Starting something new can be intimidating — especially when sparks, steel, and power tools are involved. But stepping into the world of scrap metal sculpture doesn’t require prior experience, special training, or even an art background. All you need is curiosity — and a willingness to try.
At Scrap Metal Sculpture, we’ve designed our workshops to guide you from your first spark to your first sculpture, safely and confidently. Whether you’re here for a creative outlet, a new skill, or simply to try something hands-on, you’ll leave with more than just art — you’ll leave with a sense of empowerment.
Getting Comfortable with the Basics
On your first day, we don’t throw you into the fire (literally or metaphorically). We begin with the essentials:
- Tool Orientation
You’ll get hands-on instruction with core tools — from angle grinders and MIG welders to clamps, cutters, and protective gear. We teach not only how to use them, but why they matter. You’ll gain respect for the process and confidence in your abilities. - Safety First, Always
We take safety seriously. You’ll learn how to handle hot metal, sharp edges, and sparks in a way that keeps you and those around you safe. By the end of the first session, the gear that once felt intimidating will feel like a natural extension of your work.
Learning to See Like a Sculptor
One of the most powerful lessons in our workshop is how to look. Scrap isn’t just junk — it’s potential. We’ll teach you how to assess pieces for strength, balance, and character. You’ll begin to notice how the curve of a pipe suggests a spine, or how a broken hinge becomes a beak.
We also cover:
- Design Principles
How to sketch or loosely plan a sculpture — and how to let that plan evolve naturally. - Balance & Stability
Understanding how to make pieces stand, lean, or flow without toppling over. - Material Matching
What metals pair well together? How do you prep them for welding? What finishes enhance texture?
Practice, Fire, and Flow
After getting comfortable with tools and safety, you’ll begin to create. This is where the real magic begins — not just learning techniques, but discovering your own artistic rhythm.
Expect to:
- Weld pieces together using MIG welding techniques.
- Cut and reshape metal to fit your idea.
- Experiment with form, space, and composition.
- Make mistakes — and learn how to turn them into design decisions.
Our instructors are always nearby to support, encourage, and answer questions. You’re not expected to be perfect — only to explore.
The Joy of Finishing
There’s nothing like stepping back and seeing a finished sculpture that you made. Whether it’s rough and wild or polished and clean, it carries your energy, your story, and your touch.
We’ll show you how to:
- Sand, brush, or grind surfaces to bring out texture or shine.
- Add finishes — from rust protectants to patinas and paints.
- Mount or display your piece in a way that honors its form.
Even small, simple sculptures feel monumental when you’ve made them with your own hands.
A Skill for Life, a Community for Creation
When you join our workshop, you don’t just learn how to sculpt. You become part of a growing community of makers, artists, and thinkers who believe in the power of transformation.
The tools you use here may one day be in your own garage or studio. The skills you build here might spark a lifelong passion. And the scrap you once overlooked may forever become your favorite creative material.
So whether you’re nervous, excited, or both — step in. We’ll guide you from the very first torch flame, all the way to a sculpture that’s uniquely yours.