Lost wax casting is a metal casting process dating back to antiquity and revived during the Renaissance. This class uses the lost-wax technique with modern-day resin-bonded sand molds. A wax sculpture is invested in the resin sand and then the wax is melted out via an oven.
During this class, participants will learn the process of wax casting and wax joining. Students will use a variety of plaster molds to cast wax objects. Using parts and pieces from each selected mold, you will assemble a new, unique object. Students can also work directly with sheets of wax to create an object by modeling, much like with clay. By the end of Saturday, students will invest their wax sculptures in resin sand, and the molds will be melted out overnight. Students will cast their own molds in aluminum the following day. The molds will then be opened, and students will chase and clean up their sculptures with a variety of hand and power tools.