Sculpture
Code: S1513-24
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Open to All
Students of any skill and knowledge level.
Green Sand Casting Bronze and Aluminum
Sep 9 - 20, 2024
9AM - 5PM
Concept
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.
Media & Techniques
Hot metal casting, green sand, wooden flask-making, wood patterns, plaster patterns, 3D printing, mold-making, patina, metal finishing
Supply ListFaculty
Betsy Alwin
Artistic Director of Ceramics and Expanded Media
Betsy Alwin is the Artistic Director of Ceramics and Expanded Media at Anderson Ranch. She is a sculptor working in ceramics and mixed media. She attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and holds an MFA from Illinois State University. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including the Berkshire Botanical Gardens (Mass MoCA), the National Botanic Gardens in Washington D.C., AIR Gallery, New York, The Phipps Center, Hudson WI, Gallerie Lucida in Red Brick, NJ, and The Ceramic Art Avenue Art Gallery, Jingdezhen, China. Public commissions include sculptures at the Onoden Elementary School in Tokyo, Japan, Franconia Sculpture Park in Shafer, MN, and Silverwood Park in St. Anthony, MN. She is the recipient of numerous awards including a 2022 Artist Individual Support Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and is a 2025 Aspen Museum Artist Fellow. Alwin is represented by Rubine Red Gallery in Palm Springs, CA.
Workshop Details
Workshop Supplies
For general information about studio access, shipping, and more, please visit our info page.
If you have any questions regarding your supplies for your workshop, please contact William Lanzillo, [email protected].
Lodging & Meals
Housing is limited and includes shared and private lodging options. Reservations will be managed on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you reserve housing, the better your chance of receiving your preferred option. Please note: Workshop costs do not include accommodations.
NEW: Course fees includes a welcome dinner and lunches. In our effort to foster a stronger sense of community and accessibility at Anderson Ranch, we include the welcome dinner and all lunches as part of course fees for summer workshop students. Our hope is that this adjustment will encourage all students to come together to share meals and engage in meaningful conversations. The Ranch Café Meal Plan, which is included with Room and Board fees, strives to provide healthy, creative meals that will nourish your artistic creativity. Learn more.
We have established a Business Safety Plan with added layers of precaution that prioritize the health and safety of our staff, students, faculty and guests while continuing to provide you with the Anderson Ranch experience that you know and enjoy.
Sculpture
Sculpture Studio in Aspen / Snowmass
The Sculpture Studio at Anderson Ranch Arts Center, located in Snowmass Village near Aspen, Colorado, is a purpose-built professional sculpture facility designed to support large-scale fabrication, material experimentation, and immersive studio practice. The space accommodates a wide range of processes, including carving, welding, casting, kinetic systems, and mixed-media construction.
With indoor and outdoor work areas, specialized tools, and technical infrastructure for both traditional and contemporary approaches, the Sculpture Studio provides artists the freedom to work across scale and material with structural support and professional-grade equipment.
Interested in enrolling? Explore the full schedule of Sculpture workshops at Anderson Ranch.
Express your creativity and vision by exploring the limitless art of sculpture. At Anderson Ranch, our sculpture program offers a vibrant spectrum of workshops that reflect a variety of studio practices. At the confluence of tradition and technology, these programs are material and technique-rich, ranging from classical metal fabrication to experimental digital production.
Students work in communal and interactive studios designed for all levels of experience, supporting traditional and nontraditional methods. The sculpture studios are fully equipped with advanced machinery and offer additional outdoor covered workspace.
Our renowned sculpture faculty work closely with students through critical discussions, material demonstrations and individual assistance. Instructors encourage exploration and experimentation, emphasizing process and idea development. We complement this with a focus on process and sound construction. You leave with far more than finished pieces—you walk away with the tools and inspiration required to elevate your studio practice.
Don’t know where to start? View the skill levels for sculpture workshops.
Anderson Ranch Arts Center is a historic, rustic campus that features gravel pathways and uneven terrain that may pose challenges for individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. We strive to provide accommodations to ensure all guests can access and enjoy our programs and facilities. With advance notice, our staff can offer personalized assistance and coordinate access to studios and campus spaces. For questions or to request an accommodation, please contact us at (970) 923-3181 or [email protected].
