Artists Blacksmiths Association of NSW  (ABA) vice-president Craig Drew said the two American master blacksmiths spent a week in the city, running demonstrations, workshops and classes.

Professor Rick Smith of Carbondale, Illinois, and Jason York of Nashville, Tennessee, showed 40 members of the ABA NSW how to create a metal artwork, before the participants tried to emulate the masters.

Masterclasses were also held throughout the week, with association members travelling from as far away as Victoria and the NSW North Coast.

Professor Smith is from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and travels around the world running masterclasses, creating works from what he sees in his travels.

Mr Drew said all the participants had blacksmithing skills, but the workshops were a real challenge for many.

“We really haven’t seen a lot of this stuff at this level,” he said.

“People say it is a dying art, but there is a real resurgence and it is very much alive and well.”

The ABA NSW has 120 members, the Victorian association has a similar number and there is also a group in South Australia.

“It’s not just for men, either, with plenty of young ones and women among our ranks,” Mr Drew said.

It was the first time a week-long master-class had been held in Tamworth.