Honorable Mention: Garry Kalajian, Traditional Blacksmith, Bradford

Garry Kalajian completed his Master of Arts in Environmental Education from Montclair State College in Montclair, NJ and his Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. Kalajian has been a full time blacksmith for almost 20 years and is the proprietor of Ararat Forge. He specializes in traditional hand forging, including forge welding techniques. His traditional forms include hardware for doors, light fixtures, fireplace andirons, screens, and utensils and items for kitchen use. He has been a resident artist at Holderness School since 2007 and the lead instructor at Sanborn Mills Farm in Loudon since 2005, an organization devoted to teaching 19th century skills. Kalajian has been awarded four Apprenticeship grants from the State Arts Council, three as a master artist and one as an apprentice.

Kalajian has been a juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen since 1995 and he frequently demonstrates at the League Fair and other public events. He is a member and former chairman of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Standards Committee. Kalajian is on the State Arts Council’s Traditional Arts & Folklife Listing.

(Photo by Audrey V. Sylvester)

Last updated: July 10, 2012