The basics of working in metal are often taught during industrial arts classes in school, and it has been a class dominated by young men. Times are changing, and these classes are becoming more co-educational. This gives children of both genders a chance to explore the world of metal working, and some of them will go on in life to work in careers that include these valuable skills. A few of these students might eventually consider art as a career based on the principles they learned in class.
Metals are heavy substances, and they wear well over time. This is one reason to sculpt with them, but it has been mainly taught as a practical career. Art is becoming more prevalent in modern society, and the principles learned in the classroom can be applied to creating original pieces of beauty. A career in the arts can come in many forms, and working in metal has become more popular in the last few decades.