svarga@email.com
Steven Varga was born in Portugal in 1985 and spent his formative years in Paraguay before moving to the United States in 2005 to continue his studies. He originally intended to become a singer-songwriter, but when circumstances and heartbreak changed that path, his love for the arts and creative expression remained. He began exploring other creative outlets, including 3D printing, woodworking, and welding.
After working for Knox County 911 for nine years, Varga enrolled at Pellissippi State Community College to study welding technologies, earning his associate degree in 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 to make large spiders and other creatures. One of those pieces is still used by Pellissippi’s welding department as part of its recruitment efforts.
After joining Advanced Catalyst Systems in Maryville in 2022, Varga was reintroduced to the beauty and finesse of TIG welding. Through countless hours of practice, he learned to manipulate stainless steel using heat and shielding gas to achieve variations in the metal’s coloration. TIG welding also allowed him to work with finer materials and bring greater detail to his pieces. More recently, he has begun welding dissimilar materials, expanding the techniques and possibilities he incorporates into his art.
