Metal Casting in the Foundry

Cast your own pattern or use one of BARN's in this introduction to metal casting.

Meeting Times

Thur, 3/21/2024 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Thur, 3/21/2024

Closed

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About

Learn and advance your metal-art skills by casting bronze or aluminum into a mold you've already created, you make in our Patternmaking for Casting in the Foundry class or one of our stock patterns.

Molten metal is poured into the mold you’ve formed in green sand (an environmentally safe mixture of fine sand, clay, and water). After your casting cools, you’ll free it from the mold and experience the thrill as your artistic creation emerges.

Metal casting is the second of three basic steps of the foundry arts. What begins with a creative idea for a casting of art, utility, or both, evolves this way:

Make the pattern (carved, printed, or fabricated)
Create the casting (this class) by forming the mold, melting and pouring the metal into the mold, and then breaking the casting out of the mold.
Finish the casting (remove the sprues, gates and runners; grind and finish and complete any additional machining required; and apply the desired finish or patina).

No need to be concerned about attending this class before you’ve made a pattern. When casting inspires your creative energies, take Patternmaking for Casting in the Foundry. Then take the Metal Casting class again - as often as you like. Our instructors help each student advance, no matter their skill level.

After casting your piece, register to clean up, polish, and finish it in our Finishing a Metal Casting class.

Details

This class meets off site at 9392 Wardwell Ave. N.E., Bainbridge Island

Materials

A materials fee of $25, included in the cost of the class, covers all you'll need.

Class Policies

Ages 14 and up are welcome
Wear natural fiber clothing, long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes (natural fiber or leather). No stretch fabrics, hoodie ties, or dangling jewelry such as bracelets that can get caught in machinery. Tie back long hair.

BARN Policies

View BARN's Cancellation and Refund Policy
View BARN's current COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
BARN is committed to accessibility. Tuition Assistance is available. Fill out the application before registering.
Makerspaces like BARN can be noisy and cluttered, smell strongly, and have bright or flickering lights. We try to make accommodations when requested; the earlier you contact us, the more likely we can help. Please email accessibility@bainbridgebarn.org to find out more or request an accommodation.
For those who might need physical assistance, learn more about BARN's Companion Program.

Instructors or Guides

Mario Oblak

Mario Oblak honed his passion for casting metal with a BFA (University of Washington) and an MFA (Rhode Island School of Design) in sculpture. Creating, designing, and building in different materials and mediums is a joy, but working in liquid metal is “it” for him. Mario feels “casting is a magical process that requires patience, skill, labor, and teamwork, with the results both satisfying and permanent.” By sharing his knowledge and experience, Mario wants to help others explore, learn, and develop skills so they can see their ideas come to life.

Jeff Oens

Jeff Oens is a widely renowned sculptor with bronze artwork exhibited in prominent art collections and public displays across the United States and Canada. He is best known for his outstanding wildlife sculptures, but his portfolio also includes human figures, mythical creatures, and other diverse subjects, ranging in size from miniature to monumental. Many of Jeff’s sculptures can be seen around the industrial park on Three Tree Lane.

Frank Wurden

Frank Wurden earned his BS in electrical engineering at the University of Washington, and a BFA degree with an emphasis in life drawing, sculpting, and foundry art working with green sand, CO2 sand casting, investment casting, and ceramic shell casting. Sculpture materials were clay, foam, wood, or wax for the patterns, and casting in aluminum, bronze, and stainless steel. Frank says it’s been many years since he's actually done casting, so it’s great fun to get back into it.