the story
During a midlife sabbatical, Steve discovered the colourful world of blacksmithing in Belgium. Upon return, with two big anvils and a legvice under his belt, Steve set up a forge in Footscray's Rivers Edge arts precinct to share his love for the craft.
Operating from one of the few remaining council supported arts spaces in the west, Waterside delivers a wide range of learning experiences with the help of dedicated staff and some of Australia’s finest guest teachers.

Steve philips DIRECTOR
Steve has a degree in Earth Sciences and after 20 years, working as a consultant he decided to do something more hands-on and fun.
Since then, he has studied blacksmithing at the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, obtained a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and is currently completing a Certificate in Industrial Blacksmithing at TAFENSW. Uniquely gregarious by nature, setting up a teaching facility was a logical step.

Lute philips CO DIRECTOR & CREATIVE
Formally trained as an architect, Lute initially joined the studio in an administrative capacity to reign in Estebana's chaos.
As Co-Director, Lute manages the business and nurtures her creative side by designing and creating a contemporary jewellery collection Corpus Luteum.