Iterations: Wax Sculpture for Bronze Casting

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.

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

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

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.

Class day 1: shaping additive sculpture with soft wax

Class day 2: carving subtractive sculpture in hard wax

Class day 3: selecting final piece, sprueing and investing

Class day 4: bronze casting, removing sprues, basic finishing

• Intro to the Artisans Asylum Casting Shop
• 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

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.

• 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.
• Access to A2's Casting Shop and tools for the duration of the session.

Age 18+ No experience required

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.