Carl Reed

Throughout art history, steel has been associated with industry, strength, and even violence. This workshop challenges those associations by exploring ways to make steel appear visually delicate, and by creating new meanings through its combination with materials of contrasting characteristics. Participants engage in exercises that address both technical and creative questions, including how steel is cut, shaped, and joined, as well as how to rethink its role in a composition—treating steel as a secondary, supporting element rather than the primary focus. Through experimentation, students learn to challenge material assumptions and expand the expressive potential of steel in contemporary sculpture. We explore the aesthetic and technical consequences of combining steel with soft, vulnerable, contradictory, and unexpected materials.

Discover the versatility of steel in this mixed-media workshop exploring contemporary sculpture. Open to all experience levels, this course demonstrates how mastering a new process can unlock unimagined aesthetic possibilities. Beginners will learn fundamental techniques to cut, shape, and join steel, discovering the metal's ability to appear everything from aggressive and durable to delicate and organic. Experienced Artists new to sculpture will learn to translate their ideas into 3D compositions, practicing how to “draw in space” and ensure structural coherence from every angle. Seasoned Sculptors can push their boundaries by integrating steel with contrasting materials like wood, leather, cloth, or paper. Instruction is tailored through individual critiques, technical demonstrations, and group visual analysis. Whether you stick to traditional metalwork or experiment with mixed media, you are encouraged to work at the pace and style that best suits your interests.