On exhibit January 23 – April 12, 2009, this extraordinary exhibition took the form of a dialogue between James Wallace, Brent Kington, and Richard Quinnell - three of the most influential artists in the development of the Metal Museum and in the revival of blacksmithing in both the United States and the United Kingdom. 

James Wallace, former director of the Metal Museum, played a key role in the advancement of blacksmithing as an art form and has served as central figure in the metals community as an artist, museum director, curator and historian.

Brent Kington, Emeritus Professor, Blacksmithing/Metalsmithing at Southern Illinois University, is credited with introducing blacksmithing as an art form in contemporary metalsmithing.  He has served as teacher, mentor and friend to Wallace. 

Richard Quinnell is best known to friends of the Metal Museum for designing and fabricating the 10th Anniversary Gates.  Quinnell has been a key figure in the revival of blacksmithing in the United Kingdom, and was responsible for the foundation of the British Artist Blacksmiths Association.

Kington has been honored as a Master Metalsmith with solo exhibitions at the Museum. This will be the first time significant bodies of work by Wallace and Quinnell have been shown at the Museum.  

The exhibition was scheduled to coincide with the Metal Museum’s 30th Anniversary.