Artistic Welding in a Weekend


Explore welding and metal sculpture

Two-day hands-on class • Small groups • No experience required 
Saturday + Sunday 9am - 5pm
All tools, materials & safety gear provided

Next class:    March 21-22 — SOLD OUT
                           March 28-29 
— 1 spot left
                          May 9-10    
—   2 spots left

$595 per person

Build skills for a lifetime

Explore the world of welding and metal sculpture
Whether you have prior experience or have never welded before, learn to sculpt in metal and by Sunday afternoon, you’ll head home with your own finished metal sculpture—and a set of seriously satisfying new skills.

Learn the essentials

You’ll learn MIG welding, plasma cutting, bending, grinding, and shaping metal—plus how to use every tool safely and confidently.  Use of all tools and safety gear included.

Hands-on

Small class sizes (4-5 students) and two full days in the studio = plenty of one-on-one guidance and hours of hands-on practice with the tools and artistic techniques.

Your own sculpture

Start with a small practice piece, then make your own sculpture from one of our designs - practicing your new skills and expressing your creativity.

Choose Your Sculpture

After learning the tools and making a small starter piece, pick from four designs made to reinforce your skills.
You’ll head home with a sculpture you made from scratch.

Next class: March 28 - 29 - 1 spot left

Upcoming Dates

April 11-12    SOLD OUT
April 18-19  -  SOLD OUT
April 25-26    SOLD OUT
May 9-10  -  2 spots left

May 23-24  -  2 spots left

What Students are Saying

Course Dates

March 21-22     Sold Out
March 28-29     1 Spot Left
April 11-12     Sold Out
April 18-19     Sold Out
April 25-26     Sold Out
May
May 9-10    2 spots left
May 23-24    2 spots left
June
June 6-7     Available
June 13-14    Available
June 27-28    Available
Summer 2026
July 18-19     Available
July 25-26    Available
August 8-9    Available
August 15-16    Available
August 29-30    Available

Where the heck is Harrington? Closer than you think!

Why take the weekend workshop?

Welding isn’t just a skill — it’s a creative outlet. If you love the idea of learning something new and want time to really get into it, this weekend workshop is for you. With two full days in the studio, you’ll have space to explore, experiment, and bring a larger sculpture to life — discover the joy of shaping metal into something uniquely yours and gain the confidence to keep creating long after the class ends.

Ready to dive in?

Questions? We've got answers!

What if I've never welded before?

No problem! Classes start with a thorough safety review and instruction on how to use each piece of equipment. We'll then work on a small project together to go over every step a the same time before you unleash the creativity with one of my specially designed projects.

What if I have welded before?

Welding artistically asks you to think differently about the way you use your tools, and probably introduces you to new tools and techniques. Shaping metal into a 3D sculpture is a whole new set of skills. We've had structural and industrial welders, even a Red Seal join the class and found lots to learn and lots of enjoyment.

Do many women take this class?

Yes! About half of my students are women and they rock it! Art is for everyone and there is nothing about welding that is limited by gender.

If you're concerned you'll be the only girl, you can message me for a sense of who has already booked the date you're interested in, or even better - bring a friend! We have lots of friends, partners, parent & child, and spouses booking a class together.

How old do I have to be to take this class?

For insurance and safety reasons, we’re only able to accept students who are 18 or older. However, I've had students as old as 81 - mostly it's attitude!

These are mixed aged classes, but students do need to be able to work independently using professional grade welders and other tools. 

Do I need my own equipment or safety gear?

No! Through my partnership with Licoln Electric Canada, I have all the tools you need, plus professional grade weld helmets, coats, gloves, beanies, dust masks, and safety glasses.

IF YOU WEAR READING GLASSES, PLEASE BRING THEM! You comfortably can wear your glasses under safety glasses and the weld helmet - and they'll definitely make the work easier.

What do I need to bring?

Although I provide all the safety equipment, you do need to dress appropriately. Long pants, comfortable cotton tops (short or long-sleeved), and closed toed shoes (work boots or sneakers are fine). Why cotton? Sparks can fly and synthetic materials are flammable! Cotton and other natural fibres are safer. For the same reason, long hair should be tied back. REMEMBER YOUR READING GLASSES.

Don't forget your lunch! I have coffee, tea, and water on tap (literally, it's tap water from our well...)

