featured Veteran Artist

 Jack Phares, known artistically as The Norse Craftsman, has been part of the creative community at Veterans Art Council and at the VFW Post 1 for over a decade. Originally from Denver while raised in Commerce City, Jack creates through hands-on craftsmanship. Often working with leather, welding, and wood to bring functional and artistic pieces to life. Art is a constant presence in his daily routine, whether he is welding in the garage, building furniture, being Krampus for Commuinty events, to gathering bones for creatives\artist or working at the bench in his leather shop. For Jack, the veteran art community offers something rare a space built on shared experience and mutual support rather than competition, where artists help each other heal, grow, and find purpose. His featured work, a large bison hide piece entirely patterned, laced, and constructed by hand, represents a personal challenge to push his craft further and expand the scale of his work. Through art, Jack finds a way to step outside the confines of his mind and focus on the positive while continuing to mentor and support fellow veterans in their creative journeys.