Meet Ruben
Ruben Irons is an artist blacksmith based in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, whose metalwork blends a rich tradition of functional craft with sculptural expression. Inspired as a child by watching his father work at the forge at night—his father ran the Atlantic Ferrier School—Ruben has been honing his skills for over 30 years.
He trained at a horseshoeing school in California and apprenticed with master smiths in New Hampshire and British Columbia. Before establishing his own practice, Ruben served as the site blacksmith at the Ship Hector in Pictou, where he forged hardware for the replica tall ship and demonstrated traditional blacksmithing techniques to the public.
Ruben lives and creates in the deep woods of Pictou County with his partner, Raina McDonald, and their two daughters. Together they grow food, cut firewood, and pursue a life closely tied to land, craft, and community. He teaches at a local forest school, rides a recumbent bicycle, and holds a deep optimism that the next generation will inspire us with their creativity, compassion, and love for this wondrous planet.
Ruben’s work is grounded in durability, function, and the visible marks of the hand forged process. Each piece is made to be used, lived with, and passed on.
Ruben's Pergola Piece - Layout 1
Commemorative Piece
About the Pergola
Created in 2017, the Pergola can be found in Truro, Nova Scotia at Dalhousie University's John Higgins Memorial Garden.
The focal hardscape element within a commemorative landscape honoring the late John Higgins—an influential professor in the Landscape Horticultural Technology program at the former NSAC and founding member of the Atlantic Association of Landscape Designers.
Commissioned Art
Commissioned Art
Commissioned to replace a deteriorating wooden structure of similar design, the pergola was reimagined in durable steel and incorporates Ruben’s artistic forge work along the top. The chocolate-brown patina is sealed with linseed oil.
Exterior Ironwork
The structure has become a picturesque landmark within the Gardens, enjoyed by visitors and frequently used as a backdrop for weddings, graduations, and special events.
Ruben's Pergola Piece - Layout 2 Option 1
Created in 2017, the Pergola can be found in Truro, Nova Scotia at Dalhousie University's John Higgins Memorial Garden.
The focal hardscape element within a commemorative landscape honoring the late John Higgins—an influential professor in the Landscape Horticultural Technology program at the former NSAC and founding member of the Atlantic Association of Landscape Designers.
Second Title (If Desired)
Commissioned to replace a deteriorating wooden structure of similar design, the pergola was reimagined in durable steel and incorporates Ruben’s artistic forge work along the top. The chocolate-brown patina is sealed with linseed oil.
The structure has become a picturesque landmark within the Gardens, enjoyed by visitors and frequently used as a backdrop for weddings, graduations, and special events.
Ruben's Pergola Piece - Layout 2 Option 2
