Learn and advance your metal-art skills by casting bronze or aluminum into a mold you've already created in our Patternmaking for Casting in the Foundry class, or use 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:

1. Make the pattern (carved, printed, or fabricated).
2. Create the casting (in this class) by forming the mold, melting, and pouring the metal into the mold, and then breaking the casting out of the mold.  
3. 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.