With three generations of welders coming earlier than him, Adam Stempka had a set profession path, even when he didn’t notice it as a 12-year-old watching his grandfather weld components within the storage.
He mentioned he loved his artwork courses in class and at all times had a artistic streak, however he didn’t see a future in that. In Erie, Pa., which was as soon as referred to as the boiler and engine capital of the world, steel artwork wasn’t essentially celebrated. Steel elements for issues like locomotives and building gear have been extra prized.
In order that’s what he did. He labored for the household welding enterprise and acquired his certifications. He later tried working in numerous settings, like repairing barges, constructing tugboats, and welding components for locomotives, however he didn’t really feel content material.
“I really like welding. I do and nonetheless do to this present day,” Stempka mentioned, “however I used to be simply lacking one thing.”
He mentioned his “aha second” got here when he noticed the lifelike work of steel sculptor David Madero. He knew that’s what he wished to do along with his life.
Round this time, he acquired a request for a steel deer cranium mount. Upon completion of that mission, the identical individual requested a steel reproduction of a battle-worn, tattered American flag. He discovered the work gratifying, however he additionally noticed it as a pathway to a different profession.
“I began pondering that I might make these flags and make a enterprise out of it,” he mentioned. The founding of Metalheads, a web based enterprise the place he sells the handcrafted flags, quickly adopted.
Making these flags on the facet offered Stempka with further revenue, however it didn’t completely scratch that artistic itch he had. Then got here a request for a commissioned work, a cello sculpture, in 2021.
Stempka used metal, brass, and copper within the Combined Steel Cello sculpture. He eliminated a number of the exterior to disclose the hole inside and put inside lighting inside to light up it. A patina was utilized to imitate an previous wood end.
“Taking that to him and seeing how happy with it he was and the way proud I used to be of creating it, it was like, ‘Adam, it’s a must to do that sculpture factor and simply go all in,’” Stempka mentioned.
Stempka created The Seeker throughout a one-month invited residency on the Buffalo Creek Artwork Middle in Gardnerville, Nev. The 15-ft.-tall sculpture consists of hand-formed 0.5-in. metal rods, every individually formed, positioned, and welded to construct the determine’s construction. Stempka mentioned the sculpture displays a end result of 4 years of private ideas, feelings, and non secular experiences. Put in in August 2025, The Seeker now resides completely throughout the Buffalo Creek Artwork Middle Sculpture Park.
He adopted up the cello sculpture with a collection of guitar sculptures, one in every of which ended up within the nation star Luke Bryan’s possession. He labored on animal shapes. He’s additionally executed a public sculpture for Titusville, Pa., house to the primary oil nicely within the U.S.; brass palm timber for a lounge in Fresno, Calif.; and a aid of the Nittany Lion for a brand new corridor on the Penn State Behrend campus in Erie. His portfolio retains rising as extra individuals study his work through social media.
Even along with his newfound success, Stempka doesn’t think about his earlier life as a full-time welder in manufacturing environments as being wasted. That’s the place he sharpened his abilities to govern steel.
“The way in which you warmth steel and work with it and the completely different textures you can pull, all of that got here from expertise,” he mentioned.
Stempka desires to proceed constructing each the Metalheads and Stempka Designs manufacturers. Metalheads is producing official merchandise marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and Stempka Designs continues to hunt alternatives to work with companies, public establishments, and artwork fans. In the meantime, Stempka remains to be engaged on his craft.
“There are such a lot of issues that I’m studying and I’m getting higher at,” he mentioned. “I don’t assume I’m the most effective that’s ever been, so I’m consistently pushing myself. I benefit from the problem.”
He’s additionally eager about sharing his story of private development. Describing his life as just a little little bit of a “mess” as a youngster, Stempka mentioned he dedicated himself to “doing the appropriate factor” and “cleansing up his act.” That concerned a non secular journey as nicely, by which prayer performed virtually as essential a job as welding.
Steel artwork not solely offered Stempka the liberty to pursue his true ardour; it gave him an outlet that’s a constructive retreat from the world round him. He feels there’ll come a time when he may have a a lot bigger stage to share his story of religion, however proper now his artwork is sharing that message.
This cello sculpture, which weighs simply over 500 lbs., was one in every of Stempka’s first commissioned items. This opened the door to different alternatives, together with fabricating a customized steel guitar sculpture for nation star Luke Bryan.
