Artist-Blacksmiths Association of North America Inc

The Alex Bealer Award is the most significant and prestigious award given by ABANA. The purpose of the award is to honor the recipient for “service to the field of blacksmithing.” This covers a broad range and is not only service to ABANA but serves to keep Alex Bealer’s name alive in the blacksmithing world. The award is given when the ABANA Board of Directors deems it appropriate and the Board follows the committee’s recommendations of awarding it once a year although the Board could present the award more or less often

The committee looks for people who have served in the field of blacksmithing and made a significant impact and contribution in the field of blacksmithing. The recipient should show a quasi-historical perspective to see how the field has progressed, grown, and developed, due to the recipient. It is not awarded to the most popular person in the field on a given year, nor is the award even something someone can try to “win.”