svarga@email.com
Steven Varga was born in Portugal in 1985 but spent his formative years in Paraguay until 2005. He then moved to the United States to continue his studies. Originally, he intended to be a singer-songwriter, a path in which he had limited success. Due to unforeseen circumstances and heartbreak, he was unable to continue in that field. His love for the arts and creative expression, however, remained strong, and he decided to pursue other outlets such as 3D printing, woodworking, and welding.
After working for Knox County 911 for nine years (2012–2021), Varga enrolled at Pellissippi State Community College to study welding technologies, earning his associate degree in the spring of 2022. From the moment he laid down his first weld bead, he was hooked. His early pieces were created by scavenging old tools and using MIG welding techniques to make large spiders and other creatures, one of which is still used by the welding department at Pellissippi as part of its recruitment efforts.
Upon being hired at Advanced Catalyst Systems in Maryville in 2022, Varga was reintroduced to the beauty and finesse of TIG welding. Over countless hours, he practiced manipulating stainless steel through careful application of heat and timely removal of shielding argon gas to achieve the desired coloration of the metal. TIG welding also allowed him to work with finer materials and give more attention to detail. He has recently begun practicing welding dissimilar materials, which he now incorporates into his art.
