07/26/2026
The 2027 CBA Spring Conference will be held at the San Benito Fairgrounds near Hollister on April 22-25, 2027.
We are developing an exciting demonstrator lineup: Jodie Bliss from Bliss Studio Custom Metalwork in Colorado will be making a sculpture, and Mathew Christiano from Reno Forge will be showing some curved stair-making tricks he learned working with Pete Matilla in Tasmania. We’ll have Salem Straub doing a knife-making demonstration. Jon Sarriugarte of Form & Reform will discuss and demonstrate how to build light fixtures. There is a strong possibility of an enameling workshop.
Our incredible Education Committee, starring Victoria Ritter, Becky Schimpf, and Mark Aspery, will have about 20 forges going. Our international guests will be Guille Morales from Forja Viva in Spain and Yukio & Chikako Kanari from Japan.
The fairground is a beautiful site which supports RV, car, and tent camping. RV hook-ups are available for a fee, but all other camping is free with your registration. Let me say that again, free camping!
This is a call for volunteers. As always, we need all the help we can get. There are many ways to help out, from planning to setting up to breaking down and loading out. Getting involved in the conferences is the best way to get to know the CBA community/family.
Contact Cathy Weurtz, our volunteer coordinator, by filling out this form https://bit.ly/4wf97zD or by following this QR code.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering! Volunteering at conference is a great way to meet other smiths and become a more connected member of the blacksmith community. Please complete this form to help us match you with the best opportunities.
