Dr. Charles R. (Bob) Becker of White Horse Forge is an equine veterinarian in Oxofrd, Michigan. A 1964 Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine graduate, he has found satisfaction in creating works of useful and ornamental art out of metal.

"Although my first love will always be the horse, the art of creating objects with my hands is an essential part of my everyday life. For years, I worked with wood making furniture. In 1980, I discovered blacksmithing. The ability to heat metal and shape it with a hammer and anvil into a work of art or an architectural piece is most rewarding. I studied by myself for two years before taking courses from several master smiths including Francis Whitaker, Tom Joyce, Nol Putnam, Ed Grove and Ivan Bailey. I have had commissions to do railings, gates and other architectural forgings. My favorite work is of the horse's head." -Bob Becker, 2002

Dr. Becker has exhibited at numerous shows and galleries since 1986 including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University and Louisiana State University. He has restored two gates at the historic Cranbrook Educational Community in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; created an entrance sign for Lakeville Cemetery in Addison Township, Michigan and completed numerous private commissions, including designing and forging gates, security doors, signs and brackets, coffee tables, fireplace screens and utensils and hoof picks for horse owners.

He has also been a guest instructor at various schools and conferences since 1990 including the American Blacksmith Association of North America Conference, the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina and the Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington, Pennsylvania to name just a few.

In 1996, he received the Silver Award from the National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association, (NOMMA) Convention's International Metalcraft Competition in Reno, Nevada for a pair of driveway gates he designed, forged, and installed at his own farm in Oxford, Michigan.

He's been featured in articles in the blacksmith publications: The Anvil's Ring (Summer 1996 Issue), The Fabricator (July 1996), and Anvil Magazine (July 1999).

Contact Bob Becker at:
White Horse Forge
3045 Hosner Rd.
Oxford, MI 48370

Email - whitehorseforge@sbcglobal.net
Office - 248-628-6520
Studio - 248-628-0986
Fax - 248-628-3871

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