Livingston County Youth Bureau is collaborating with Ironwood Studios to offer a pair of free welding workshops for local teen girls. The initiative, called “Empowering Teen Girls,” is led by Stacey Mrva, owner of Ironwood Studios in Springwater, New York. Mrva has more than 25 years of experience as a professional welder and metal sculptor.
The workshops are scheduled for Friday, April 10, and Saturday, May 2, each running from 2 to 5 p.m., with participation limited to ten girls per session. The classes are open to girls aged 12 to 18 and require no previous experience.
“I wanted to give young women the opportunity to try something they might never otherwise be exposed to,” said Mrva. “Welding and metalworking are still often seen as ‘for the guys,’ and I want girls to know, very clearly, that they belong in these spaces too.”
Participants will learn basic MIG welding techniques, safe use of a chop saw for cutting steel, and other introductory skills in metal fabrication. Each attendee will create her own metal dragonfly sculpture during the workshop.
“In a supportive, women-only space, they overcome fear, step outside their comfort zones, and build real confidence – not just in welding, but in themselves,” said Mrva. “This program isn’t just about welding. It’s about showing young women that with the right support, they can do anything. My regular workshops can be cost-prohibitive for some families, which is why the grant funding is so important. It removes that barrier and gives girls the chance to discover something powerful about themselves.”
Funding from an Arts Ignite grant provided by Genesee Valley Council on the Arts made these free classes possible.
Mrva described seeing one participant last year develop an interest in metalworking through these workshops; she now attends a metals program at BOCES and volunteers at Ironwood Studios.
Last year’s sessions also reached twenty teenage girls aged 11-19 from across Livingston County towns. The Livingston County Youth Bureau has promoted these classes through its networks and supported them with letters over the past two years.
“The Youth Bureau has a long history of connecting young people to programs that inspire and educate them on what’s possible,” said Youth Bureau Deputy Director Mary Guldenschuh. “Stacey’s workshops introduce teen girls to a trade many probably never considered, and we’re proud to support her goals and vision for our area youth.”
Girls interested in joining may sign up for one session using an online registration form available through Ironwood Studios’ website at ironwoodstudiosinc.com.
Founded in 1821, Livingston County includes more than 61,000 residents across seventeen towns within New York’s Finger Lakes region.
