Spark into art
The smell of heated metal and the sight of sparks fill the welding shop during first block.
In the class, students learn how to stick weld, which uses an electrical current to make an electric arc between the metal and the stick itself. The stick, also called a rod, is used to send electricity from the welder to the metal that is being welded. The rod melts, and the coating that is on the rod protects the weld against oxygen, which would otherwise contaminate the weld.
Welding is the practice of bonding two or more pieces of metal together into one piece. This practice can be used to build many things such as cars, bridges, railroads, ships. Interestingly, welding can be used to create sculptures, flowers, dogs or even cats, all out of precise metal objects.
Sophomore Austin Perkins takes this course and says he took welding to learn the skills that he might need for future employment.
“We get the hands-on skills,” Perkins said. “I enjoy welding. It is a good career path and it makes a lot of money, but at the same time, you can enjoy it. I’d say that you get a lot out of the class. The first day you go in, you literally have the opportunity to weld. I do believe welding can be used and seen as an artistic way. You can get so much out of welding artistically and hands-on.”
Perkins said that when he first came into the class he was shaking because he was so nervous. He didn’t know what he was doing, but after CTE teacher Wes Perry showed him the basics he figured it out.
Welders have a wide open career option. Many industries and jobs are always looking for welders, making it a common job that is always on demand. Everyday objects like cars, farm equipment, furnaces and phones all have something to do with some type of welding.
Welding is not just used to make repairs or just in daily jobs, but can also be used to make artistic statements as well, though a small portion of welders actually use their skill to make sculptures and art pieces.
In Chelsea, Michigan sculptures from local artists can be viewed while driving through town which are presented by the River Gallery. Many welders and artists like John Schwarz have found welding as a creative outlet. Schwarz welds and assembles multi-material sculptures from recycled objects like washers, bolts, wrenches and all sorts of objects. According to his website, he gets his materials from garage sales, the recycling center, friends, lawnmowers, cars, bikes, sports equipment. His art can also be found online at the River Gallery.
Younger welders and artists are also inspired by the artistic views of welding.
“I actually made a metal rose at the Capital Area Career Center. Nobody has really done it, or done it the way I done it, to ask somebody to a dance. I felt like it would be a unique way to ask my now girlfriend to the dance,” senior Zachary Douglas said. “I see different pictures and different articles about welding being art, mostly TIG welding, which is what I did to put the writing on my piece. People make trees, people make fish, people make other things to using welding. I feel like art and welding can go hand in hand very easily.”
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