Betsy Alwin

Experience the power of hot metal casting in this two-week intensive workshop covering the entire process of creating a cast metal sculpture. Students start by learning how to create wax forms to be transformed into bronze or aluminum, then are guided through the highly technical process of creating the ceramic shell mold, the burn-out process, and casting hot metal. Participants also explore the green sand-casting technique for quick-casting possibilities. Students come away with the knowledge, vocabulary, and an understanding of cast metal’s place in contemporary art practice. This workshop is ideal for anyone who has never cast metal before and for those who wish to brush-up on their skills.

This basic mold-making workshop focuses on plaster piece molds for slip and press-mold casting. Students are guided through the technical aspects of design of an object for casting, development of a plaster mold, and methods of casting. Discussion and demonstration give insight to how artists use this practice to create a catalog of forms and objects to use again and again in their work. Participants come away with knowledge of best practices, functioning piece molds, and a bisqued cast form.

Enhance mold-making knowledge and skills in this fast-paced casting workshop. We focus on the physical and conceptual implications of casting multiples, sharing and discussing strategies many artists use to shape space and create meaning with the cast form. Students refine their skills, learning how to cast a variety of materials- including silicone, plaster, and foam. Along with demonstrations of different mold-making techniques, students learn best studio practices for economical and efficient casting processes. Participants leave with new skills and a broader understanding of the role of the cast form in contemporary art. Watch Betsy Alwin give a foam casting demo.

The course is a hands-on exploration of the methods of green sand casting, leading students in the process of using sand as a recyclable mold material to cast hot metal. We explore the techniques of creating a simple rigid pattern in wood, plaster, or a PLA 3D print. A wooden box, called a flask, is created to hold the sand mold and molten metal is then poured into the sand to take the shape of the pattern. This process can be repeated from scratch rapidly and allows for the sand to be recycled and used again, making it an economical and ecological method for working through ideas quickly. Class time consists of in-depth demonstrations balanced with plenty of studio work time for exploration, experimentation, and finishing. Must be 18 years old to participate.