Forging ahead; Bringing the art of blacksmithing to Webster City Veterans
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Opening the doors to creative projects may not seem like something most men would explore, but Legacy Learning-Boone River Valley has coordinated a workshop working with a local blacksmith, to bring a completely unique art form to local veterans.
Tuesday, November 10, starting at 1 p.m., the first of three workshops will be held, with Ty Murray owner of the Boone Forks Forge in Stratford, bringing his skills to the American Legion building, located at 726 Second St. in Webster City, to provide a different outlet by creating work out of metal.
"The blacksmith needs a small group to start with," said Steve Struchen, of the American Legion Post 191, "Those interested might want to come and see what this is about, and see if this is something they might like to explore."
Legacy Learning-BRV wants to provide an outlet for veterans, with an opportunity to learn a different skill, a different art form, by learning from Murray. This opportunity is just for veterans, interested in learning to work with metals.
Maureen Seamonds has coordinated the project, which is funded through the Iowa Department of Economic Development-Arts Council.
"This is focusing on creating a third space," she explained, "There is a veterans category, because there is a national movement to focus on wellness issues."
"Creative activities are a part of wellness and healing," she explained. "It can be any type of creative activity."
It's not therapy, she explained, it's just a venue to get people working on projects to bring out creativity.
This workshop is a part of that effort, so starting November 10 from 1 to 4 p.m., or the Tuesdays when the weather is cooperating, Murray will be located south of the American Legion Post 191 building. There will be three different sessions.
This first session will be an exploratory workshop to assess the interest, and see who is truly interested, said Struchen
"He will demonstrate blacksmithing, working with an anvil and the forge and those attending the workshops will learn how to manipulate the metal," she explained. "Ty is such a patient kind of teacher and he has a wealth of knowledge."
With Veterans Day next Wednesday, it is important to mark this day to honor the service of our veterans who have survived the many different branches of military service. If pounding on metal creates a stress relief, or a flow of creative talent, this workshop will have done what is intended.
The workshop is free, and open to all veterans, of all ages. This workshop will be rescheduled if there is rain or weather issues. For more information, contact Maureen Seamonds at 515-835- 0497 or Steve Struchen at 515-297-3644.