“It makes me feel good about myself like I’m playing my part in society by giving them red line and blue line flags to make them appreciated considering what’s going on in the world right now.”
Those words are from Justis Henderson, a 17-year-old junior at Manitowoc Lincoln High School whose talent and passion for metalcraft along with a deep-rooted respect for the American flag and everything it stands for has transpired into his own business, “Flags By Justis.”
His father Shane’s hobby of making metal American flag wall decorations was a natural outpouring for both his passion for the metalworking craft and his sense of patriotism. Justis then got the itch by working alongside Dad at age nine –plus it gave them time to bond and spend quality time together.
Word got out of this unique entity –Metal Art of Wisconsin– and the dynamic products they produce, and it didn’t take long for the local business located on South Rapids Road to become a giant in the field of metal arts boasting the largest metal art Instagram following on the planet.
The elder Henderson says in a short time, his son branched out with his own line of beautiful American flag artwork, and “Flags By Justis” was born. “I started this in 2013 when he was ten so he’s basically worked for me eight years,” Shane explained. “Last Christmas we sold thousands of flags. It’s pretty awesome to have your son follow in your footsteps.”
Shane says all products they use are locally outsourced beginning with the bending process in Kewaunee then welded and polished up at their Manitowoc location. “There’s no paint on these. It’s all chemicals,” he said. “There’s different layers of chemicals and patina which are easily visible. We customize them all to whatever our customers want.”
Justis and his dad have donated several of these unique pieces of American flag artwork including most recently to the Green Bay Fire and Police Departments and the Manitowoc Police Department will receive one in a special presentation Monday, June 6th. Justis said he has learned a lot from watching his dad, and “I’ll be staying in his shadow as I learn to do it all on my own.”
Flags are also being worked on for donation to the Manitowoc Fire Department and the JFK Fieldhouse on the campus of Lincoln High School. Contact support@flagsbyjustis.com or call 920-717-0635 for more information.
