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What We Offer
Solar Steel Studios specializes in custom metal fabrication and unique artwork. Our offerings include tailored metal solutions for a variety of applications, from functional pieces to artistic installations. We prioritize quality craftsmanship and innovative design, ensuring each product not only meets our clients' specifications but also enhances the aesthetic appeal of their environments. Additionally, we host community workshops and classes, providing hands-on experiences that allow participants to explore technical and creative knowledge.
OUR
STORY
Some friendships are forged in fire.
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Solar Steel Studios was born in the heart of Chicago where three artists- Jakki, Fatima, and Olayinka, found each other amidst the sparks, heat, and rhythm of the metal shop at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
From collaborative fabrication projects to ambitious installations, their synergy became the driving force behind Solar Steel Studios. Their passion for making, whether sculptural or functional- was the foundation of a friendship that, much like their welds, proved to be unbreakable.
A multidisciplinary creative studio, Solar Steel Studios specializes in custom design and fabrication, all while nurturing an active practice of personal art. At the core of their work lies education, mentorship and community.
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OUR TEAM
JAKKI CAFARELLI
Artist/Fabricator
Jakki Cafarelli is a sculptor, metal fabricator, and co-founder of Solar Steel Studios. A Southside Chicago native, she holds a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and a Master’s in Arts Administration from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has spent over a decade working in the metal fabrication industry, honing a practice that merges fine-art sensibility with industrial precision.
Jakki’s background includes running a community-focused gallery in Pilsen, where she showcased her own functional designs, supported local artists, and hosted workshops and concerts. Today, she brings that same spirit of creativity and connection to Solar Steel Studios, crafting work rooted in durability, beauty, and community.
She is also a new mother to a baby boy - her greatest creation yet and a growing source of inspiration in her artistic practice.
FÁTIMA
Artist/Fabricator
FÁTIMA is a Mexican artist and co-founder of Solar Steel Studios, specializing in blacksmithing, metal casting, and fabrication. She holds a BFA in Sculpture and Printmaking from Loyola University New Orleans and an MFA in Sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Her work fuses ancient techniques with contemporary sculpture, exploring radical ancestry and ritualistic expression. At Solar Steel Studios, she brings meticulous craftsmanship, a deep embodied practice, and a vision that transforms raw materials into meaningful, enduring creations.
SAM OGUNLEYE
Artist/Designer/Fabricator
Olayinka Samuel Ogunleye is a Nigerian-born designer and artist with a BA in Graphic Design and Sculpture from Xavier University and a Master of Design (MDes) in Designed Objects from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a co-founder of Solar Steel Studios, he leads creative direction alongside his partners, guiding projects that merge art, design, and material exploration. His work reflects a commitment to collaboration, craftsmanship, and the transformative power of making.
Contact Us
Address
Solar Steel Studios LLC
2023 W Carroll Ave
Chicago, IL 60612
Contact
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri
8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am – 7:00 pm