Instructor: Johnny Swing 
Monday - Friday
August 31 - September 4
9am - 12pm
5 sessions

This welding class will answer welding questions while improving welding techniques. The technology of MIG welding is easy to learn and accessible to anybody wanting to create. 

The main focus will be learning and improving welding skills. In this class, each day will be focusing on one aspect of beginning Welding. But most definitely practicing things that even as skilled Welder would enjoy and can improve on. Day 1- we will be familiarizing ourself with the equipment and specialty the technology, maintenance, amperage and wire speed control. we will be focusing on welds and encouraging continuation of that practice to evolve into some sort of bas relief sculpture. Day 2- Will be focusing on improve our welds, weld connections, and connecting separate pieces of metal in different positions. Each welder/artist/student should expect on day two to create some sort of assemblage. Day 3- The focus on continuation of welding skills and manipulation of material, including bending and a variety of forms of cutting steel. With introduction to the plasma cutter and learning its versatilities and limits. And as with day two, some sort of completed work that represents your style is expected Day 4- this will be a grab bag collaboration day. The group will be divided into pairs and everybody can work on a project that somebody else has started. It’s a great lesson in the learning of not being precious. Day 5-The morning is a free-for-all with your learned skills to make your 5th and final masterpiece of the week. The day will culminate in a group critique, everybody should learn how to represent the work that they have created.

Artists are encouraged to bring steel pieces with them. The physical act of making releases the creative spirit, so the more materials the better. 

Johnny Swing has 50+ years of welding experience including a structural steel welding license from NYC. While in NY he evolved from being a well-known street artist to showing in top galleries. A 2-year, large-scale art lobby project ended up being the test case for the art law VARA. His most well-known work involves welding thousands of coins to generate furniture. Blending art and design enables him to share the work both visually and physically  

Need a place to stay? Check out our student housing options.