HINCKLEY — Since the founding of the school in 2012, the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences had partnered with local blacksmith Dick Tessier of Skowhegan to provide students with hands-on, experiential opportunities in order to further their career pursuits in the realm of metal fabrication and smithing.

Over the past 10 years, around 45 students have been given an opportunity to learn the art of smithing. All of these students experienced a sense of success when given the opportunity to connect what they learned in the classroom to other vocational pursuits and passions, according to a news release from Grace Hilmer with the academy.

When Tessier died earlier this year, he left behind $500 to the school to help initiate the development of a program on campus and a letter to The American Blacksmithing Association and New England Blacksmithing Association, asking that they assist as well.

In honor of his legacy, MeANS has dedicated a wing of the Maker Space Barn to provide students with the opportunity to learn the art of blacksmithing on campus, as well as the chance to pursue other vocational passions, in the projects that they take on in their daily academic classes.

MeANS held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 1 to dedicate the Dick Tessier wing of the Maker Space Barn. Members of the Tessier family, school faculty, and alumni of the blacksmithing program spoke at the event.

 

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