This course explores traditional lost wax casting, a technique over 6,000 years olds. Participants will translate an inspirational personal object of their choice into wax and then cast it in bronze.
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18+ Beginner and advanced participants welcome
Workshop Highlights
Day 1 - June 13
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Talk: “A Brief History of Casting” - Learn about its traditional and contemporary forms, and specifically the process of lost wax casting.
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Creative exercises to interpret keepsake into bronze sculpture: Why is the object of significance and what meanings does it hold for you? What are the essential qualities of these objects?
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Demonstration of wax forming techniques. Begin working the waxes.
Day 2 - June 14
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Demonstration on sculpting and carving various waxes and hand-tools.
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Guided execution of student designs, applying techniques demonstrated.
Day 3 - June 15
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Architectural Walking Tour of Cranbrook Campus
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Personalized assistance from instructors to discuss & guide students through individual projects.
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Demonstration of sprue-ing techniques for effective casting.
Workshop Highlights
Day 4 - June 20
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Bronze Casting Day!
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Assist in mesmerizing process of melting and pouring bronze into molds.
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Frank Lloyd Wright Smith House Tour.
Day 5 - June 21
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Talk: "History of Patinas and Metal Finishing Techniques"
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Demonstration on cleaning casts by cutting spurs and sanding bronze.
Day 6 - June 22
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Patina, wax and clearcoat application on sculptures.
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Students' presentation on their individual projects.
All materials, tools, lunch and snacks provided. ​
All photos on this page by Eric Perry.
