Community Welding Project: A Scrap Exchange Collaboration

Liberty Arts and The Scrap Exchange share a long history of supporting creativity and hands-on making in Durham. In this community workshop, the two organizations come together once again to create a collaborative work of public art built entirely from reclaimed materials.

The Scrap Exchange is constructing a new shopping cart corral for there scrappy new carts, and workshop participants will help transform it into a functional piece of community artwork. Using reclaimed materials sourced from both Liberty Arts and The Scrap Exchange, students will design and fabricate decorative metal elements that will become part of the finished installation.

Participants will receive an introduction to welding and basic metalworking before creating their contributions. Whether you arrive with a clear idea or prefer to be inspired by the available materials, instructors will be available throughout the workshop to provide demonstrations, guidance, and hands-on assistance.

This workshop is focused on creativity, reuse, and community participation. Students may work independently on their own design or collaborate with a friend or family member to create a shared piece. Each contribution will be unique, and together the individual pieces will form a larger artwork celebrating creative reuse and community connection.

A project theme will be developed closer to the workshop date based on the materials available from both organizations, allowing the final design to emerge organically from the scrap itself.

No prior welding or metalworking experience is required. Whether you're interested in trying welding for the first time or simply want to contribute to a community art project, this workshop offers an accessible and welcoming introduction to making with metal.

Join us for an evening of creativity, collaboration, and community as Liberty Arts and The Scrap Exchange transform reclaimed materials into something meaningful, functional, and uniquely Durham.

Location

This class will meet at Liberty Arts Studio, located at 918 Pearl St., Durham, NC, United States.

Pre-requisites

No prior welding or metalworking experience is required.

This class is open to all skill levels and is designed to be accessible to beginners while still engaging for experienced makers.

Skills & Equipment

Students will receive an introduction to basic welding and metalworking techniques while contributing to a collaborative public art project.

Students will learn:

• Basic MIG welding techniques
• Safe operation of welding equipment
• Creative design using reclaimed materials
• Basic metal fabrication and assembly
• Collaborative public art processes
• Creative reuse and material exploration

Equipment used in this class includes MIG welders, angle grinders, and standard welding studio tools.

Materials

Participants will work with reclaimed steel and found materials sourced from Liberty Arts and The Scrap Exchange.

Safety & PPE

Protective gloves, welding helmets, face shields, and ear plugs will be provided. Proper protective wear designed for welding and metal fabrication will be mandatory during all shop activities.

What to Wear

Students should wear non-synthetic, long-sleeve clothing and closed-toe shoes. Natural fibers are recommended, as they offer better protection when working with heat and sparks. Hair should be tied back.

For everyone's safety, the instructor may limit participation if proper clothing is not worn.

Notes / Important Info

To encourage broad community participation, this workshop is offered on a sliding scale beginning at $40. Contributions above the minimum help support instructor pay, project materials, and future collaborative programming.

Participants will contribute to a permanent public artwork that celebrates creativity, reuse, and the collaborative spirit of Durham's maker community. The completed cart corral is anticipated to be installed in late July or early August, with installation dates to be announced.

Summertime in the Studio

The welding studio can become quite warm during the summer months. Students are encouraged to bring plenty of water, stay hydrated throughout class, and pay attention to how their body is feeling. Taking breaks when needed is encouraged, and instructors will be available to help ensure everyone has a safe and comfortable experience.