Blacksmith Workshop Empowers Veterans Through Creative Healing

A workshop on blacksmithing is providing a unique opportunity for veterans and first responders to engage in creative expression while addressing mental health challenges. The initiative, led by Christopher Hennebery, founder of the Veteran Artists Collective, aims to foster connection and healing through art. Since its inception in 2021, the collective has expanded its reach across Canada, offering various workshops that allow participants to explore different artistic mediums.

Hennebery, a veteran himself, understands the therapeutic value of art. After a career spanning four decades in the military, he found solace in creative endeavors. “Art has always been a very personal experience for me,” he remarked. “I found it very useful for dealing with stress and anxiety.” Recognizing the need for similar outlets among his peers, Hennebery established the collective to provide veterans, active military members, and first responders with immersive experiences that promote mental well-being.

Blacksmithing: A Therapeutic Approach

The blacksmithing workshop, which has emerged as a popular offering, is led by Will Steed, a full-time blacksmith and navy veteran. Participants learn to forge their own camp axes from raw steel, engaging in a hands-on process that encourages focus and creativity. Hennebery explained, “The idea is that through this creative experience, they’re going to shut off their brain and get into the process.”

Throughout the weekend sessions, participants start with small billets of steel, transforming them into practical works of art. Hennebery notes that the experience serves as a “talisman” for each participant, allowing them to remember their journey through the creative process. “Every time they look at that camp axe in the future, they’re going to remember this experience,” he added.

The appeal of blacksmithing particularly resonates with male veterans, who may be less inclined to participate in other artistic endeavors. Hennebery observed that many men express a long-standing curiosity about the craft, leading to increased participation in axe forging compared to other workshops, such as plein air painting.

Growing Community and Impact

As of October 2023, the Veteran Artists Collective has expanded its program to include more than 250 members, with locations in Ontario, the Yukon, and British Columbia. One participant, army reservist and RCMP officer Bryan Gardner, attended his second blacksmithing workshop at the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre on the weekend of October 18-19, 2023. Gardner has witnessed firsthand the positive effects of the workshop, inviting friends and family to join him in this creative outlet.

“It’s a powerful thing to get the minds of veterans off whatever might be bothering them,” he remarked. Gardner emphasized that the environment is stress-free, allowing participants to engage in the creative process without the pressure of traditional therapy. “You don’t have to say anything, and that’s the beauty. You can be in your own little bubble and work away,” he explained.

The workshops have garnered positive feedback, with Hennebery encouraging all military members, veterans, and first responders to participate. He described the collective’s mission as a “labour of love,” highlighting the personal fulfillment he gains from seeing others benefit from creative expression. “I do it because I love doing it,” he stated. “You get to turn off that part of your brain that goes into those really negative loops.”

For those interested in supporting the Veteran Artists Collective or learning more about its initiatives, further information is available at vetartists.ca.