Workshops
Direct Carve Sand Casting
Instructor: Rhiannon Scheidt, Alfred University
This two-part workshop will demonstrate the processes of direct-carving resin-bonded sand molds for iron casting. All participants will start with a sand core and create a hand-carved, multiple part mold that will be reassembled for iron. This type of mold making relies on creating forms with the mechanics of iron in its molten state at the forefront. The techniques used will investigate subtractive carving practices as well as working and composing in negative space.
Smelting Iron with the Hybrid Japanese Tatara
Instructor: Wayne Potraz, University of Minnesota Professor Emeritus and Scholar of the College Emeritus
This workshop will practice smelting iron ore in a hybrid Japanese Tatara. Using Minnesota Magnetite iron ore and charcoal, participants will learn how to make high carbon steel and iron in the two-day workshop.
Day one includes a Powerpoint introduction [with historical examples,] furnace construction, tool construction, and material preparation. Day two: Salt and Fire Ceremony, Tatara Firing [8-9 hours], Furnace deconstruction and Bloom extraction, Bloom consolidation, and clean-up.
Advanced Greensand
Cup, Saucer, Spoon
Instructor: Bob Rodgers, the National Ornamental Metal Museum
Participants will learn how to make oil-bonded greensand, use the tools needed, and discover this molding process's advanced possibilities and limitations. The cup, saucer, and spoon mold were originally part of a final test in the U.S. Navy foundry. To become a professional mold maker, the applicant must complete a single mold of all three components and have the mold cast perfectly. Creating a multiple-part mold of a cup, saucer, and spoon in this way is challenging because of the fragility of the molding material! The workshop is devoted to advanced techniques in greensand to honor the tradition and history of this mold. Participants should bring their cup (no undercuts on the inside of the cup!), saucer, and spoon. The cup must be made of a rigid ceramic, glass, or hard plastic material. Wax patterns are not acceptable. The fee includes greensand, flasks, and iron.
I try to Cope, but it's a Drag (Beginning Greensand)
Instructors: Savannah Smith and Jeannie Saltmarsh Tomlinson, the National Ornamental Metal Museum
Participants will learn how to make oil-bonded greensand, use the tools needed, and discover the possibilities and limitations of this molding process. Participants will make two (2) two-part molds. First, the participants will make one small mold using switch plate patterns provided by the workshop instructors. The second mold can be made from various patterns supplied by the workshop instructors or a pattern brought by the participant, no larger than 6" x 6" x 4 inches thick. The patterns for the two-part mold should be made of rigid, durable material, such as wood, metal, or hard plastic. The fee includes greensand, patterns, flasks, and iron.
Matchplate Molds
Instructor: Kevin Vanek, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
In this workshop, participates will learn to create their own aluminum matchplates for mold reproduction. Participants will need to come with an object that can be molded in 2 parts.
Multi Parted Mold
Registration for this workshop is coming soon!
Learn how to create parting lines and ram a multi-part mold in resin-bonded sand. Participants must arrive with a completed pattern. Patterns should be no larger than 12 inches in any direction and sturdy enough to withstand the ramming-up process of mold creation. Participants are only allowed one mold, with a minimum of two parts and a maximum of ten pieces. The fee includes 100 lbs. of iron and 300 lbs. of resin-bonded sand.
Additional iron and sand can be purchased for $0.50/lb each.
Ceramic Shell
Registration for this workshop is coming soon!
This is a pre-conference workshop beginning at 9am on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023
In this workshop, participants will learn how to sprue and prepare wax pattern(s) for dipping in ceramic shell, which is one of many lost wax methods. Artists can achieve great detail with ease in this workshop. Participants must arrive with completed wax pattern(s) that weigh no more than 5 lbs. Participants are only allowed one mold; if needed, multiple forms can be sprued on the same tree. The fee includes sprue wax, ceramic shell, burnout, and iron. Participants will need to bring a respirator.
Large Mold
Registration for this workshop is coming soon!
This is a pre-conference workshop beginning at 9am on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023. Workshop fee does not include sand and iron.
Iron and sand are $0.50/lb.
You must submit a project proposal to nccciap@gmail.com to participate in the large mold workshop. Iron weight may range from 200 lbs. to 600 lbs. Only one mold will be allowed per participant.
