*Menu
Search
Submit
Greene County Daily World

Sculpture Trails shows budding artists the process of metal casting

Wednesday, May 9, 2018
By Patti Danner and Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum

In the spring of 2018, Sculpture Trails founder Gerry Masse and Artist-in-Residence Paul Watson visited students at Linton, Eastern Greene, WRV and Bloomfield schools, giving presentations and teaching students about the process of making art with molten metal. The pair left each school a few large scratch blocks, made of sand and glue, with which to create their own castings. On Saturday, May 5, the students were invited to visit Sculpture Trails in Solsberry to see their scratch block molds poured with molten aluminum. The finished blocks will be displayed at the schools.

  • *
    Masse and Watson speak to students in Marci Parsley's art class at Eastern Greene Elementary. (By Patti Danner)
  • *
    Watson and Masse with EG student Noni Key. (By Patti Danner)
  • *
    Scratch blocks ready for use at Sculpture Trails. (By Patti Danner)
  • *
    Masse and Watson explained every step of the process to guests. (By Patti Danner)
  • *
    Safety precautions were explained as Masse and Watson prepared to pour the molten aluminum. (By Patti Danner)
  • *
    Molten aluminum is held at 1400 degrees in preparation for the pour. (By Patti Danner)
  • *
    Masse melted 80 pounds of aluminum for the pour (By Patti Danner)
  • *
    Watson and Masse begin the pour. (By Patti Danner)
  • *
    Parsley gains rabbit ears courtesy of daughter Mollie. (By Patti Danner)
  • *
    The glue forming the molds burns away during the pouring process. (By Patti Danner)
  • *
    The finished castings must cool before further work is done. (courtesy Sculpture Trails)
  • *
    (courtesy Sculpture Trails)
  • *
    (courtesy Sculpture Trails)
  • *
    (courtesy Sculpture Trails)
  • *
    Masse brushes each casting with a patina, which is then heated by Watson. (courtesy Sculpture Trails)
  • *
    The finished castings are then sanded to make the design pop. (courtesy Sculpture Trails)
  • *
    (courtesy Sculpture Trails)
  • *
    (courtesy Sculpture Trails)
  • *
    (courtesy Sculpture Trails)
  • *
    (courtesy Sculpture Trails)
  • *
    (courtesy Sculpture Trails)
  • *
    (courtesy Sculpture Trails)