Everything has history, the AACB has had a relationship with John C. Campbell Folk School that is multigenerational and we look forward to continuing this relationship. In times past, blacksmiths have supported the Folk School by doing projects, participating in Work Week, attending the Hammer-In and teaching Blacksmith classes.

During the early Hammer-In events, the blacksmiths forged items to be auctioned to raise money to support the Blacksmith Shop. Then it evolved into the Blacksmith & Fine Craft Auction as a fundraiser for the school.

As of late, there have been several of our projects that required a lot of time and these projects have had good results at the Fine Arts Auction.

During a conversation with Jack Wheeler about these results, he told me that in the past the Folk School had offered a Scholarship to be awarded to one of our AACB members.

After conferring with Bethany Chaney, Executive Director of John C. Campbell Folk School, she has graciously given a scholarship to be awarded to one of our participants of the Hammer-In. This scholarship will be for a week long class tuition, housing and meals and will be awarded based on membership and substantial participation on a Hammer-In project that is to be donated to the Blacksmith and Craft Auction.

As always, there will be stipulations along with being awarded the scholarship. The recipient of the scholarship will be required to write an article concerning what they learned in the class and also conduct a demonstration on the class topic for one of the local forge groups within a six month window after taking the class.

The Hammer-In will begin November 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

If you have any questions concerning the scholarship please text so we can schedule a call. HLGravitt@charter.net or 423 240 4475

The scholarship application will need to be submitted by November 20,2026 for consideration.

You may print the application here and mail it in or submitt the form below:

Mail Scholarship Application to:

Herb Gravitt

801 Oak Lawn Drive

Jasper, TN 37347