About
Introduction to Artistic Welding – “Add and Subtract” – with Carla Grahn
This is a two session (March 9, March 16,) class aimed at beginners and novices. No previous welding experience is necessary. You will learn to MIG weld during this class.
The sessions focus on using the creative aspects of welding for artistic and creative purposes developed over Carla’s 23 years of teaching at Pratt.
From a conceptual point of view, understanding the ability to add material/matter with the MIG and then removing material with abrasives (carving) leaves the possibilities endless. It expresses how forgiving the material/steel is and how it can be so intensely altered via two techniques; welding and grinding.
Carla will teach using a particular "project" as an example -- making a bone, either as a sculpture itself, or for use as a handle or architectural element. Her teaching method is aimed at beginners and novices and focuses on the entire creative process using the MIG gun and grinders. You will get used to the entire process, the feel of the gun, the dark, the noise, the smell, sculpting with it. The two processes emphasized in this class -- welding and the sanding – adding and subtracting -- totally transform industrial materials into the organic. Carla's techniques are precursors to many projects and applied in numerous ways. You will be free to experiment.
This class includes material similar BARN's MIG #1 and #2 plus more advanced techniques including heating and bending with the focus on art welding and the creation of artistic pieces. It is suitable for beginners and more experienced welders. There will be approximately 3 hours of hands-on instruction in each 3 ½ hour session.
The class includes shop safety and hazard awareness and proper use of Personal Protection Equipment. Safety and Personal Protection Equipment will be provided by BARN.
The class costs $165 for members and $215 for guests. A $24 materials fee for steel, gas, filler wire and abrasive discs is included in the price of class.
Students must wear natural fiber clothing, long sleeves and long pants, closed toe shoes (preferably leather or cotton), no stretch fabrics.
If only one student has registered 3 days before the class, the class will be cancelled.
Instructor Bio: Carla Grahn has a 30 year history of metalwork and mixed media, including; sculpture, furniture, installations and sites-specific architectural pieces, both public and private. She has been teaching Creative Metalworking and Introduction to Welding at Pratt Fine Arts, Seattle for 23 years. Her style is broad and she thrives on discovering/exploring new techniques and combinations of materials. Her work is visible on her web site:
www.carlagrahn.com
Additional Contact: Studio Lead -- Henry Sharpe (HenrySharpe@gmail.com)
