About Us

Home / About Us

About Ironwood Studios Inc.

Discover the Limitless Potential of Welding

Ironwood Studios provides clients with custom, original artistic pieces backed by 25 years of experience. Stacey offers a collaborative creative environment which enables clients to comfortably convey their vision. She then infuses her one of kind style and design into every piece she creates, resulting in truly bespoke pieces. 

Women’s Welding Workshops at Ironwood Studios offers women a place to learn how to weld in a safe and empowering environment. Workshops are hosted in the barn on our property in the Finger Lakes region. These classes provide a country retreat and a chance to get away from it all surrounded by other adventurous women. Stacey’s approach to teaching comes from her experience as a self-taught welder/artist. Her teaching style is very relaxed, fun and non-technical. Students learn exactly what they need to know to leave with a finished piece and bragging rights for trying something new.

Vision & Mission

A Note From Stacey

"I've personally faced the physical and emotional challenges that come with being a woman in a male-dominated field. My own experiences have shown me the importance of offering a different approach to welding, both for women and clients. That's why I started Ironwood Studios with my husband Tom. We wanted to create a place where women can feel empowered, have fun with friends, meet new people, and enjoy learning a cool new skill!"

Our Vision

To offer a collaborative, creative environment which enables clients and attendees to comfortably convey their vision and fully immerse themselves in an artistic lifestyle experience.

Our Mission

To empower women through welding and create distinctive, community-driven art.

"Find Your Spark"

Photo of Stacy Mrva - professional metal sculptor & owner of Ironwood Studios Inc in the Finger Lakes region of NY
Our Team

Meet the Ironwood Studios Team

Stacey Mrva

Artist/Instructor

Thomas Richens

Musician/Author

Ironwood Studios In the news

IMG_8340

Check out this wonderful article highlighting the Women's Welding Workshops at Ironwood Studios Inc.

hqdefault

I had an amazing time sitting down to chat about the Women's Welding Workshops with the very talented, Avery Shepard, aka The Tiny Trailblazer! Check out the video below!

Loan-Readiness-Training-Program-logo-840x548

I won 2nd place in the PathStone Loan Readiness Training Series Pitch Competition. Here is the Rochester Business Journal article.

4-H UNITY Teens Join Welding Workshop - Ironwood Studios

Teens from the Monroe County 4-H UNITY program at Agape Haven of Abundance visited Ironwood Studios in Springwater, NY to learn about the field of welding.

Spectrum News 1 Ironwood Studios

Spectrum News 1 created a video and article highlighting our Women's Welding Workshops!

Rochester NY Flower City themed metal bench created by Ironwood Studios Inc in Springwater, NY.

The WEDGE featured a piece on my partnership with the South Clinton Merchants Association to beautify S. Clinton Ave. Check it out!

download

WXXI News did a piece about my visit to the Edison Career and Technology High school’s women in welding workshop.

Fishing Bench Detail

The Genesee Valley Penny Saver completed this write up to highlight the ribbon cutting ceremony for the benches I created for town of LeRoy, New York.

creeksidebenches2022

Check out this write up from The Batavian about the benches I created for the Town of LeRoy, New York

HighRes_32_69a662b1-63e6-4255-9b90-53a65e66bd84

Visit LivCo wrote a piece featuring Ironwood Studios and my custom functional & fine art.

images

Rochester First wrote about the statue sculpture I created honoring musician Blanche Calloway.

IMG_2077

This is a video of the unveiling of the statue I created for Blanche Calloway!

Banner-BECD75FC-9BE9-4701-8929-3B27157A1BEA_1_201_a
SkillHero Spotlight

Empowering Women in Welding

Check out my interview and spotlight from SkillHero!

Testimonials

Stacey Mrva

ARTIST/INSTRUCTOR

Stacey Mrva, a professional metal sculptor from Rochester, NY, has spent over 25 years creating a diverse portfolio of custom sculptures for both public and private spaces throughout the Finger Lakes region. Her work, characterized by a unique blend of whimsy and functionality, resonates with clients who seek to bring their visions to life.

Stacey’s journey began at Syracuse University, where she initially studied jewelry making and metalsmithing. However, her passion shifted to sculpture when she first experienced welding steel. The challenge of transforming a cold, rigid material into fluid, organic shapes captivated her, sparking a lifelong dedication to the craft.

Her stunning creations range from steel furniture and railings to public signage, benches, wall art, and lighting—each piece meticulously crafted by hand. Stacey takes pride in her ability to tailor her pieces to fit any setting, making art an integral part of everyday life.

In the fall of 2022, Stacey began teaching welding workshops for women in her barn studio. Her passion for welding and empowering other women has created a welcoming space where they can break down barriers, foster confidence, and build lasting friendships.

“I’m an artist but also a craftsperson,” she says. “I love creating pieces that are not only visually striking but also accessible and functional.”

Stacey’s public installations can be admired along South Clinton Avenue in downtown Rochester, on Main Street in LeRoy, NY, and at notable locations like the Lodge at Woodcliff, the Meridian Centre Office Park, and Summit Federal Credit Union in Penfield, NY. Each piece reflects her commitment to enhancing community spaces through art.

Tom "Ozzy" Richens

Musician/Author

Thomas Richens is a man of many talents, seamlessly blending his academic prowess with his passion for music and cultural preservation. Graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Geneseo in 2008, Tom has co-authored several noteworthy publications, including “Images of America: Letchworth State Park, New York.”

When he’s not deep in the archives, Tom takes center stage in the bustling world of live music production. As a drum technician for iconic bands like Megadeth, Dropkick Murphys, and PRIMUS, Tom ensures every beat hits with perfection. His meticulous work involves everything from setting up and repairing drum kits to working closely with audio engineers for the perfect sound. Off the road, Tom taps into another of his passions as the co-owner of Flower City Maple, producing and marketing high-quality maple syrup. Whether he’s behind the drums or in the maple woods, Tom’s blend of technical skill and creative flair make him a true maestro in his diverse fields.

His dual life extends to his co-ownership of Ironwood Studios, where he is currently the project manager for renovations and construction on the property. Once complete, Tom will be extending offerings in the barn to drum clinics, recording space and all things music on the 2nd floor of the Barn.

Subscribe & Save

Join Our Welding Warriors Club

Get first dibs and exclusive pricing on workshops and events!