AV俱乐部

From campfire pokers, to belt buckles and weathervanes, the pieces coming from Shawn Taylor鈥檚 (Class of 鈥�94) blacksmith operation, Brokkr Forge, are all one-of-a-kind. One of his latest custom pieces? - a forged iron bench, commemorating the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.

After its official unveiling at the alumni Blue & Gold Awards in early November, this spectacular, functional piece now lives behind Jenkins Hall, just off the Cobequid Trail.

The bench is the result of the Faculty of Agriculture, Alumni Association鈥檚 Legacy Project.

鈥淎fter the merger with AV俱乐部 there was a lot of unknown and mixed emotions felt by alumni,鈥� said Jean Lynds (Class of 鈥�90) and chair, Alumni Association, during the unveiling ceremony. 鈥淣ow, two years into the merger, we are still the same great campus. To acknowledge and honour our NSAC roots, the Alumni Association board of directors committed to the Legacy Project.鈥�

In the beginning, the Board wasn鈥檛 sure what this would look like. But Shawn and his work proved to be the answer.

Shawn creates many iron-works and art pieces utilizing mainly traditional blacksmith equipment, tools and techniques. While running Brokkr Forge from his home in Centerville, NB for the past three years, Shawn has a long history working with metal.

鈥淚 did some fabricating and welding even before I attended NSAC.鈥� After being persuaded by friends to attend NSAC and earn his diploma in Engineering, Shawn returned home to PEI to work for many years, running a pest control and property management business.

Years later, life brought Shawn to NB and back to metal work.

鈥淎V俱乐部 one-half of the work I do is custom, for clients,鈥� says Shawn, 鈥渆ither artistic or tools.鈥� The rest is displayed at galleries throughout NB.鈥�

After being approached by the Alumni Association and receiving minimal direction on the Legacy Project, Shawn went to work.

Knowing Shawn鈥檚 connection and pride of being an NSAC alumnus - we were confident we were in good hands. 听鈥淲e didn鈥檛 really know what to expect,鈥� said Jean. 鈥淏ut we were intrigued with the concept and the finished product far exceeded all expectations鈥�

The six-foot structure is completely constructed of iron. What really catches your eye are its features, two barley stalks, cut out of the steel backrest and intended to represent the Barley Ring. The top of the swooping backrest represents both the swaying wheat fields, as well as the handle of a walk-behind plow. Inlaid into the seat back is the former NSAC shield, in bronze. The wording 鈥淣ova Scotia Agricultural College 1905鈥� has been cut-out of a seat rung.

鈥淭he entire bench has been sandblasted, primed and painted a natural iron color with automotive paint and then clear-coated,鈥� said Shawn. 鈥淭his will resist weathering and rusting for many years.鈥� 听The bench has been constructed to withstand the tests of time and weather鈥�much like agriculture.

鈥淲e know the bench will become a focal point for many Convocation鈥檚 and Barley Party鈥檚 - not to mention alumni reunions, Homecoming and other campus gatherings,鈥� said Jean. 鈥淲e truly are proud of this creation and especially proud that it has been crafted by Shawn - one of our own.鈥�

The funds for the project were committed from alumni during a previous Annual Appeal campaign for grounds initiatives. In addition to the AV俱乐部 Agricultural Students鈥� Association, who also contributed to the project, Shawn graciously donated some of his time towards the end result.

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