TALK: “Tending the Embers: Keeping the Flames of Creativity Fueled.”

Our tech-driven world often celebrates the spark, but rarely do we talk about what keeps creativity burning over time.

At CreativeMornings Winnipeg this April, we welcome Matt Jenkins of Cloverdale Forge—a modern blacksmith whose work is rooted in patience, precision, and the daily practice of tending the fire.

Through fire, steel, and story, Matt will explore what it means to stay with an idea after the initial excitement fades, when all that remains is the ember. He’ll reflect on the discipline and resilience behind steady, intentional creativity.

After all, it’s not the spark that sustains the flame—it’s the focus.

MEET OUR SPEAKER

Matt Jenkins grew up in a household that made it by hand. His path into blacksmithing began through his father and took hold during a summer job at the blacksmith shop at Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site. More than 30 years later, he is an internationally recognized artist blacksmith known for highly crafted work, thoughtful design, and a deep commitment to the traditions of the forge. In 2016, he challenged himself to design and forge a different hook every day for a full leap year, a project that later became his 2024 book HOOKED: A Blacksmith’s Study of Function Through Form. Today, Matt creates custom ironwork just north of Winnipeg while teaching and demonstrating across North America.