About

Guided foundry time is for skill development and practice; it is not a formal class. It’s a great opportunity to improve your skills, share ideas, and pour molten metal. There’s much to learn in making a mold from single- or multi-part patterns - where to place gates and vents, or how big to make the risers to have sufficient metal to remain molten and fill voids as the cast metal cools. The best way to learn all this is through hands-on practice, and these guided open studios are where you can do that.

The last half hour will be for properly cleaning the spaces and reorganization.

This is limited to four participants. Spectators are welcome with all safety requirements observed.

Location:  This is an off-site open studio.        
9392 Wardwell Ave. NE
Bainbridge Island

Details

• Prerequisite: BARN's Metal Casting at the Foundry class.
• Fees for this help cover the cost of fuel to operate the melt furnace. Material fees for bronze will be based on the net weight of material used at $12.50 per pound. Other metal charges will be based on current stock rates. Please bring cash or check to pay for the metal you use. 
  
• Participants must wear natural fiber clothing, long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes (natural fiber or leather). No stretch fabrics, no hoodie ties, or dangling jewelry such as bracelets that can get caught in machinery, are allowed. Please tie back long hair. 
• Please click here for BARN's current COVID-19 health & safety protocols. 

• BARN is committed to accessibility. Tuition Assistance is available - click here to fill out the simple application before registering for a class. For those who might need physical assistance, please learn about BARN's Companion Program here.

Monitors

Jeff Oens - A widely renowned sculptor with bronze artwork exhibited in prominent art collections and public displays across the United States and Canada, Jeff 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 - While getting his BS Electrical Engineering degree at the University of Washington, Frank also obtained a BFA degree with 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! “I totally enjoy the entire process and look forward to helping other people do the same.”

Mario Oblak - Mario honed his passion for casting metal with BFA (University of Washington) and MFA (Rhode Island School of Design) degrees 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.