From Restoration
to Art

From Restoration to Art: How One Student Found His Creative Spark in Welding

What began as a simple car restoration project turned into an unexpected journey of creativity, craftsmanship, and artistic expression through welding.

When Steve Mathusek retired and relocated to the Crystal Coast in 2013, he wasn’t planning to become an artist. At the time, he was simply working on restoring his 1976 MG Midget—a classic British sports car. But a challenge in his garage led him somewhere unexpected: into the welding program at Carteret Community College.

“I kept burning through panels while trying to weld on the car,” Mathusek explained. “So I came here to learn how to do it properly.”

Under the guidance of instructors like Steve Martin, Mathusek enrolled in a structural welding course and earned certification through the American Welding Society. But while learning technical skills, something else caught his attention—students creating artistic metal pieces.

“That’s what got me started,” he said.

Turning Metal Into Motion

What began as a practical pursuit quickly transformed into a creative passion. Mathusek started exploring artistic welding, beginning with foundational techniques like cutting and shaping flat metal before moving into more complex, dimensional designs.

One of his standout pieces is a detailed Spanish mackerel, brought to life through careful heat control. The vibrant colors in the fish aren’t paint—they’re the result of precise temperature changes during the welding process.

“All the colors you see come from heat,” Mathusek said. “As the temperature rises, the metal changes color—from straw to amber, to purple, to blue. But if you go too far, it turns gray and the piece is ruined.”

This level of control requires both technical skill and artistic intuition—something students in the welding program develop through hands-on experience.

Craftsmanship Meets Creativity

Mathusek’s portfolio reflects both innovation and dedication. His work includes a hammerhead shark crafted from a railroad spike, as well as a deeply personal piece—a hollow, hand-formed violin made for his wife.

“That one was intense,” he said. “It’s hollow, and the strings are made from weld material.”

Another ambitious project—a full metal saxophone—pushed his skills even further. Built entirely from flat steel, the piece required careful shaping, bending, and repeated trial and error, especially when forming the instrument’s curved bell.

“I probably started that part three different times,” he recalled. “I used paper models first because paper bends easily—steel doesn’t.”

Once assembled, the saxophone was brazed and coated in brass, adding both durability and visual appeal. Mathusek even fabricated the intricate keys and designed a custom stand to display the finished piece.

Learning Beyond the Basics

Mathusek’s journey highlights what makes Carteret Community College’s welding program unique. While students gain industry-recognized certifications and technical expertise, they’re also encouraged to explore creativity and personal expression.

From structural welding to artistic design, the program provides a foundation that allows students to pursue both career-ready skills and creative passions.

For Mathusek, what started as a way to fix a car turned into something far more meaningful.

“I came here to learn how to weld,” he said. “I didn’t expect to start creating art.”

For more information about our Welding program visit carteret.edu.