Entry No. 45 — the Spokane file — filed under: hands-on
Columbia Fire & Iron
A Spokane nonprofit built to keep the craft of blacksmithing and metal art alive across eastern Washington and the Inland Northwest. They run beginner sessions and open-forge afternoons, including a Spring Hammer-In and free classes through the Spokane County Library. This is the community-forge route: more grassroots and gear-heads-welcome than a polished date package, but a genuine way to swing a hammer alongside working smiths. Sessions are event-based, so timing matters.
The story
Columbia Fire & Iron skips the polished boutique-workshop aesthetic in favor of actual soot, heavy anvils, and working smiths. Operating as a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by artist and public sculptor Mallory Battista, the organization exists for a single purpose: keeping the practical, raw craft of blacksmithing alive throughout eastern Washington and the Inland Northwest.
Rather than tethering themselves to a slick commercial storefront, the group runs a mobile blacksmithing program—boosted by a Spokane Arts Grant Award (SAGA)—that lets them haul real forging gear right into public spaces. They anchor public workshops, free community sessions, and multi-day Hammer-Ins at spots like The Hive, making real metalwork accessible to anyone willing to lift a hammer.
What it's like
Don't come expecting complimentary wine or a sanitized corporate teambuilding vibe. A session here smells like hot steel and propane fire, punctuated by the sharp rhythm of hammers striking anvils. You'll step into a high-energy, gear-head environment where seasoned smiths stand shoulder-to-shoulder with total novices. Because events run on strict block times—like morning beginner sessions and afternoon open forges—you get straight to work learning heat management, hammer technique, and basic shaping.
The move: Catch a beginner morning at a Hammer-In and spend the afternoon at an open forge making your first iron hooks.
📍 Before you go Offerings are event-driven (Hammer-Ins, library classes, open forge days) rather than always-on; check their calendar for the next session.
- 📍 Spokane
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Petunia & Loomis — Trade the heat of the forge for cold oddities by heading downtown to browse wet specimens and taxidermy at Spokane's year-round cabinet of curiosities.
- Kukio Metalsmith Workshops — Follow up heavy anvil work with fine jewelry crafting in a converted barn loft south of town.
- Glass Gods Flame Working Studio — Swap hot iron for molten borosilicate by watching glass get pulled and shaped over a high-temp torch in Spokane Valley.
Good to know
Can I walk in anytime during regular weeknight hours?
No. Columbia Fire & Iron operates strictly on an event basis—including open forge days, library workshops, and scheduled Hammer-Ins—so you must consult their online event calendar before showing up.
Do I need any prior blacksmithing experience to attend?
Not at all. Their beginner sessions are designed specifically for first-timers, guiding you through basic safety and fundamental techniques as you forge simple items like iron hooks.
Where do their events take place?
Locations shift depending on the event schedule; thanks to their mobile blacksmithing setup, they frequently partner with community spaces like The Hive through the Spokane County Library system.
Is this a commercial business or a club?
It is a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to community education and preserving regional metal arts.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · spokanearts.org · inlander.com · mallorybattista.com
last checked: 2026-06-24