Carreño Studio and Gallery

Sculpture by Bernie Carreño
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Metal Sculpture - Iron Casting
 
Many art institutions and universities hold iron sculpture casting pours on a regular basis.  These pours constitute the United States Iron Circuit.  Some participants travel hundreds of miles to attend the events.  Many of the artists attend the same pours and have worked together many times.  The shared team work and common artistic goals create a true feeling of comradery and mutual respect among the artists.
 
Indianapolis has joined the iron circuit.
Every two years a major iron pour and symposium is held in the Indianapolis Art Center Arts Park.  Find out more at  Iron Casting Conference - IAC Biennial  Register now now for the 2010 Conference taking place from October 7-10.
 
 
Sculpture Casting Classes at the IAC.
You don't have to be a professional to learn how to create cast metal sculpture.  The Indianapolis Art Center offers casting classes taught by Bernie Carreño.  Indianapolis Art Center Registration   Classes are offered in iron, bronze, and aluminum casting.  Watch a video of an IAC Bronze Casting Class
Introduction to Iron Sculpture Casting
 
A sculpture iron pour is a group event where artists work together to create cast sculpture.  The process is intense, dangerous, and it requires much technical knowledge.  The iron casting cupolas (i.e., furnaces) are fired up to a temperature of 2800 Farenheit.   It takes about 4 hours to get the cupola up to temperature and then it cannot be turned-off until all of the molds have been poured.  It is continuously fed iron/coke to keep it burning.  An iron pour team consists of at least 3 artists, but usually involves a crew of 5 or more.  Two artists lift a crucible holding more than 120 pounds of molten iron.  Iron pours last from early morning until well after dark, typically 14 hours. The final product, a fantastic work of art, is worth the grueling hours of effort put into the process.  
 
Watch an iron sculpture being poured at Sloss: 
 
 

 A crew of artists pouring molten iron into resin sand molds