Moon Relief Sculpture:

An Introduction to Aluminum Casting

Create your own cast aluminum moon while exploring the art of relief sculpture and the foundry casting process.

In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will sculpt either a full moon or crescent moon using oil-based sculpting clay, building texture and dimension to create a one-of-a-kind relief sculpture. This additive sculpting process offers an approachable introduction to relief sculpture while encouraging creativity through surface, form, and composition.

Participants are welcome to make their moons as realistic or as imaginative as they'd like. The instructor can guide you through sculpting craters, mountain ranges, and lunar landscapes, or, if your creativity leads elsewhere, you're encouraged to follow your instincts—perhaps finding the man in the moon or creating your own celestial story. There are no right or wrong interpretations, and the instructor will be there throughout the workshop to help bring your vision to life.

If inspiration strikes before class or you'd like to talk through an idea ahead of time, feel free to reach out to the Liberty Arts Metals Coordinator at metals@libertyartsnc.org. We're happy to help guide your concept before you arrive.

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 finishing session available for students who would like additional time refining their sculpture.

Tuesday, September 1 | 6:00–9:00 PM
Create your relief sculpture in oil-based clay while learning the fundamentals of relief sculpture and preparing your artwork for bronze casting.

Friday, September 4 | 6:00–9:00 PM (During Hot Metal Cold Beer)
Return to the Liberty Arts Foundry to watch your sculpture cast in bronze during a live pour while enjoying Hot Metal Cold Beer, featuring live foundry demonstrations, a pop-up artist market, and refreshments from Glass Jug Beer Lab.

Optional Finishing Session (Add-On)
Tuesday, September 8 | 6:00–9:00 PM
Students who purchase this optional add-on return to spend additional time cleaning, finishing, and preparing their bronze relief sculpture for tabletop or wall display with guidance from Liberty Arts instructors.

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.