For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – A trend in welding metal sculptures out of junk is taking off in the community, and women are leading the way.

Mid-State Technical College has created a variety of new community classes that focus on welding for the home and garden. Though geared equally toward men and women, enrollment in its spring Welding for Garden Sculpture classes was 80 percent female, suggesting that women are growing more interested in the skill.

This trend has grabbed the attention of Michael Schultz, Mid-State Industrial Mechanical Technician program instructor.

“It has been exciting to see so much interest in our welding classes and to see students, men and women alike, progress in skill level and creativity over such a short period of time.” said Schultz.

Mid-State is offering additional welding classes for the community, starting with Welding for Home and Garden to run June 29 through August 17. This class is offered to the public and is an introduction to welding and metal fabrication for repair and creative projects for the home or garden. Students will develop technical skills through practice that will be applied to personal projects. The class meets every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

To register, visit http://www.mstc.edu/welding-home-and-garden. Contact Heather Grys-Luecht at heather.grysluecht@mstc.edu or 715.422.5426 with any questions.