Log in

Classes  >>  Metal Casting



Metal casting is an ancient process that is still widely used today. In a foundry, metal is cast into shape by placing it in a crucible and heating it until molten, then poured into a mold where it cools and solidifies.


Click on the course name to see all class meeting dates, times, and course fee.

If you're looking for a Reheater option, select the class you'd like to Reheat and choose the appropriate fee when registering.

Please read these FAQs for details about what to bring/wear, refund policy, age requirements and more. We've also compiled a sensory rubric with more information about what to expect in a particular type of class. 

Joining a waitlist? Before you add yourself to a waitlist for a class that's full, it helps us if you're pretty certain you'll be available. If a spot becomes available, you'll be automatically registered and given about 24 hours to confirm your registration by paying. If we have a long list of folks who are no longer interested, it can be time-consuming to fill that spot. Thank you!

Upcoming classes

    • Wed, July 09, 2025
    • 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    In this project-based workshop, you'll have the opportunity to experience the entire process of casting, from mold-making to pouring molten metal! You'll choose a small project to cast in bronze: a pendant, keychain, or small sculpture. All pieces will incorporate an element to hang or surface mount, so they can be useful as well as sculptural.

    You'll start by learning to make a direct carve sand mold and then help with the bronze pour so you can see metal casting in action. We'll also apply a finish to your piece and add hardware to make it into a necklace, keychain, or mount it with a nut and bolt. This workshop is for beginners of all skill levels and will ignite your interest in exploring the myriad methods of metal casting. 

    $90 ($70 tuition + $20 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Brighton McCormick

    • Sat, August 09, 2025
    • Sat, September 13, 2025
    • 5 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 7
    Register

    Have you ever wished you could transform something into metal forever? In this class we will go over the basics of molding an object or pattern and casting it in molten metal (aluminum or bronze). You'll learn the basics of making a two-piece mold of a found or created pattern you provide. The class will cover appropriate choices for objects/patterns, self-setting sand molding techniques, venting and spruing of molds, metal heating and pouring, and basic finishing of cast pieces.

    Wear shop clothes to class: long sleeves and long pants made of natural fibers and work boots or shoes. Bring safety glasses if you have them. Personal protective gear is provided for pours.  

    $240 ($195 tuition + $45 materials)  |  5 weeks

    Instructor: Woody Stauffer
    • Wed, August 13, 2025
    • 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    Register

    In this project-based workshop, you'll have the opportunity to experience the entire process of casting, from mold-making to pouring molten metal! You'll choose a small project to cast in bronze: a pendant, keychain, or small sculpture. All pieces will incorporate an element to hang or surface mount, so they can be useful as well as sculptural.

    You'll start by learning to make a direct carve sand mold and then help with the bronze pour so you can see metal casting in action. We'll also apply a finish to your piece and add hardware to make it into a necklace, keychain, or mount it with a nut and bolt. This workshop is for beginners of all skill levels and will ignite your interest in exploring the myriad methods of metal casting. 

    $90 ($70 tuition + $20 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Brighton McCormick

    • Wed, September 17, 2025
    • Sun, September 21, 2025
    • 5 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 20
    Register

    Join us at CAFAC for the first-ever Minneapolis Molten Metal Iron Invitational!

    This four-day immersive workshop will culminate in community iron pour on September 20. Open to artists and students of all skill levels, this sand mold workshop offers hands-on experience in casting molten iron using traditional foundry techniques. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced caster, you'll learn new skills, connect with fellow makers, and create a custom iron casting.

    The Sand Mold Studio & Iron Pour experience includes:

    • Guidance by instructors through the process of mold making, including establishing parting lines and ramming multi-part molds using resin-bonded sand.

    • Presentations on metal casting techniques and hands-on demonstrations of the entire casting process.

    • 30 pounds of iron and 200 pounds of resin-bonded sand.* You’ll have the opportunity to create one to three molds, depending on experience and time constraints.

    • Working alongside an experienced casting crew to learn furnace operations and pouring molten metal.

    At the end of the workshop experience, you’ll have a complete one-of-a-kind iron casting of your own design. If you have casting experience, we recommend bringing your own completed pattern ready to be molded. However, if you’re a beginner or don’t have a pattern ready, you’ll be able to create simple patterns on the first day from materials like plasticine, found objects, or through reductive carving. For those new to casting, basic forms such as bowls, tiles, or belt buckles are available and can be customized.

    Open studio hours:

    • Wednesday, September 17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
      Orientation, pattern review, iron breaking, intro to gating and flasks, sand mixing, start ramming molds

    • Thursday, September 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
      Multi-part mold demos, work time, iron breaking

    • Friday, September 19, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
      Gating and venting, intro to gluing/banding/weighting molds, work time, iron breaking

    • Saturday, September 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
      Pour floor setup, pour team assignments, dry run, burn in, first tap at 3 p.m.!

    • Sunday, September 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
      Break open molds, clean up, pack up 

    You’ll have access to the studio from Wednesday to Friday, allowing ample supported work time. For many participants, this is more than enough time to complete your molds, so you may also use this time flexibly to accommodate other commitments. Please plan to be onsite for the duration of the iron pour on Saturday and for at least 2 hours on Sunday for breaking out molds and cleanup.

    Workshop fee: $350 ($250 tuition + $100 materials)
    *Additional iron and resin-bonded sand available at a per-pound rate.

    Instructors: Brighton McCormick & Pete Gierzynski




    This Cultural Districts Art Fund program activity is funded, in part, by the Arts & Cultural Affairs Department in the City of Minneapolis

CHICAGO AVENUE FIRE ARTS CENTER   3749 Chicago Avenue  |  Minneapolis, MN 55407  |  612-294-0400  |  info@cafac.org 

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software