C. Carl Jennings
Cecil Carl Jennings, commonly known as C. Carl Jennings, was an American visual artist, metalworker, blacksmith, and educator. He owned El Diablo Forge, later known as C. Carl Jennings Metalsmith in Northern California. Jennings was named a Fellow of the American Craft Council in 1988.
Life and career
Cecil Carl Jennings was born on April 10, 1910, in Marion, Illinois. He was a third generation blacksmith; both his father, John Washington Jennings, and his grandfather, William Parish Jennings, were blacksmiths.He graduated in 1934 from California College of [Arts and Crafts] in Oakland, where he studied under and Jacques Schnier. He completed an apprenticeship under John Forester.
During World War II, he worked at Naval Air Station Alameda as a welder and metalworker.
Jennings was the owner of El Diablo Forge that opened in 1947 in Lafayette, California as a coal forge, in 1965 the business converted to a gas forge for health reasons, and by 1969 it was moved to 3500 Westach Way in Sonoma, California. With the move his business name was changed to C. Carl Jennings Metalsmith, and they acquired of land. Jennings was known for his creation of architectural details, like iron railings, and light fixtures.
In 1973, Jennings served as one of the judges for the California State Fair art show. Jennings was named a Fellow of the American Craft Council in 1988. He was a member of the Metal Arts Guild of Northern California, and a founding member of the California Blacksmith Association.
Jennings work can be found in collections, including at the San Francisco Arts Commission.