Casting Workshop Chicago - May 17, 18, 19
May - 3 Day Intensive - Casting Workshop hosted at the Pilsen Studio of Mickey Alice Kwapis
Who:
Anyone interested in learning about the lost wax casting process, molding and directly casting jewelry and objects. No prior metalsmithing experience is necessary. Enrollment is capped at 12 participants.
When:
Friday, May 17th 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday May 18th 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m
Sunday May 19th 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
Where:
The Chicago loft studio of Mickey Alice Kwapis in Pilsen; 2233 S Throop St, Chicago IL, 606608. The building is ADA accessible. Expect an email Monday before the class with check-in instructions. You will not be able to access the building without these instructions.
What:
3 day workshop demonstrating wax carving, soft wax sculpting, mold making, cutting, wax injecting, organic (botanical?) casting, vacuum assisted lost wax casting process, cleanup of castings, and polishing/finishing and various metalsmithing tips and tricks.
Participants will be invited to create UP TO 5 small pieces for casting utilizing carving, sculpting and/or organic casting techniques. The pieces will be sterling silver.
Participants are invited to cast botanical objects and can create additional pieces utilizing carving and sculpting as time allows and considering space in the kiln.
All equipment will be provided
Wax, wax pen, carving tools, casting equipment, burnout kiln, investment, wax injector, heat gun, magnetic finisher, flex shaft, tumbler, abrasives, files, polishing compound, investment, bench pins, hand tools
Students are welcome to bring their own hand tools if they already have them. I estimate the metal cost for each student to be around $60-80 depending on the volume of castings.
How:
The workshop will demonstrate and explain principles of casting, techniques such as mold making and cutting, injecting waxes to create multiples, explanation of all equipment, and work sessions for participants to create their own items using the process. Students will leave the workshop with one finished jewelry item or object, and any experimental castings that they create. They will leave the workshop with knowledge, experiences, digital reference materials to access indefinitely, handouts, fun sketches, notes, and instructional reference videos. The course will be taught by me (Theresa Applegate!) I have 12 years experience teaching high school visual art including jewelry courses, and 22 years of metalsmithing experience. You’re in good hands.
Why?
Because melting things is awesome. Learning new things is awesome. Seeing museum worthy taxidermy is awesome. Meeting new people is awesome. I hope you can join!