Many of the members of the Philip Simmons Artist-Blacksmith Guild of South Carolina participated in a gate building workshop, led by our namesake Mr. Simmons, On September 22 and 28. The gate was designed by Mr. Simmons and previously auctioned off to raise money for the Humanities Foundation's ShelterNet Program. The workshop was held at the School of the Building Arts at the old jail in Charleston. The following members participated in building the gate: Bobby Branton, Charlie Sherman, Mike DuBois, Bruce Hester, John Lane, Neal Lynch, John Outlaw, Travis Rosche, Phil Rosche, Jimmy Suggs, John Tanner, Ed Tinsley, Michael Tucker, Maurice Veronee, and Randy Way. The group was kept busy by Mr. Simmons, measuring, cutting, forging, fitting, and welding.  The following pictures are courtesy of Bruce Hester and Travis Rosche.

The start of the gate.

Jimmy Suggs working on one of the scrolls.

Phil Rosche straightening out one of the bars.

Jimmy working on another of the scrolls as Neal Lynch and John Outlaw observe.

Ed Tinsley fitting some of the scrolls in place.

Click here to see the pictures from the second day.