Arc 2 Art
The Coalescence of Welding and Creativity
Experience the journey of two female welding and metal fabricating artists as they collaborate from a distance on one single piece of welded artwork. “Arc 2 Art,” a new project produced by the American Welding Society, will follow social influencers and welding artists, “Barbie the Welder” and Stephanie Hoffman, as they create a metal sculpture featuring Lady Liberty herself, the Statue of Liberty, complete with welding torch, helmet and code book.
“We're using this platform to capture the attention and imaginations of our younger generations,” said Monica Pfarr of the AWS Foundation, “so they learn that welding careers can also be a form of creative and artistic expression, and just as lucrative as other professions.”
Concept drawing of
Arc 2 Art sculpture
Arc 2 Art kicked-off August 18th via Facebook Live, where Barbie and Stephanie discussed the project, revealed an illustration of the sculpture and answered questions from viewers. Each artist will keep a video diary of their process and progress, with subsequent episodes alternating between the two artists as they weld and fabricate a section of the showpiece, then bringing them together to join their sections and create the final sculpture. The last episode will be broadcast via Facebook Live, with Barbie and Stephanie recapping their projects, discussing challenges they encountered and taking questions from viewers.
Episode 1 – Arc 2 Art Project: Kick Off
In this episode Barbie the Welder and Stephanie Hoffman discuss how the project evolved and reveal an illustration of the sculpture based on Lady Liberty herself.- Episode 2 – Arc 2 Art Project: It All Starts With The Foundation
In this installment of the Arc 2 Art project, Stephanie Hoffman discusses the challenges she faced as she began working on the base for the metal sculpture based on Lady Liberty. - Episode 3 – Arc 2 Art Project: Creating The Body
In this installment of the Arc 2 Art project, Barbie The Welder explains how she had to adapt her original design due to unforeseen challenges. Also, Barbie shares her tip on how she avoids metal spatter as she welds together what will ultimately be the body for the metal sculpture. - Episode 4 – Arc 2 Art Project: It's All In The Details
In this installment of the Arc 2 Art project, check out Stephanie's progress with the welding hood, side panels and the AWS code book. Stephanie gives us a preview of the detailed industry scenes she's added to the base of the sculpture, which she made from copper. Afterwards, Stephanie shares how she welded the welding hood from aluminum using a technique called back filling. - Episode 5 – Arc 2 Art Project: Why Perspective Matters
In this installment of the Arc 2 Art project, welds, sweat and tears - all for the love of Arc2Art! @Barbie The Welder shares an unexpected turn of events and how perspective played a pivotal role in producing the new and improved body of our Lady Liberty sculpture. Check it out! - Episode 6 – Arc 2 Art Project: Coming Together
In this installment of the Arc 2 Art project, @Barbie The Welder and Stephanie Hoffman unite to start the process of bringing #ladyliberty to life. - Episode 7 – Arc 2 Art Project: Final Reveal
In the final installment of the Arc 2 Art project, Stephanie Hoffman and @Barbie The Welder unveil Metal Maiden, discuss unexpected challenges they encountered and answer questions from the audience. - Episode 8 – Arc 2 Art Project: Metal Maiden Highlights
Check out this video which highlights the Arc 2 Art collaborative project between Stephanie Hoffman and Barbie the Welder as they created a metal sculpture based on Lady Liberty.
Barbie the Welder, is an American metal sculptor from Erin, NY, whose social media posts chronicle her creation of welded metal artwork. Her unique, self-taught style gained attention by both individuals and major corporations, making her a leading social media influencer in welding and a prominent name in the industry.
Barbie the Welder’s love for welding, combined with her entrepreneurial nature, has inspired and taught thousands of people to weld art. In addition to creating commissioned artwork for individual and corporate clients, welding sculptures live for audiences at shows and events, and producing videos for her YouTube channel, Barbie the Welder has authored six books. She as also created her first product line – Metal Art Welding Kits– fun and easy welding projects perfect for introducing someone new to welding or learning to make metal art at home.
Visit BarbieTheWelder.com to view her gallery or request a commission, and connect with her on Instagram: @barbiethewelder
When Stephanie Hoffman witnessed welding for the first time at age 11, it was love at first sight. She started welding her freshman year and has been in the industry ever since. Throughout her education and into her career, she has battled the gender bias that welding should be left for the guys. “Everything I did was under a microscope, pushing me to get better. I knew I could never make it “just okay” at any single welding process — I had to be the best.”
She spent her early career working in a shipyard doing hydraulic pipe repair and anodized aluminum pipework. After a brief tour of duty in the army, she got her bachelor’s degree in education and became a vocational school welding instructor. Her welded artwork featured on her Instagram page, Underground Metal Works, captured the attention of the American Welding Society who was looking for a social influencer to become an ambassador for welding careers. Now, as Program Manager of Workforce Development, Stephanie now tours the country with the AWS Careers in Welding Trailer, promoting welding as a viable and profitable profession. As a mom, Stephanie’s life is full. She’s teaching her daughter the art and science of the welding trade. “I still weld every chance I get, and I don’t anticipate slowing down anytime soon.”
Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @underground_metal_works
