The Apprentices feel the shift when they walk into the Studio

Tools get passed. Ideas bounce. The air tightens with focus, then cracks open with laughter. These are the makers of Cohort 2 — Apprentice welders shaping metal, movement, and meaning at our Welder Underground Studio, in Brooklyn.

Each Apprentice stepped into this program with their own reason for wanting to learn the craft. Now, they’re building what comes next.

And what’s next for Cohort 2? We’ll reveal that soon.

From One Crew to the Next — The Torch Gets Passed

After wrapping Cohort 1, we opened the call for a new class.

We expected interest — but over 325 applications came in from the five boroughs.

We get it. Welder Underground isn’t your typical trade program. It’s paid. It’s hands-on. It’s creatively driven. And while it’s still early in its journey, it’s already proving to be a powerful launchpad for young makers to learn, build, and express themselves.

Our mission is to ignite the next generation of welders and metal fabricators by partnering with established artists to build large scale public art — and to grow a movement that reaches far beyond Brooklyn. A movement built on creativity, access, and purpose.

With just six spots available, narrowing the list was the hardest part. So many applicants shared stories worth investing in.

Thanks to the generous support of ESAB and Workforce Development Institute, we’ve been able to run this program with real intention — curating a cohort that learns how to weld, how to work together, struggle forward, and evolve as a team. 

And thanks to our collaboration with Menotti Enterprise, every apprentice will receive their OSHA SST 40certification — setting them up with the safety credentials they’ll need to move forward in the field.

Meet the Makers of Cohort 2: Apprentices with All Different Styles

They come from different corners of experience — some with creative backgrounds, others with raw instinct and curiosity. But they share a common drive: to build with intention.

Together, they’re cutting, grinding, fitting, and finishing — learning to trust their hands, their team, and their creative instincts. Welding benches for public space. Designing sculptures for the block. Throwing down sparks at events across the city.  

It’s a Culture of Can-Do.

Welder Underground is both a pipeline  and a platform.   A space where young people can claim their place in the world of metal on their own terms.

Some will follow the path of artistic fabrication. Others will enter the trades. We support each apprentice in finding the path that fits them best — whether that's in the trades, fabrication, or creative industry — and we stay connected beyond the program through continued support services.

We’re continuing to build a network that supports apprentices long after the program ends — a growing community not unlike the alumni networks found in colleges, but rooted in hands-on collaboration and real-world growth. We’re looking to partner with organizations who see value in that kind of long-term investment — those who are excited to connect emerging talent with meaningful opportunities.  

From Sparks to Parks apprentices had their first challenge of racing to fix Bumperman by Annalisa Ladiccio

We know the world is full of challenges — but it’s also full of opportunities to create, repair, and reimagine. This is only the beginning for Welder Underground. We're learning as we go. But we believe deeply in the potential of this work and the people doing it.  

If you’re an artist, partner, or organization who wants in — reach out. We believe in the power of collaboration and strong partnerships. If you see our work and feel inspired, let’s spark something up together.