Hephaestus is one of the twelve major Ancient Greek gods, but his story did not start in glory. He was born with a lame leg and as a result, was an outcast from Olympus because of his own mother. Despite how his family treated him, he began to channel his efforts into metalworking, creating beautiful tools and intricate armor prized by the Olympians and their heroes. Arguably his most important creation was a brace for his leg, using his craft to help himself overcome his physical disability. In all, he was able to rise above through his artistic endeavors, demonstrating how art can help you process your innermost feelings or work through your struggles, or find beauty in difficult circumstances, which is why he is the inspiration for the Hephaestus Library. 

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    The Hephaestus Library aims to showcase beautiful artwork that demonstrates the human experience and beauty as well as the struggles of life, with an emphasis on how art and the creative process can have a positive influence on the psyche. Our hope is that the Hephaestus Library will illustrate how art allows us to explore our inner selves and/or cope with emotions, as well as our challenges.