About MMW
Molten Metal Works provides welding instruction and metal shop access to the community of Los Angeles. We do not certify welders or teach how to weld I-beams. Instead, we focus on what most people need: how to fix a fence, build their own furniture, and how to make sculpture, chandeliers, or custom motorcycle parts. We’ve got 4,000 square feet full of tools, the expertise to match, and a lot more patience than your seventh grade shop teacher.
Due to COVID-19, we have had to restructure our business. We are unable to offer most of our classes, private lessons and open shop. Instead, we will be offering Intro MIG and Intro TIG on Fridays-Sundays. In addition, we will be offering planters, lighting fixtures and various home goods on our store site, and dedicating the majority of our time to fabrication. We will be taking on custom jobs on a case-by-case basis, feel free to email us to inquire, shop@moltenmetalworks.net. Tool kits are available for rent, if you are looking to do some home projects.
We hope to fully open our doors and be back to our usual programming as soon as there is a vaccine and we are able to do so safely.
About the Instructors
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Matt Jones (me) founded the shop in 2009, starting with classes in the back of Machine Project, and in 2010 he got his own shop and has filled it up with classes since. He’s been welding since 2000, learning in sculpture classes in college and continuing with stints building furniture, sets for museums and amusement parks (Harry Potter at Universal Orlando and Carsland at Disneyland), and custom fabrication for artists and organizations. He has taught welding for about eight years and his enthusiasm has only grown, seeing the devilish grin on students’ faces as they too, learn to “build things for real” (student quote). He’s also a pretty good artist, working in wood and metal, usually motorized, and sometimes interactive. More work is on his art website (www.ojdingo.com). Dartmouth College, BA Psych and Studio Art double major; Stanford University, MFA Art Practice; and Central New Mexico Community College, coursework in welding and electronics. |
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Arthur Kaplan grew up in Miami, FL where he attended various magnet Art schools and found his happy place in high school shop and sculpture classes, which led him to pursue an undergrad at Art Center College of Design. Since then he’s worked as a prop and set builder in the entertainment industry, furniture designer and model maker, product designer. In the last 5 years, he’s poured his heart and soul into welding. His strengths are producing furniture, architectural elements, off-road parts, 3d modeling and everything in between. |
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Karla Canseco is an artist born and raised in Los Angeles, who is currently in residency at California Institute of The Arts. Two years ago she began welding as an integral part of her artistic practice. Since then, she’s worked primarily sculpturally with metal. She also welds for other Los Angeles based artists and found her place at MMW as a member before joining the wonderful team. |
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Caroline Copley grew up in New York City. She studied Art History and Art Management in college and has since had her own art gallery and managed restaurants and hotels in New York, Nicaragua and San Francisco. She recently moved to LA and has made the switch over to a career as an artist with a focus on welding. |
Guest Instructors
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Alessandor Earnest has a BFA in sculpture, and she moved to Los Angeles hoping to get a job at a museum or university. Instead, she created HandyMadam, finding a niche in a male-dominated field. Now, she builds custom furniture, hangs art to museum standards, does minor electrical and plumbing, and fixes all kinds of things in the home. She’s excited now to share her skills and teach you how to maintain your home in Homeowner Bootcamp! |
