Honor Phillip Baldwin: Endowed Scholarship in Metalsmithing

In August 2023, Phillip Baldwin passed away unexpectedly after an emergent neurosurgery. He was a master metalsmith and owner of Shining Wave Metals, LTD, where he produced Mokume Gane for jewelers around the world as well as for his own work. He was also a renowned bladesmith whose knives, swords, axes, and other edge tools were widely collected.

He was generous with his knowledge and shared what he knew in many ways. One of his loves was teaching. He frequently lectured on his research and his work at conferences and was a sought-after workshop teacher.

His favorite place to teach was Penland School. He was regularly invited to give workshops in the Blacksmithing studio and looked forward to spending time with students and friends there. He also donated regularly to the annual Penland Auction and supported a number of his studio assistants to take workshops there to further their own artistic development.

I have been working to set up a Scholarship Endowment in Phillip's name and a friend suggested that I open this up to people who knew him and his work and who would be interested in supporting my effort.

This endowed scholarship will provide support for a student in ironsmithing, blacksmithing, and/or metalsmithing, paying for their tuition, housing, and materials for a workshop at Penland School.

My initial investment needs to be $75,000. I’m hoping to be able to set up the Endowment by August 3, which would have been Phillip’s 72nd birthday. This fundraising goal is $15,000 but I have been saving and hope to have the balance available by Phillip's birthday. I believe that it would be a fitting gift.

Thank you each and all for your contributions and your support of Phillip's work and his legacy. Please share this with anyone who you think may be interested.

again, thanks

Layne