Chris Winterstein

Chris Winterstein began smithing in 1995 at the Penland School of Crafts, in North Carolina. After stealing much of his blacksmithing education basics while working days for the school, and taking more classes at Penland and the Campbell Folk School, Chris went to work at the National Ornamental Metals Museum in Memphis beginning in 1998. In 2000, after completing the Museum internship, he worked briefly for John Medwedeff and Scott Lankton before returning to Penland where he has run the iron studio since 2001. In 2003 he began setting up his own shop in nearby Bakersville, NC, where Chris and an assistant continue to explore forging through architectural commissions and furniture. Chris is proud to serve as a member of the ABANA board of directors.