The art of metal: DeKalb man makes a hobby as a blacksmith

While working in his garage on Tuesday afternoon, Chris Hubbard of DeKalb looks into his forge as a piece of steel begins to glow orange. Pieces of Hubbard's work can be purchased at the Art at Ellwood art fair and sale at DeKalb's Ellwood House Museum Sunday. (Rob Winner - rwinner@daily-chronicle.com)

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Temperatures in the mid 90s and stifling humidity last week didn’t stop Chris Hubbard from manning his homemade metal forge, burning at temperatures as high as 2,800 degrees. Hubbard, a DeKalb resident who also works as a biology professor at Northern Illinois University, is a blacksmith in his spare time, and practices his craft in his garage turned metal shop.

You might think such extreme weather would have moved Hubbard to take a few days off from his work of heating, bending and pounding metal. But that just wouldn’t have been an option for Hubbard, who will show and sell some of his work at the 37th annual Art at Ellwood art fair and sale Sunday at the Ellwood House Museum in DeKalb.

Hubbard’s unique metal wares will take their place among paintings, prints, sculpture, photography and other projects by 65 area artists and artisan crafters at the show, which will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Hubbard, who has shown his work at the show for about eight years, uses both old and new techniques to create what he’s after. He often takes old items like table tops and fits them with new metal structures to give them a whole new look and use. Another primary aspect of his hobby is the history of blacksmithing itself. Telling of the day when blacksmiths were integral parts to every village in the land, Hubbard explains the historical role of the blacksmith with reverence and respect. Over time, he said, with the industrialization of modern society, the blacksmith’s role shifted from one of utility to one of artistry and craft.

Today, the blacksmith’s work can be easily misunderstood by the general public.

“People think it’s all banging on metal, but it takes a few years to learn to make the metal do what you want it to,” Hubbard said, explaining the challenges that come with learning the craft. “The first four or five years, you take perfectly good steel and turn it into junk.”

Hubbard also is especially interested in period metal work – what the old smiths did. One example of this interest can be illustrated in a fairly recent project. A friend of Hubbard’s came across a metal piece at a flea market, labeled as a metal “doo-dad.” That metal doo-dad was actually a centuries-old cooking tool, and likely worth several thousand dollars, Hubbard said. With that piece, though, he recreated his own version using his own methods, to produce a modern replica of a historical artifact.

Not only does his interest in cultural history play into the craft, but the tools by which he carries out the hobby are actually a part of history themselves. Much of his equipment, such as anvils, hammers and large metal tongs, is from the late 1800s and 1900s. He still uses it all he says, adding that many of these tools remain in great condition. It works perfectly for Hubbard though, who takes satisfaction from the experience of reliving the work of the blacksmiths who came before him.

“The techniques that I’m using are pretty much the same as what the old smiths used,” he said. “’This is my time machine,’ I tell people.”

Another aspect of the hobby that Hubbard indulges in is the entertainment factor his work can provide people. Last weekend, he played a Civil War-era blacksmith at a Franklin Grove re-enactment. Just as he enjoys the “time-traveling” aspect of the hobby, Hubbard suspects people enjoy observing him for the way it takes them back in time too.

“People just like to watch this,” he said, adding with a smile how he likes to tell kids that “I get to play with fire and my mom doesn’t say anything.”

Art at Ellwood set for Sunday

The 37th annual Art at Ellwood art fair and sale at DeKalb’s Ellwood House Museum, will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Sixty-five artists and artisan crafters from Illinois and throughout the Midwest will exhibit their original work in booths on the grounds of Ellwood Park.

Paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, handcrafted jewelry, basketry, fiber arts, metalwork and folk art are among the work that can be observed. There is no admission fee for this juried show, in which all pieces are for sale.

Visitors also can get lunch and snacks in the Ellwood House gardens, where food vendors will sell various types of food. Folk-rock duo Patchouli will entertain throughout the day near the front of Ellwood House.

Art at Ellwood is a major fundraiser for the nonprofit Ellwood House Association, which operates the museum in conjunction with the DeKalb Park District. Ellwood House is located at 509 N. First St. in DeKalb. For more information, call 815-756-4609 or visit www.ellwoodhouse.org.

If you go

Art at Ellwood art fair and sale

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday

Ellwood House Museum, 509 N. First St., DeKalb

For more information, call 815-756-4609 or visit www.ellwoodhouse.org