge.
- Neusole Glassworks — Under five miles north in Forest Park, this non-profit hot shop trades glowing iron stock for 2,000°F molten glass if you want to extend your high-heat crafting outing.
- SpongeBob SquarePants Gravestones — Situated four miles south in Spring Grove Heights, these two 7,000-pound carved cartoon monuments offer an absurd, surreal contrast to an evening spent coaxing raw iron over open flames.
- Dexter Mausoleum at Spring Grove Cemetery — Four and a half miles south, this 1869 Gothic Revival crypt built for a whiskey baron provides a historic, moody architectural contrast after spending the evening at an outdoor blacksmith forge.
Good to know
Where is the ArtsConnect blacksmithing forge located?
It is situated in the outdoor blacksmithing studio at the Springfield Township Community Arts Center, located at 9158 Winton Road in Cincinnati.
What should I wear to a Fireside Friday blacksmithing workshop?
You must wear closed-toe shoes and 100% cotton clothing. Synthetic fabrics can melt when exposed to high heat and stray sparks from the forge.
Do I need previous metalworking experience to participate?
No prior experience is necessary; instructors guide you through forge operation, safety, and proper hammer and tong techniques.
What projects do participants make during the class?
Couples work over a shared anvil to forge items like intertwined steel heart chains, custom bottle openers, or centerpieces.
Is alcohol permitted during or after the session?
After completing your forging session, you can purchase a beer or glass of wine to enjoy while relaxing around the outdoor firepits.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site
last checked: 2026-07-21