In the introductory sculpture courses, students will be introduced to techniques and processes including basic welding, beginning mold making, multimedia construction, and bronze casting.
The Bronze Casting courses delve in to the world of the lost wax process and ceramic shells. As the courses progress students will gain the knowledge of proper studio practices and the technical creative process of making molds, pouring bronze, and then ending with a finished bronze sculpture. Students will be knowledgeable in a variety of techniques, patinas, and pouring procedures.
In the Sculpture/Construction courses students are introduced to MIG welding, woodworking, beginning metal fabrication, and more. As the courses progress students are able to focus on a specific interest as they work through the assignments. Students will gain knowledge in working with steel, wood, and multimedia works.
Associate Professor of Art Araan Schmidt
Araan Schmidt Biography
Example of Araan Schmidt's artwork:
Photography by Andrew Bisdale Photography
ARTT 270 Sculpture I
Introduction of technique and processes practiced in advanced sculpture courses. Basic welding, mold making, bronze casting and fabrication/construction using multimedia explored. Development of aesthetic concepts stressed and their successful applications. Projects conclude with group critiques.
ARTT 371 Sculpture/Construction I
Exploration of MIG welding, beginning metal fabrication techniques, woodworking and multimedia. Historical contexts. Aesthetic concepts stressed and projects conclude with group critiques.
ARTT 372 Sculpture/Construction II
Introduction of advanced fabrication techniques and tools in steel, wood and multimedia. Advanced finishes and finishing techniques also introduced. Continued focus on historical contexts.
ARTT 380 Bronze/Casting I
Bronze casting using the lost wax process and ceramic shell. Includes history, terminology, equipment, and procedure. Includes working in wax, sprueing the art, ceramic shell investment, technical-pouring procedures, divesting the shelled patina. Studio emphasis on technique and creative process ending in finished bronze sculpture.
ARTT 381 Bronze/Casting II
Creating in wax using various techniques. Explorations in wax using representational and abstract forms. Advanced finishes and patinas introduced.
ARTT 471 Sculpture/Construction III3 Credits
Sculpting in steel, wood and multimedia. Introduction to forge work. Direction chosen based on interests in materials and processes taught in previous sculpture/construction courses. Independent work via professor contract.
ARTT 472 Sculpture/Construction IV
Thematic concepts for development of a BFA exhibit explored. Independent work via professor contract.
ARTT 475 Sculpture Workshop I
Continued focus on a student's individual BFA direction. Independent work via student/professor contract.
ARTT 476 Sculpture Workshop II
Emphasis placed on finishing sculpture representative of BFA direction. Sculpture focused and finished for professional presentation, independent work via student/professor contact.
ARTT 480 Bronze/Casting III
Creating in wax using various techniques including advanced mold making. Focus on history and dynamics of furnace building and foundry equipment manufacture.
ARTT 481 Bronze/Casting IV
Thematic concepts for development of a BFA exhibit explored. Independent work via professor contract.
ARTT 483 Bronze Workshop I3 Credits
Continued focus on a students individual BFA direction. Independent work via student/professor contract.
ARTT 484 Bronze Workshop II1-3 Credits
Emphasis placed on finishing sculpture representative of the student's BFA direction. Sculpture will be focused and finished for professional presentation. Independent work via student/professor contract.
- A plaster working area.
- An outdoor space that can be used for large scale sculpture work.
- Separate areas for working in wax with one 7 gallon and one 3 gallon double boiler wax pot.
- A Ellis 9400 metal drill press, Syncrowave 250 TIG welder, a stationary and a rolling cart ocy/acetylene welding/cutting torches, bench grinders, disc belt sander, 21” centrifugal caster, and two Lincoln electric MIG welders.
- Separate room for working with the ceramic shells equipped with a pacific kiln, deluxe slurry mixer, and two fluidizing beds.
- A bronze furnace with a 100 pound crucible, arc welder, plasma cutter, multiple cast iron cupolas, and burn out kilns in the outdoor sculpture area.
- An Uprint SE+ 3D printer and a 4’x8’ CNC router.
The Sculpture Guild of Colorado Mesa University Offers students an ability to network with fellow student artists to work together and critique sculpture outside of allotted class time. Community events will be organized to fund raise for tools/equipment/material fees for the sculpture lab and foundry. The sculpture guild has attended and participated in conferences and symposia in Birmingham, AL (twice), Laramie, WY, Phoenix AZ and Crested Butte, CO, (twice).
Interested in joining? Contact Professor Araan Schmidt for details.
Student Iron pours