Scholarships, College Credit & Discounts
Making Art Accessible
Applications for scholarship support are encouraged. Specific scholarships are funded by Ranch supporters, either through endowed funds or special gifts.
Many colleges and universities offer college credit for workshops taken at Anderson Ranch. Discounts are available for students and teachers.
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Level II
Students have a basic knowledge of 3-D art making and sculpture concepts and are comfortable using a variety of hand and power tools. Students have taken one or two sculpture classes or workshops.
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Level III
Students have experience with a variety of materials and fabrication techniques and know how to use hand and power tools competently and safely. Students are self-starting with some formal training in critical aspects of sculpture and have a portfolio of artwork. Students have taken a minimum of three classes or workshops.
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Level IV
Students have advanced skills and knowledge of sculpture. Students are highly motivated, have a minimum of five years experience in the field and have multiple portfolios of their artwork. Typical students are academics and professional artists.
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Studio Session
Aug 17 - 21, 2026
9AM-5PM
Summer Studio Session: Sculpture
William Lanzillo
Tuition $1,250
Code S1214-26
The Studio Sessions at Anderson Ranch provide artists the opportunity to work on independent projects while receiving mentoring and critique sessions with Anderson Ranch artistic staff and interns. Each participant receives an assigned studio space, orientation, and access to equipment, as well as some group demonstrations and / or critiques. This program affords artists the experience enjoyed by national and international artists who access our state-of-the-art studios. Participants may expand their practices, take artistic risks, try new media or complete works for exhibition. *Studios are open 24 hours a day with limited use of equipment due to safety requirements. The machine rooms are only available when monitored – weekdays 9 AM-5 PM. Evening monitoring hours are Mondays – Thursdays, 7 – 9 PM. IMPORTANT DETAILS: Students will be responsible for all material costs associated with their projects. TO APPLY: Applicants must submit project proposals or portfolios for approval. Contact Betsy Alwin, Artistic Director of Ceramics and Expanded Media, to apply: [email protected]
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O
Open to All
Students of any skill and knowledge level.
Aug 24 - 28, 2026
9 AM - 5 PM
Intro to Glass Flame Working: Framework Sculpting
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Tuition $1,300
Code S1311-26
Discover the magic of flame-working in this hands-on glass sculpture workshop. Participants learn to use a torch to melt borosilicate glass rods into both 2D and 3D networked sculptures, guided by the instructor and a team of expert flame workers. The workshop begins with clear glass to build a foundational understanding of the torch and how glass behaves when heated and manipulated. Once comfortable with the basics, participants may choose to work with colored glass. Through hands-on guidance, students develop the skills to create intricate, networked glass forms while exploring the material’s unique properties and expressive potential. Clear glass will be provided to students. A link to purchase colors will be provided in advance so students may bring their selected materials to the workshop.
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II
Level II
Students have a basic knowledge of 3-D art making and sculpture concepts and are comfortable using a variety of hand and power tools. Students have taken one or two sculpture classes or workshops.
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III
Level III
Students have experience with a variety of materials and fabrication techniques and know how to use hand and power tools competently and safely. Students are self-starting with some formal training in critical aspects of sculpture and have a portfolio of artwork. Students have taken a minimum of three classes or workshops.
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Level IV
Students have advanced skills and knowledge of sculpture. Students are highly motivated, have a minimum of five years experience in the field and have multiple portfolios of their artwork. Typical students are academics and professional artists.
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9 AM - 5 PM
Built to Last: Making Durable Sculpture
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Code S1412-26
Learn how to make sculptures that can withstand the test of time in this experimental workshop that joins steel, substrate, concrete, paper, and other coatings. Participants bend and weld steel armatures and structures–the bones of a sculpture–that can support surface materials that are textured, colorful, and durable. We concentrate on basic metalworking skills, covering techniques for problem-solving toward specialized forms. Students learn basic metal forming, bending, welding, and how to mix and apply various surface materials. The workshop integrates technical proficiency with experimental approaches that introduce unique textures and exciting new possibilities for durable and tactile sculpture.