Bronze Relief Sculpture: A Foundry Introduction

Discover one of the most approachable ways to create a cast bronze sculpture.

This workshop introduces students to the fundamentals of relief sculpture by using oil-based sculpting clay, participants will create their own original relief sculpture while exploring shape, texture, depth, and composition. Finished pieces can be displayed on a tabletop or fitted with hanging hardware for wall display, allowing each artist to decide how they'd like to showcase their work.

After class, the Liberty Arts foundry team will transform each sculpture into a bonded sand mold behind the scenes, preparing it for bronze casting.

Students will then return during Hot Metal Cold Beer on Friday evening to watch their sculptures come to life as they are poured in molten bronze. Enjoy your time watching the complete journey from sculpting in clay to a finished bronze casting while experiencing the excitement of a live foundry event.

For those who would like to continue their experience, an optional Day of Finishing is available as an add-on. During this session, students will learn traditional finishing techniques by cleaning their own castings with grinders and hand tools, refining surfaces through sanding and polishing, experimenting with patinas and exploring different finishes.

Whether you're completely new to sculpture or simply curious about the foundry process, this workshop offers an accessible introduction to relief sculpture, bronze casting, and the creative possibilities of working in metal.

Schedule

This class takes place in two parts, with an optional third day for students who would like to finish their own bronze sculpture.

Wednesday, August 5 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Students will sculpt their relief designs using oil-based sculpting clay while learning the fundamentals of relief sculpture and preparing their work for bronze casting.

Friday, August 7 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (During Hot Metal Cold Beer)
Return to the Liberty Arts Foundry to watch your sculpture cast in bronze during a live pour. While your piece is being cast, enjoy the atmosphere of Hot Metal Cold Beer, including live foundry demonstrations, a pop-up artist market, and refreshments available from Glass Jug Beer Lab.

Optional Day of Finishing (Add-On)
Wednesday, August 12 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Students who choose this optional add-on will return to spend extra time finishing their bronze sculptures.

Location

Workshop and Bronze Pour:
Liberty Arts Foundry
Foster St.
Durham Central Park
Durham, NC

Optional Day of Finishing:
Liberty Arts Studio
918 Pearl St.
Durham, NC

Pre-requisites

No prior sculpting or foundry experience is required.

This class is designed for beginners and anyone interested in exploring relief sculpture and the bronze casting process.

If you have any questions before registering or would like to discuss whether this workshop is the right fit for you, please reach out to the Liberty Arts Metals Coordinator.

Notes / Important Info

Students who register for the base class will receive their finished bronze relief sculpture after the event once it has cooled and undergone final cleaning and finishing by Liberty Arts staff.

Students who choose the Optional Day of Finishing will complete many of these finishing steps themselves under instructor guidance before taking home their artwork.

This workshop is designed as an accessible introduction to both relief sculpture and the foundry process, offering a unique opportunity to experience the complete journey from sculpting in clay to a finished bronze artwork—with the option to take part in the final finishing process as well.