Cranbrook Bronze Casting Workshop (Six Days)

Bronze Casting (6 Days Total)
Taught over two long weekends: June 13-15 and June 20-22

This course explores traditional lost wax casting, a technique over 6,000 years old, transforming wax into a finished bronze sculpture. Participants will translate an inspirational personal object of their choice into wax and then cast it into bronze.

Through the dynamic and transformative process of casting, participants will leave with a new understanding of what it means to make a new keepsake evocative of their time at Cranbrook.

Instructors: Alissa Lamarre, Catherine Sweeney (MFA Metalsmithing 2025), Fanni Somogyi (MFA Metalsmithing 2025), and Megan Tamas, Academy Resources Manager.
Instructor Language: English

Skill Level: This workshop is open to beginners and advanced students, age 18+.

Location: Metalsmithing department of Cranbrook Academy of Art in the New Studios Building. Bronze casting will take place outdoors.
Parking: Cranbrook Art Museum Parking Lot.

Schedule Overview: The detailed daily schedule of the workshop is listed on Eventbrite. The first three days of the workshop will include presentations, group discussions, 1-on-1 sessions, handbuilding a wax form, and a walking tour. The second three days will start with bronze casting, patina application discussion and application, and student presentations of their work.

Cost: $1,900.00 USD
Materials provided with the cost of the workshop: wax, hand tools, ceramic shell, 5 lbs of bronze for casting (additional material is available at extra cost), PPE – Personal Protective Equipment, safety glasses, gloves.

Required dress for safety: All participants must dress safely and appropriately while on-site to participate in this workshop. Natural fiber clothing, long pants, and shoes must have closed toes and no heels. No high heels, wedges, etc. Long hair must be tied back. Nylon, polyester, spandex, or other synthetic fabrics are not allowed in the hot shop. Additional protective gear will be provided as needed.

If the workshop does not meet the minimum participants, it will be cancelled, and any purchases will be fully refunded.

Info: • Bring your inspirational object. Item must be no larger 6in x 6in in size and drawings of your object.

• Casting Presentation – Traditional & Contemporary Forms.

• Discuss traditional lost wax casting techniques and process.

Info: • 1 on 1 with instructors to discuss & guide individual projects

• Hand building with wax & hand tools.

Info: • Finalize wax forms

• Walking Tour with Kevin Adkisson, Curator at the Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research.

• Prepare the wax forms for dipping in ceramic shell for casting.

Info: Bronze casting day

Info: • Presentation: Patinas and Finishing Techniques

• Finish cleaning ceramic shell off bronze casts.

Info: • Patina application

• Students' presentations on their individual projects

Also check out other Workshops in Bloomfield Hills, Arts events in Bloomfield Hills, Fine Arts events in Bloomfield Hills.