Instructor Tobias Flores (Fort Hayes State University), along with assistants Danielle Robinson and Dan Schluckebeir, will lead this pre-conference workshop
starting at 9 AM on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025. Participants will create large molds, with iron weights ranging from 200 to 600 lbs. Each participant is allowed one mold. The workshop fee does not include sand or iron, which will be weighed and invoiced after the production pour. Iron costs $0.50 per pound, and sand is $0.75 per pound. To participate, a project proposal must be submitted to
nccciap@gmail.com for approval before the workshop.

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Workshop runs Tuesday, April 1st - Friday, April 4th from 9:30AM-5:30PM.

Instructor Jeremy Colbert (University of Kentucky) and Assistant Jason Kash will guide participants in creating parting lines and ramming a multi-part mold in resin- bonded sand. Participants must bring a completed pattern, no larger than 12 inches, sturdy enough to withstand the ramming process. Each participant is allowed one mold with two to ten parts. The workshop includes 100 lbs. of iron and 300 lbs. of resin-bonded sand. Patterns should fit within a 5-gallon bucket. For pattern suitability questions, contact nccciap@gmail.com.

Workshop runs Wednesday, April 5th - Friday, April 7th from 9:30AM-5:30PM.

Instructors Bob Rodgers and Charles Logan from the Metals Museum in Memphis, TN will introduce participants to green sand molding techniques. The two-day workshop will begin with instructions on the preparation and recipe for making green sand using petro-bond. Students will then make one small green sand mold using museum-supplied flasks, and molding tools, and switch plat patterns. Students may use various patterns provided by the museum or bring a pattern, that will survive vigorous ramming such as wood, metal or hard plastic to be cast.

Workshop runs Wednesday, April 2nd - Thursday, April 3rd from 9:30AM-5:30PM.

Instructors Rebecca A. Flis and Jacob Blaustein introduce participants to dung-molds and digital fabrication. This workshop will teach the history of West African dung molding and the specifics of digital fabrication. Participants explore the pros and cons of digitally produced patterns for use in foundry molds while getting hands-on experience with the entire dung-mold process.

Workshop runs Wednesday, April 2nd - Friday, April 4th from 9:30AM-5:30PM.

Instructors Waylon Bigsby and Vinny Verbug invite participants to an improvisational workshop designed to ignite creativity and spark inspiration! Casters will explore a fresh approach and embracing the unexpected. Creating sculptures from a unique collection of pattern materials provided exclusively by the instructors, participants embrace limitations and discover possibilities. This playful exploration of mold making, challenges participants to learn, innovate, and let their creativity flow, all that is required is open mind and an embrace the unknown!

Workshop runs Wednesday, April 2nd - Friday, April 4th from 9:30AM-5:30PM.

Instructor Derek Russell, assisted by David Fricke, will lead this pre-conference workshop on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025, at 9 AM. Participants will learn to sprue and prepare wax patterns for dipping in ceramic shell, a lost wax casting method that allows for intricate detail. Attendees must bring completed wax patterns weighing no more than 5 lbs. Only one mold is allowed, but multiple forms can be sprued on the same tree. The fee covers sprue wax, ceramic shell, burnout, and iron.
Participants must bring a respirator.

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Workshop runs Tuesday, April 1st - Friday, April 4th from 9:30AM-5:30PM

Instructor Michael Riemer will guide participants through the process of forging their own pair of foundry tongs from flat bar. Riemer will demonstrate and lead participants through each step from layout to drawing reins to setting rivets. Each participant will leave the conference with a working pair of tongs to use in their own practice.

Workshop runs Wednesday, April 2nd - Friday, April 4th from 9:30AM-5:30PM.