Sculpture
Code: S0303-26
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Open to All
Students of any skill and knowledge level.
Sculptural Paper Casting and Forming
Jun 15 - 19, 2026
9 AM - 5 PM
Concept
In this foundational paper-making workshop, students transform pulp into one-of-a-kind cast-paper sculptures. Beginning with dry abaca pulp, participants learn to reconstitute, beat, dye, and cast sheets using a traditional mold and deckle. Abaca paper, with its long fibers and impressive wet strength, is ideal for sculptural manipulation. Students mold wet sheets onto objects brought from home, found in the studio, or discovered in the environment. Sewing and gluing techniques are used to combine dried paper forms into cohesive sculptural creations. By the end of the week, students gain a versatile set of paper-making and sculptural skills that can be adapted to any studio environment.
Media & Techniques
Abaca paper, dry pigments, adhesive, mold and deckle, press-molding, sewing, casting
Faculty
Leah Aegerter
Leah Aegerter is a sculptor working with a combination of digital fabrication techniques and traditional processes in wood and paper to investigate her relationship to geology and deep time. Leah received a BFA in Sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design, and was named an Aspen Art Museum Artist Fellow in 2022.
Leah Aegerter, After Staring at the Sun, 2024, Abaca paper, natural pigment, basswood, graphite paper
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
- Buckets
- Immersion blenders
- Molds and deckles
Supplies
- Assorted powdered pigments
- Assorted thread
- Elmer's glue
- Mold release
- Nitrile gloves
- Oil Clay
- Plaster*
- Scrap wood and scrap material
- Silicon rubber
- Sponges
- Towels
- Unbleached abaca paper
- Bleached abaca paper
- Urethane rubber
- Wire
What you need to bring
Optional Tools and Supplies
- Respirator/N99 masks**
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen**
- A reusable water bottle
- Any mark-making tools or paints that you wish to apply to the paper surface after it's been molded
- 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**
- Objects or textures from home that you wish to mold
- Sketchbook**
- Tools that you own that you will be unhappy without.
* 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
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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