SPRINGWATER, N.Y., March 5, 2026 — Stacey Mrva feels right at home around intense heat and splattering molten metal. As the owner of Ironwood Studios in Springwater, N.Y., she’s been shaping steel to her will for more than 25 years as a professional welder and metal sculptor.
Now, with support from the Livingston County Youth Bureau, Mrva is using the skills she’s forged over a lifetime to teach and inspire a new generation of young women in Livingston County. The “Empowering Teen Girls” workshop series is a pair of free welding workshops exclusively for local teen girls. Mrva created them to give young women hands-on experience in the skilled trades at no cost to their families. The classes were made possible through funding from the Arts Ignite grant from the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts.
She will offer the two sessions this spring: Friday, April 10, from 2 to 5 p.m., and Saturday, May 2, from 2 to 5 p.m. Each session is limited to 10 participants.
“I wanted to give young women the opportunity to try something they might never otherwise be exposed to,” Mrva explained. “Welding and metalworking are still often seen as ‘for the guys,’ and I want girls to know, very clearly, that they belong in these spaces too.”
No experience is necessary - just curiosity and a willingness to try something new. Participants will practice basic MIG welding techniques, how to safely operate a chop saw for cutting steel, and other beginner metal fabrication skills. Beyond the hands-on training, they’ll also learn how to problem-solve, trust their instincts, and work through challenges. Each student will craft her own metal dragonfly sculpture to take home at the end of the day.
“In a supportive, women-only space, they overcome fear, step outside their comfort zones, and build real confidence - not just in welding, but in themselves,” said Mrva. “This program isn’t just about welding. It’s about showing young women that with the right support, they can do anything. My regular workshops can be cost-prohibitive for some families, which is why the grant funding is so important. It removes that barrier and gives girls the chance to discover something powerful about themselves.”
Mrva witnessed this realization in a student during her inaugural female-focused workshops last year. One 16-year-old attendee discovered she had an unexpected passion for metalworking and has since enrolled in the metals program at BOCES. She now volunteers at Ironwood Studios to gain additional knowledge and hands-on experience.
Last year, Ironwood Studios held two successful workshops for 20 teenage girls ages 11 to 19 from towns across Livingston County. Recognizing the importance of exposing youth to the trades early, the Livingston County Youth Bureau has promoted these classes among its networks and written letters of support for the workshop series for the last two years.
“The Youth Bureau has a long history of connecting young people to programs that inspire and educate them on what’s possible,” said Youth Bureau Deputy Director Mary Guldenschuh. “Stacey’s workshops introduce teen girls to a trade many probably never considered, and we’re proud to support her goals and vision for our area youth.”
Space for the “Empowering Teen Girls” workshop series is limited. Girls ages 12 to 18 may sign up for one workshop per person through the online registration form. For more information, visit the Ironwood Studios website at ironwoodstudiosinc.com.
About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.