Charity Hall

Kinetic Sculpture: Think. Design. Build.

July 26 - 31, 2026

Open to All Skill Levels

Metals, Automata, Special Topics

Overview

Learn to create small, interactive kinetic sculptures and automata in this fabrication-intensive workshop. Dive into the world of metalsmithing and mixed media as you build your own moveable art using copper, brass, silver, and steel, along with alternative materials like wood, stone, and paper. This class is perfect for anyone interested in jewelry, sculpture, or mixed media art who wants to explore mechanisms and movement. Through hands-on practice, students will learn to fabricate essential components like hinges, crankshafts, and levers. Students will begin by creating a kinetic sample to master basic mechanisms, and will then apply these skills to build their own unique desktop or wall-mounted interactive sculpture. Unleash your imagination and learn through demonstrations, discussions, and personal experimentation. All skill levels are welcome.

Course Fee : $760.00

Scholarships & Material Fees

Need help covering workshop costs? Arrowmont offers financial aid opportunities to broaden access to our arts and craft programs. We believe a diverse community enriches the learning experience for all.

Material fees are not included in our national workshop costs, but are included with the cost of our winter short workshops. A material list with estimated costs will be emailed about 30 days before the national workshop begins.

TUITION & FEES

SCHOLARSHIPS

Cost Breakdown

Registration Fee

$50.00

One Week Workshop Tuition

$760.00

Estimated Cost*
*Fees exclude housing and meal plans

$810.00

VIEW HOUSING & MEAL PLAN COSTS

Artist Bio

Charity Hall

Charity Hall is an enamelist and metalsmith based in Blacksburg, Virginia. Her work uses metal, enamel, and stones to create biologically inspired jewelry, drawing on her background as a botanist and her interest in the intricate relationships between art and science. Charity earned her MFA in Metal Design from East Carolina University in 2008 and has since taught metalworking and design at Pima Community College and various other universities, craft schools, and guilds around the United States. A member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, her work has been featured in publications like American Craft Magazine, Behind the Brooch, and 500 Enameled Objects. Her pieces have also been showcased in numerous juried and solo exhibitions.

Artist Website

Explore the Metals Studio

With views that overlook our wood hillside, the Metal Studio is located in our main Turner Building. Central aisles of dedicated workbenches, with a bank of windows on one side and vented multi-use tables for casting, soldering, and finishing on the other. This vaulted studio is a jeweler’s favorite. Ideal for smaller metal work of all kinds, the long narrow space includes hammer and machine rooms, outdoor covered porch for larger fabrication, and a shared kiln room with the Glass Studio.

Explore the Metals Studio