50 Years of Metal Art Experience
The Van Doren Metal Art Workshop is the result of our combined 50 years of experience.
As a father/son team, we have a background in all applications of metal art, including Mig/Tig/Arc/Spot welding, forging, casting and soldering. Together, we have spent the majority of the last 30 years doing large scale, corporate, public, and private metal art installations and water features. We continue to produce commission pieces, and some of our work can be seen here in San Miguel De Allende, at our gallery, Van Doren Studio in SMA’s Fabrica Aurora.
Our workshop itself houses an incredibly rare collection of vintage and new equipment you won't find anywhere else in the world. We have collected incredible tools from the 1930's, 40s, and 50's all the way up through the highest tech machinery available today.
Over the years, we have had a resounding and continued interest, from family, friends, and the public to learn the craft of metal art. As the next step in our artistic journey, we decided to open our San Miguel studio to the world with Van Doren Metal Art Workshops. With these workshops we pass on our vast experience, and teach the joys of creating within multiple mediums of metal. We have a continued passion for all things Metal Art, and love passing on this amazing craft.
The response has been incredible. We have had over 3000 attendees through 300+ sessions since we opened our doors to the public just 9 short years ago.
Feel free to check out the Trip Advisor for more great pictures of our students in action, as well as over 400+ all 5 star reviews making us the #1 rated Class/Workshop not only in San Miguel De Allende, but in all of Guanajuato State 8 years running.
Van Doren Children's Metal Art Charity Program
Though we have always been involved with multiple charitable organizations locally and regionally here in San Miguel, we wanted to do more. We realized there was a huge need for arts programs for underprivileged children in our community.
So several years ago we created the Van Doren Children's Metal Art Program.
The charity sponsors girls and boys ages 7-16 from all over the local and regional area to come into the workshop. We cover all their expenses, and give them artistic and vocational training that they might never otherwise receive. The goal is to provide these kids with inspiration and life skills that they will be able to use for the rest of their years.
There are some wonderful pictures of prior sessions below.
The program has been a resounding success, but we have a long list of kids to take care of thus we are continuing the charity to infinity and beyond!
So every workshop registration sponsors one Campo/Colonia child to come through. If you are interested in sponsoring a child in general or you know a kiddo here in the community you would like to sponsor please contact us as we would love to have them come through the workshop.
Contact us
Find out more about scheduling a workshop with us!