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Forging in the Ozarks

Enjoy forging, food, and fun at the 2026 ABANA Conference “Forging in the Ozarks”, November 11-14, 2026, at the Benton County Fairgrounds outside Bentonville, Arkansas! The event features:

  • Demos from leading blacksmiths from North America and beyond
  • Beginner Area to try your hand at forging metal
  • Kids Activity Area
  • Education area with demos and hands-on activities focused on the National Blacksmithing Curriculum
  • Craft classes, vendors, lectures, art auction, and more!
Medium: 
Metal
Forging in the Ozarks Blacksmithing Event. Logo by Michael Sherman
Nov 11, 2026 - Nov 14, 2026
Benton County Fairgrounds
7640 SW Regional Airport Blvd 
Bentonville, 
AR 
72712
Michael Peterson (Wichita Falls, Texas, 1952 -), Arbutus, 2004, chainsawn, sandblasted, bleached, and pigmented madrone burl, 10 × 17 × 17 in., Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation Collection: Purchased with a gift from John and Robyn Horn. 2004.032.ab, Photography by Jason Masters.

Material Nature: Gifts from the John and Robyn Horn Collection

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Aug 15, 2026 -
Apr 25, 2027
Exhibitions + Shows
Nicole Seisler. Untitled

Nicole Seisler: Some Truths About Clay

School of Art and Design, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Dec 7, 2025 -
Mar 25, 2026
Exhibitions + Shows
Myra Mimlitsch-Gray, Cloved Oval, copper and brass. Courtesy of Sienna Patti

On Purpose: Myra Mimlitsch-Gray

School of Art and Design, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Jan 20, 2026 -
Mar 29, 2026
Exhibitions + Shows Talks + Conferences
Gertrude Knappenberger, Centennial Quilt, 1876, Cotton with cotton embroidery, 82 1/2 in. x 74 1/2 in. American Folk Art Museum, Gift of Rhea Goodman, 1979.9.1. American Folk Art Museum.

America 250: Common Threads

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Mar 14, 2026 -
Jul 27, 2026
America's 250th Exhibitions + Shows
Visitor shop for unique handcrafted items directly from the master artisans who created them at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Kirk Jordan

Ozark Holidays Craft Show

Ozark Folk Center State Park
Saturday, November 28, 2026
Marketplaces + Festivals
Enjoy live stringband music on the Blacksmith Stage during the Stringband Music & Arts Festival at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Kirk Jordan

Stringband Music & Arts Festival

Ozark Folk Center State Park
Oct 9, 2026 -
Oct 10, 2026
Celebrations + Gatherings
Join working artisans in the Ozark Folk Center State Park for an evening of fun. Kirk Jordan

Handcrafted Evening in the Park

Ozark Folk Center State Park
Friday, July 17, 2026
Artist Open Studio
Vivian Chiu. Burr

Vivian Chiu: Facing

School of Art and Design, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Jan 20, 2026 -
Mar 15, 2026
Exhibitions + Shows