About Us
History of the Guild
Rick Dixon became involved with blacksmithing at the Western Development Museum prior to 1984. During the Saskatoon Exhibition that year, Rick and John Pott*, a fellow blacksmith, began doing demonstrations using the outdoor blacksmith's shop.
During a demonstration in Davidson later that same year, Rick met a blacksmith from Alberta, who would be the future link to the Western Canadian Blacksmith Guild, now known as the Saskatchewan Blacksmith Association. In June of 1986, The Western Canadian Blacksmith Guild was founded in Alberta and Rick was one of first people from Saskatchewan who applied to join.
SBA & Blacksmithing Courses
After the SCWCBG was formed in June of 1986, membership quickly increased as interest was high and the city of Saskatoon had nothing else like it.
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After the first Basic Blacksmith course was held by the Western Development Museum in the winter of 1987-88, the students were looking for a way they could continue local contact. It was decided that demonstrations would occur every Sunday at the Saskatoon Branch of the WDM to teach safety and awareness while creating an everlasting love of all things metal, something that has continued successfully to this day.
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SCWCBG (SBA) Founded in 1988
After several offerings of the basic course and with interest continuing to grow, the possibility of having our own chapter of the WCBG was discussed. Rick set negotiations into motion and after lengthy discussions with the parent Alberta group, the formation of Saskatchewan group was successful.
The Saskatchewan Chapter of the Western Canadian Blacksmith Guild was formed in 1988 and was granted official status as a non-profit organization by the province of Saskatchewan in the winter of 1990-91
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In January 2020, since the guild was no longer affiliated with the Western Canadian Blacksmith Guild, the group's name was officially changed to the Saskatchewan Blacksmith Association (SBA).