Sculpture
Code: S1314-25
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Open to All
Students of any skill and knowledge level.
No Strings on Me: Marionette Making
Aug 25 - 29, 2025
9AM-5PM
Concept
The embodiment of human expression and mimicry, marionettes have historically captivated the imagination through their theatrical and allegorical power. This workshop guides participants through the process of designing, constructing, and presenting a marionette doll using personal stories and a variety of materials and processes such as wood, metal, 3D printing, and found objects.
Media & Techniques
Mixed media, PLA, hardware, wood, metal, 3D printer, bandsaw, sewing machines, hand tools, design, wood working, welding, 3D printing, sewing, assemblage
Faculty
Russell Hamilton
Russell Hamilton holds an MFA in Sculpture from the University of Washington, Seattle. He was an artist-in-residence at the Studio Museum in Harlem and attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in 1990 and 2021. His work has been shown in the US, Asia, and the Middle East. He is currently an associate professor at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
Marionette by workshop participant, Matty Davis, Old Toys Always Stay Young, 2024
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].
Provided by Anderson Ranch
Equipment
- 3D Printers
- Angle Grinders
- Bandsaw
- Cold Saw
- Drill Press
- Handheld plasma cutter
- MIG welding
- Miter Saw
Supplies
- ¼ Dowels
- ¼” Steel rod
- 18 g Steel sheet*
- Acrylic paint**
- Air Dry clay
- Assorted fabric remnants
- Assorted Hardware
- Bass Wood
- Epoxy
- Glue
- Graph paper
- N95 Respirators
- Nitrile gloves**
- PLA
- Wire
- Yarn, Thread and String
What you need to bring
Required Tools and Supplies
- Closed-toe shoes or work boots
Optional Tools and Supplies
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen**
- A reusable water bottle**
- Any materials that you may want for your projects
- Any Materials that you may want to use to pack up your projects to take home, ie: moving blankets, packing tape, bubble wrap or boxes.
- Basic white or light colored T-shirts for screen printing**
- Safety glasses**
- Tools that you own that you will be unhappy without.
- Work gloves**
* Available for purchase in the studio.
** Available to purchase at the Anderson Ranch ArtWorks Store for 10% off. The store aims to stock comparable items, though specific products from the supply list may vary based on inventory.
Learn more about shipping supplies and artwork to and from the Ranch in the Student Handbook.
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
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.
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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Portfolio Review Required
Students have advanced skill and knowledge of sculpture and know how to use machine and hand tools competently and safely. Students are highly motivated and have multiple portfolios of their artwork and are professionals in the field.
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Facilitated Studio Practice
Jan 5 - 23, 2026
Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM
Participants may register for one, two, or three weeks
TUITION is $1,255 per week or $3,765 for three weeks
January Studio Sessions: Sculpture
William Lanzillo
Tuition $1,255
Code ZSS0101-26
Anderson Ranch’s January Studio Sessions 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 morning 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 and on weekends for students enrolled in multiple weeks, 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. Participants who register for multiple consecutive weeks will gain access to the studios on weekends (with the exception of the machine rooms due to safety constraints.) Private dorm rooms are available at Anderson Ranch for one, two or three weeks for an additional fee; click here to view January 2025 lodging options. TO APPLY: Applicants must submit project proposals or portfolios for approval. Contact Betsy Alwin to apply: [email protected]