Bronze Casting: Guided Open Studio in the Foundry

Improve your skills, share ideas, and pour molten metal with a skilled monitor team.

BARN Member (discount)

$85.00 (any noted materials fee included)

non-BARN Member

$100.00 (any noted materials fee included)

Meeting Times

Tue, 5/7/2024 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Tue, 5/7/2024

See additional date options »

About

Guided foundry time is for those who have completed a previous foundry class or have recent foundry experience. You may want to develop your skills further, and practice under the guidance and support of monitors. This is not a class, and guidance is given on a project-by-project basis. There’s much to learn, such as making a mold from single- or multi-part patterns, where to place gates and vents, or how big to make the risers. The best way to learn all this is through hands-on practice, and these guided open studios are where you can do that.

Details

Limited to four participants.
The last half hour is set aside for properly cleaning the spaces and reorganization.
This takes place at Monkey Wrench Fabrication, 9392 NE Wardwell Road, Bainbridge Island.
Spectators are welcome by invitation and must adhere to all safety protocols. Receive your spectator invitation by contacting David Hays at metal.programming@bainbridgebarn.org at least 24 hours prior to the event.

If you have questions about this event, contact a member of the foundry team or David Hays at metal.programming@bainbridgebarn.org.

Materials

A $35 materials fee, included in the registration cost, helps cover the cost of fuel to operate the melt furnace and two pounds of bronze. Additional bronze material fees will be assessed on the net weight of material used at $12.50 per pound over two pounds. Other metal charges will be based on current stock rates. Please bring cash or check to pay for the metal you use.

Prerequisites

You must have completed Bronze Casting: Casting in the Foundry OR have instructor approval.

Class Policies

Wear natural fiber clothing, long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes (natural fiber or leather). No stretch fabrics, hoodie ties, or dangling jewelry. Long hair must be securely tied back.
This event is held in an unheated space. Please dress for the weather.
Eye protection is required.
Ages 14 and up are welcome.

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.