Cam Plunkett is a multidisciplinary artist and designer from Commerce, Texas. He graduated from East Texas A&M University in 2002 with a degree in Art, specializing in Design Communications. As a student, Cam received awards from the American Institute of Graphic Arts and later became the graphic designer for East Texas A&M, where he was responsible for designing all of the university’s in-house publications.

During his time at the university, Cam worked on a wide range of design projects and earned the Texas Public Relations Association’s “Best of Texas” Silver Spur Award for his work.

In 2014, Cam took his first class at the John C. Campbell Folk School with his wife and fell in love with blacksmithing and the overall Folk School experience. He went on to deepen his education in the craft by attending courses through the American Bladesmith Society, ABANA, and the Folk School itself, where he had the privilege of learning from blacksmithing legends such as Clay Spencer.

Cam became a Folk School instructor in 2019 and now teaches two classes each year—one focused on chef’s knives and another on axes. As an instructor, he is honored to contribute to the Folk School’s mission of bringing together individuals of all ages, skill levels, backgrounds, and beliefs to create meaningful and lasting work.

Through blacksmithing, Cam has collaborated with notable brands like Filson and The North Face. He was commissioned to forge knives for North Face athletes Alex Honnold and Emily Harrington, including a special piece for Alex in recognition of his historic free solo climb of El Capitan in Yosemite, which was documented by National Geographic.

In addition to teaching, Cam has demonstrated at the Folk School’s annual Fall Festival. His blacksmithing work is on display in the library of the Clay Spencer Blacksmith Shop, and his art hangs in the entrance of the historic Keith House.

“With this project, I wanted to create designs that could be incorporated into our daily lives—pieces that not only serve as a reminder to carry a bit of the Folk School magic with us but also function as tools that embody the spirit of ‘We Still Make Things.'”