Bladesmithing school to bring celebrities to festival
HOPE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas (Hope-Texarkana) James Black School of Bladesmithing and Historic Trades will host a meet and greet event with Doug Marcaida and James Neilson in April before the Inaugural James Black’s Bowie Heritage Festival.
Tickets are available now to meet and greet the two “Forged in Fire” television celebrities on Friday, April 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Brunson House in Washington, Arkansas.
“Doug Marcaida and James Neilson are famous for their success in knifemaking and are both unique personalities on History Channel’s ‘Forged In Fire,’” said Anna Powell, executive director of Institutional Advancement. “They have hundreds of thousands of followers on social media and are great contributors to the entertainment community.”
Doug Marcaida is a U.S. military veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force for eight years and then pursued a career as a respiratory therapist for 20 years, all the while teaching and honing his skills as a Filipino martial artist. Marcaida is also an edged weapon combat specialist who designs some of the world’s deadliest blades.
James “J.” Neilson has been making knives for more than 20 years and is a renowned bladesmith globally. He was recognized in 2008 when he achieved the rank of Mastersmith from the American Bladesmith Society, a title held by less than 115 people worldwide.
On Saturday, April 23, the City of Washington, Arkansas, in partnership with the UAHT Foundation and Historic Washington State Park, will host the Inaugural James Black’s Bowie Heritage Festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival will celebrate James Black, the bladesmith who forged the first Bowie Knife for Jim Bowie in Washington, and promote a variety of Arkansas heritage crafts and trades.
The festival will feature an original James Black Bowie Knife exhibit, world-famous master bladesmiths, a cutting competition, a knife show, a kids’ corner, heritage arts & crafts, food, music and more.
Powell said bladesmithing has grown in popularity since the show “Forged in Fire.”
“It is a form of art and as the art industry grows this niche market becomes more defined,” she said. “Bladesmiths, after certification, have the opportunity to engage in entrepreneurship and handcraft knives to enhance their income.”
Tickets for the meet and greet event are $125.
(For more information or to purchase tickets, call the UA Hope-Texarkana Foundation at 870-722-8549.)