Upcoming classes

Switch to Calendar View

• Small Things Casting with Lost Wax

  • Start
    Thu, January 09, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Thu, February 27, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    8 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  Do you have an idea for a small-size sculpture or jewelry piece that you'd like to make in cast silver or bronze? This comprehensive class will immerse you in the process of lost wax casting in miniature form. You'll learn to carve wax, make molds, and cast small art objects or jewelry, using both centrifugal and vacuum assist casting. The class will cover safety protocols, the tools used for wax carving, techniques for pouring metal, and basic finishing of cast artworks. Our focus will be on wax carving to create patterns for casting, but not silicone/rubber molding or inclusion of stones. Questions about whether your project is suitable for this class? Get in touch with the instructor at jess.night@cafac.org. Class fee includes 1.5 troy ounces of silver and up to a half-pound of bronze. 

  No prior experience is required for this fundamental course. 

  $380 ($310 tuition + $70 materials)  |  8 weeks
  Open to ages 16 and up (parent/guardian should be on call for students under 18. 

  Instructor: Jess Night 

  Show details
• Creative Metal Casting: Mold-Making Fundamentals

  • Start
    Thu, February 06, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Thu, March 13, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    6 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  Dive into the captivating world of molten metal and unlock the secrets of cast metal sculpture in this immersive course! Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a curious beginner, join us on a journey through the essentials of mold-making, pouring bronze and aluminum, and a variety of finishing techniques.

  This project-driven class includes two endeavors:

  • Aluminum Sculpture: Utilize clay techniques to create a one-of-a-kind mold for open-face castings. These sculptures are perfect for mounting and can be finished with a variety of colored inks. Learn the basics of crafting custom hardware to elegantly display your work.
  • Small Scale Bronze: Take your skills to the next level in creating a 2-part sand mold using reductive carving. As you finish your piece you can add hardware to make it into a necklace, keychain, or other functional object.

  You'll emerge from this class with a newfound passion for casting, valuable skills and knowledge of multiple casting processes, along with two totally unique artworks.

  $285 ($235 tuition + $50 materials)  |  6 sessions
  Open to ages 16 and up.

  Instructor: Brighton McCormick

  Show details
• Casting Project Shop: Make a Cast Iron Art Tile

  • When
    Sat, March 15, 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    8

  Register

  Be part of CAFAC’s second iron pour!

  In this workshop, you’ll create a sand mold of your own design to be cast in iron at our Open (Hot)House on March 26. In this two-hour session, we’ll discuss the basics of the iron casting process and guide you through the process of reductive carving to create the mold for your tile. The workshop will ignite your interest in one of the myriad methods of metal casting and the magic of molten metal! No prior experience required.

  Then, you’re invited to join us on March 26, 6:30 to 9 p.m., for a fun and fiery community event that will feature our inaugural iron pour. You’ll be able to watch our artist team as they pour 2200° molten iron to cast the mold you carved in the workshop.

  A few notes:

  • If your tile requires any finishing after it’s poured, we’ll take care of that and have it ready for you to pick up by October 4. If you’re satisfied with it as is, you can take it with you after the pour.
  • Because of the sometimes unpredictable nature of the casting process, variations in your finished piece may occur.
  • If we have to cancel the pour on September 25, we’ll pour your tile in aluminum at a later date.

  Open to ages 16 and up, or younger people if accompanied by a participating adult

  Fee: $60 for one mold, which you can create by yourself or as a pair/group

  Instructor: Woody Stauffer

  Show details
• Casting Project Shop: Make a Cast Iron Art Tile

  • When
    Tue, March 18, 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    10

  Register

  Be part of CAFAC’s second iron pour!

  In this workshop, you’ll create a sand mold of your own design to be cast in iron at our Open (Hot)House on March 26. In this two-hour session, we’ll discuss the basics of the iron casting process and guide you through the process of reductive carving to create the mold for your tile. The workshop will ignite your interest in one of the myriad methods of metal casting and the magic of molten metal! No prior experience required.

  Then, you’re invited to join us on March 26, 6:30 to 9 p.m., for a fun and fiery community event that will feature our inaugural iron pour. You’ll be able to watch our artist team as they pour 2200° molten iron to cast the mold you carved in the workshop.

  A few notes:

  • If your tile requires any finishing after it’s poured, we’ll take care of that and have it ready for you to pick up by October 4. If you’re satisfied with it as is, you can take it with you after the pour.
  • Because of the sometimes unpredictable nature of the casting process, variations in your finished piece may occur.
  • If we have to cancel the pour on September 25, we’ll pour your tile in aluminum at a later date.

  Open to ages 16 and up, or younger people if accompanied by a participating adult

  Fee: $60 for one mold, which you can create by yourself or as a pair/group

  Instructor: Brighton McCormick

  
  

  Show details