Iterations: Wax Sculpture for Bronze Casting

This course meets 4 times per class session. Please check the Agenda above for the dates included in each session. By purchasing a ticket, you are committing to attend all meetings included in that session. The title of the Agenda page will indicate which ticket to purchase for that session.

Instructor - Jules H

Jules first learned casting from a jewelry perspective and is currently interested in many types of metal sculpture and jewelry. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Creative Studies & Fine Arts. A proud generalist with a professional background in non-profits, at Artisans Asylum she serves as a casting shop tool tester, instructor, and a member of the Gallery A2 panel. She loves cats, coffee, fostering creativity and building community.

Class Description

Join us for a special bronze lost-wax casting course which encourages you to engage with and iterate on the creation process, from concept through forming and casting a small (2 x 3 inch) bronze sculpture or sculptural jewelry item. Over 3 weeks and 4 evening class sessions, each student will identify a concept, form, or theme they wish to iterate on. Students will explore their choice by designing and sculpting several iterations via additive (shaping soft wax) and subtractive (carving hard wax) sculpture methods. In addition to instruction students will discuss and provide mutual constructive feedback as designs evolve. Students are strongly encouraged to work on their concepts and wax models in between class sessions. This course will culminate in investing and lost-wax casting each student’s selected final piece in ancient bronze. This class embraces the theme of the Gallery A2 exhibition, Iterations: Perseverance of Craft and includes a brief visit to the exhibit, which is next to the casting shop.

Note: In order to cast well, our miniature sculptures will be no greater than 2 x 3 inches, and no less than 2mm in any dimension.

Material Fee

The materials fee for this class is $30. This is separate from the ticket price and is to reimburse the instructor for any tools or materials used in this class. This will be paid once, directly to the instructor at the start of the first class meeting. This instructor accepts payments in Cash and Venmo.

Class Goals

Students will explore three dimensional design and sculpting in wax both during class and between classes. Please note the dates and class cadence carefully and plan to attend all 4 class meetings.

Week 1, class 1, Monday: shaping additive sculpture with soft wax

Week 2, class 2, Monday: carving subtractive sculpture in hard wax

Week 3, class 3, Sunday: selecting final piece, sprueing and investing

Week 4, class 4, Monday: bronze casting, removing sprues

• Intro to the Artisans Asylum Casting Shop
• Brief visit to Gallery A2’s current exhibit, Iterations: Perseverance of Craft, for inspiration
• Discussions of 3-dimensional design and sculpture
• Use of the Electromelt to melt and pour molten metal
• Lost-wax investment casting
• Cutting off sprues and buttons
• Basic overview of how to sand and file cast items
• Safety skills for all of the above
• How to leave the shop in ready to use condition

Take aways:

• A small bronze sculptural item created during class, plus design, sculpting, and casting skills and notes

Preparation to take the Artisans Asylum Casting Shop Tool Tests for:

• The Electromelt, Investment (Lost-Wax) Casting process

Material Supplied

All consumable casting materials, including metal for casting and casting media. The casting shop also provides the use of relevant tools and equipment including: wax and casting tools, Electromelt, safety leather aprons, gloves, safety glasses, N95 masks, and other tools.

Students Should Bring

A few ideas you’d like to explore in the design process

Something to take notes with.

Eye glasses if you use them, especially those for detailed work.

For casting day, class 4: Be sure to wear only natural fiber clothing (ex. cotton, wool, or leather), closed-toe shoes (preferably leather), long pants, and a shirt that covers shoulders, torso and upper arms, such as a cotton long-sleeved shirt or T-shirt.

Prerequisites

All students must be 18 years or older. No prior experience is necessary, yet there is still plenty to explore for students who do have casting shop, jewelry, or design experience. This class is suitable for total beginners, those looking for a refresher, and those seeking to become familiar with the Artisans Casting Shop.

Class Policies

Learn more about our class and ticket cancelation policies Here.

Please email education@artisansasylum.com with any questions.

*Sales end 24 hours before the start of the class to allow the instructor and staff time to prep.