Can I make my own design?

The short answer is no. The long(er) answer is: We have to walk before we run! The projects you choose from have been designed to give you maximum exposure to practicing all your new skills. It takes work to learn to plasma cut, tack weld, hammer, bend, and embellish. I want to be sure you get to the end of the weekend with a finished sculpture and some serious hours under your belt using all the tools of artistic welding. 

What can I expect when I come to the studio?

My studio is located on my property in a century stone shop converted to my art studio. There are individual work stations for each student plus common spaces with some cool tools and surfaces for practicing your new art techniques.

Professional fume extractors keep the air clear as much as possible, but welding and grinding can be dirty - that's why we wear dust masks, beanies, coats, and glasses.

What if it's hot? Cold? How long do I really need to stand?

Because welding requires long pants and coats, I keep the studio cool. For stinking hot summer days, there's AC, and in the winter, we have heat and a woodstove if it's extra chilly.

Some parts of artistic welding are easier if you stand - for leverage swinging a hammer - even just for perspective looking at your sculpture. However, I have bar stools available and many students are comfortable sitting while welding and grinding.

Where the heck is Harrington? How do I get there?

Located in beautiful Oxford County, Southwestern Ontario, we are about a 15-minute drive from St. Mary's, and 20 minutes or so from Stratford, Woodstock, and Ingersoll. That's about 35 minutes from London, and two hours from Toronto (on a Saturday morning!)

There is no public transportation to Harrington, so please plan accordingly.

Is there parking?

Yes! We are in the countryside and have a large, paved driveway. There is also ample street parking.

What is your refund policy?

Due to the small class size and the amount of preparation involved, all bookings are final.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations or no-shows.

Please be sure you can attend before registering—each spot is limited, and your booking helps cover materials, planning, and studio time.

If something urgent comes up, you're welcome to transfer your spot to a friend—just let me know in advance.

Thanks for understanding and supporting independent artists!

What is in Harrington?

We are! Along with a handful of our neighbours and friends, and not much else! That means finding accommodation nearby, and bringing your own food (no restaurants will even deliver - gasp!)

Do You Offer an Intermediate Class?

Yes! - But only for students who have taken the Introductory Course. Returning students join the same two-day workshop but skip the introductory project and move straight into more advanced builds. Welding skill develops through repetition and time on the machines, so the best next step is continued studio practice.

Heads up: artistic welding is hands-on and physically active. Expect to spend time on your feet, reaching, handling tools like hammers and tin snips, and operating equipment such as handheld grinders, plasma cutters, and weld wands. We’ll kick things off with a thorough safety walkthrough and detailed instruction on how to use all tools and machines properly. Fume extractors help keep dust and fumes from plasma cutting, welding, and grinding under control—but let’s be real, metalworking is gritty by nature. A little dirt comes with the territory!

Build skills for a lifetime

Explore the world of welding and metal sculpture in this two-day workshop — no experience required.

Over two full days in the studio, you’ll learn the essentials of MIG welding, plasma cutting, bending, grinding, and shaping metal—plus how to use every tool safely and confidently. Starting with a small practice project, you’ll move quickly from first welds to finished piece — then choose from one of our original sculpture designs, working through a project design that lets you focus on technique and creative expression. 

Capped at just 4 students per class, you’ll get plenty of one-on-one guidance from wildlife sculptor and instructor, Rich Baker. With hours of hands on time practicing your welds and metal shaping techniques, by Sunday afternoon, you’ll head home with your own finished metal sculpture—and a set of seriously satisfying new skills.

Returning students welcome. Alumni skip the introductory project and move directly into more advanced builds.

Saturday + Sunday 9am - 5pm | 16 hours total
No experience needed. All tools, materials & safety gear provided.
$595 +HST

Rich Baker and the Artistic Welding Classes are sponsored in part by Lincoln Electric Canada. A world leader in design and manufacture of arc welding products. lincolnelectric.com

Refund Policy
Due to the small class size and the amount of preparation involved, all bookings are final.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations or no-shows.
Please be sure you can attend before registering—each spot is limited, and your booking helps cover materials, planning, and studio time.
If something urgent comes up, you're welcome to transfer your spot to a friend—just let me know in advance.
Thanks for understanding and supporting independent artists!