04/10/2026
2026 Welded Sculpture CONTEST
Sponsored by The American Welding Society
Section 179, Southwest Virginia
&
Lift Arc Studios
The purpose of the contest is to highlight the talents of local high school students and their ability to take raw metal and transform it into a work of art through the creative application of various welding processes.
Learn more about the AWS here: https://www.aws.org/
Saturday, April 25th
12:00p - 1:00p // Art Drop Off at Lift Arc Studios
1:00p – 2:00p // Student Interviews
2:00p – 3:00p // Judges Walkaround
3:00p – 4:00p // Dinner, Reception and Awards Ceremony
4:00p – 5:00p // Load out
5:00p // Lift Arc Studios closed to public
Food provided by: Fork in the Alley
Brick oven pizzas (with vegetarian options)
Angus beef hot dogs
Contest Guidelines
Sculpture Design and Workmanship
1. Materials used must be ferrous or nonferrous metals. The sculpture must be an original and creative work of the student.
2. Sculptures shall be welded, brazed, or soldered, depending on the material used. No mechanical fasteners or adhesives are permitted.
3. Projects are to be left unpainted, including primers and other coatings. (Exception: sculptures may be clear coated.) Naturally achieved patinas shall be limited to air,
water or heat, or any combination thereof. (No chemically enhanced finishes are permitted.)
4. All copyright laws must be followed in the creation of the design.
5. The sculpture must be one continual piece, not multiple pieces unconnected. Movement is allowed but not required. Moving parts are permitted provided they do not affect the size parameters or integrity of the piece or create a safety hazard.
6. The sculpture cannot exceed a weight of 100 lbs. Sculptures will be weighed. (Penalty
for overweight sculptures.)
7. No additional appurtenances can be used (mirrors, stands, etc.). The sculpture shall stand alone. No presentation pieces are permitted.
8. Contestants may be individuals or teams. Teams are limited to 2 members. One prize per team
