Community Casting

For metalworkers with previous casting experience (see prerequisites below), Community Casting is an opportunity to prepare molds independently and cast your work in VisArts metals studio on designated casting days. Monthly casting days are facilitated by a VisArts instructor, and are generally offered on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday 9am – 12pm, the first weekend of each month. Before enrolling in Community Casting, you must apply and be pre-approved. 

APPLY BEFORE ENROLLING

Upcoming Community Castings

PRICING 
  • Community Casting costs $35 per session, which includes a tuition of $30 and studio fee of $5.
  • An additional investment/supply fee will be paid the day of based on the size/weight of the dry investment used: $3/pound
  • Flask sizes/approximate investment:
    • 1.5” x x 1.75”H= 100g investment
    • 2”W x 2.5”H= 200g investment
    • 2.5”W x 3”H= 350g investment
    • 3”W x 4’H= 750g investment
  • Space permitting, additional flasks are $5/flask + investment/supply fee
How it works 
1. Register
  • Register in advance for Community Casting online or with the front desk
  • Each registered participant is guaranteed one flask. Participants may have the opportunity to cast additional pieces, if space allows. Flask size and number limit is determined by the instructor. Participants can bring up to two additional flasks and, if space allows, cast them. If space does not allow, they can sign up for the next casting day.
  • In addition to the program registration fee, participants will pay a supply fee calculated based on the weight of their investment. Participants will be expected to pay this fee on casting day.
  • You must meet the Prerequisite Requirements listed below to register
2. Prepare your flasks
  • Registered participants should complete wax work, prepare molds, prepare flasks, and pour investment independently in advance during studio access 
  • Prepared flasks must be finished, labelled, and logged according to the Load In instructions below, and set on the community casting shelf to cure by 24 hours before casting time 
  • ie: If casting on Sunday at 9am, investing flasks must be completed by 9am on Saturday.  
3. Cast!
  • Casting day will be facilitated by an authorized instructor. You may not cast on your own.
  • Burnout cycle will be complete by 9am on casting day.
  • You must be present and ready to pour by the time your flask comes out of the kiln. If you are absent your flask will be set aside and you will have to wait for the next casting session to finish your pour. This is not grounds for a refund, and you will need to pay for the next session as well. 
  • Supply fee (investment) for loaded flasks will be calculated on casting day. Participants will pay these supply fees with the front desk 
Prerequisite Requirements

All registered participants must: 

  1. Apply and receive approval for Studio Access in the metals studio.
  2. Receive a casting certification from the instructor. This certification may be earned by taking (2) two multi-week casting classes (e.g., Lost Wax Casting) or having received equivalent education from another institution and verifying your capability with the casting instructor. We will set up a consultation at a rate of $55 for a 30-minute to one-hour meeting. 
Materials + Tools
  • VisArts provides wax, investment, flasks, torches, crucibles, gas, kiln space, and use of the scale for weighing.
  • Students may use their own approved personal flasks.
  • Participants are expected to provide their own metals.
  • No aluminum, pewter, pot metals or unidentified scrap is allowed.
  • Maximum metal weight per pour 70 DWT or 116 gr is based on the crucible used for your pour.
  • Always use the crucible that corresponds to the metal you are casting 
 Load-In Prep
  • Community Casting Log must be completed for each flask with your name, phone number, weight of metal in pennyweights or grams, type of metal you’re using (silver, bronze, or gold).
  • Mark your flask with chalk with your initials, metal weight in DWT, and type of metal you are casting: AG (for silver) AU (for Gold) or BR (for Bronze)
  • Place the flask on the community casting shelf when ready for burn out. Do not place flasks in the kiln yourself.
  • Prepared flasks must be finished, labelled, and set on the community casting shelf to cure by 24 hours prior to casting time (e.g., if casting on Sunday at 9am, investing flasks must be completed by 9am on Saturday).   
Safety 

Always observe proper safety measures, as required by VisArts. Failure to follow these practices may result in injury to yourself, others, or equipment, and may result in community casting certification being revoked. 

  • Wear close-toed shoes in the studio
  • Tie back long hair 
  • Wear N95 masks when investing (available for purchase at front desk) 
  • Investing must be done in the designated area next to the soldering station, with ventilation turned on and placed over the area 
  • Wear safety apron and heat proof gloves when casting (provided) 
  • Wear protective didymium eyewear when heating and pouring metal (provided) 
  • Leave the studio clean when finished working 
Other Notes
  • In the event of instructor absence, kiln malfunction, torch malfunction, or other unforeseen events, participants will be notified as soon as possible. VisArts reserves the right to reschedule a class, or in the event that we need to cancel, you can transfer to a future casting session. 
  • VisArts aims to offer community casting days once per month but may adjust dates as needed.