Hello and thank you for checking the Sculpture Foundry Welcome Letter!

My name is Margaret Korisheli and I am glad you are considering a foundry class where you can learn how to cast bronze into original sculptures. Sculpture Foundry at Cuesta College provides a unique opportunity to learn metal casting techniques in  a supportive classroom environment. Three levels of foundry are taught in one class session providing a stimulating mix of new and experienced students. After creating a portfolio of bronze sculpture, many students go on to have works cast at professional foundries knowing they can keep costs down after having learned how to do much of the work themselves. Other students simply want a chance to experiment in a media dating back 6000 thousand years. 

The course is designed for success with clear instructions, demos, lectures, and group discussions. Class assignments are designed to increase in technical complexity as the semester progresses resulting in the creation of artwork that is both original and informed. Biweekly in-person lab classes will allow for the use of professional tools and equipment needed for bronze casting. Sculpture I or 3-D Design is a prerequisite for this class, but equivalent experience is acceptable and prerequisites are not checked before registration. 

Please email if you have any questions and if comfortable, feel free to address me as Margaret. mkorisheli@cuesta.edu

 

Nuts and Bolts Course Information

• Art 274ABC: Sculpture Foundry I, II, & III (Bronze Casting) CRNs 73411, 73412, 73413 - FALL 2024
• 18-weeks  of instruction (8/12-12/13) 
• Two in-person class meetings Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-11:50am  (room 7107). I will do my best to accommodate absences for advanced students who have conflicting work schedules. A course calendar will outline demo days and essential group processes. 
• About 1-2 hour of homework per week 
  • Researching artists and assignment ideas
  • Small preparatory exercises
  • Finishing wax projects started in class
• Open lab time in the classroom is available for students who have been absent or want to put in additional hours on projects. Lab Hours: T/Th 12-1:00pm and Friday 10:00am-3:00pm
• The course will have a minimal and optional online component for viewing course documents, reading course announcements, and the option of posting images. You will gain full access to online viewing on the first day of the semester, Monday August 12. Access to Canvas is found on your myCuesta page. 
• Final Exam will be a celebration of the work created. Tuesday, 12/10 9:45-11:45

 

General course Information

The Sculpture Foundry courses integrate contemporary art concepts and techniques with traditional processes of foundry sculpture. Bronze or Aluminum are cast using the lost wax technique with standard investment, and some projects will incorporate other materials, methods, and conceptual approaches. Each of you will be given the opportunity to find your own artistic voice while learning to produce well-crafted work. 

We may occasionally touch on controversial topics as we view the work of professional sculptors and other student work. The online course and in-person meetings are safe places that welcome diverse voices and bodies and encourage open and respectful communication.

 

Grading

It is possible for all students to earn an A in this course if they 1) put in the required time 2) follow assignment directions and objectives 3) take creative risks 4) complete all assignments and projects. Pass/no pass is also an option for this course: Pass/no pass Cuesta College Links to an external site.

 

Student Learning Outcomes 

Art 274A - Sculpture Foundry I: Bronze Casting I

Upon completion of Art 274A the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the basic knowledge of the casting process from a wax original to presentation of a finished bronze sculpture.
2. Examine and describe historical and contemporary developments, trends and approaches in cast metal sculpture.
3. Apply the visual elements and fundamental principles of 3-D design to the formal and conceptual applications of cast sculpture.

                   

Art 274B: Sculpture Foundry II

Upon completion of Art 274B the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the casting process from a hollow core wax original to presentation of a finished bronze sculpture.
2. Analyze historical and contemporary developments, trends, and approaches in cast metal sculpture.
3. Apply the visual elements and principles of 3-D design to the formal applications of cast metal sculpture with emphasis on the expressive potential and implication of content in compositional organization.

 

Art 274C: Sculpture Foundry III

Upon completion of Art 274C the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate advanced-intermediate knowledge of the use and safety of materials, tools, equipment, and techniques of bronze and aluminum casting.
2. Analyze contemporary developments, trends, and approaches in cast metal sculpture and mixed media.
3. Apply the visual elements and principles of 3-D design to the formal applications of cast metal sculpture with emphasis on scale and variations on compositional and formal themes.
4. Demonstrate basic TIG welding for cast bronze repairs.
5. Apply non-traditional finishes and presentation methods for bronze and aluminum sculpture.

 

Textbook and Cost for this Course

There is no required text for this course, partly to make the course more affordable.  You will learn about sculptors and techniques through directed online lectures, discussions, and assignments. A twenty-dollar materials fee pays for basic supplies. The cost of materials consumed during the casting process and the cost of the bronze will be calculated on a card and paid for at the cashier’s window. If cost is a concern, you will want to keep projects small.

 

Canvas Information

This course uses Canvas (a Web-based Learning Management System) as the method to disseminate information including assignment handouts, student data files, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book. You can communicate using Canvas email and approximately ten discussions will require posting images and relevant artist information that will be viewed and discussed in class the following week.

 

Cuesta Online Resources for students:

Refer to the Technical Frequently Asked Questions (Links to the Cuesta Website) regarding specific minimum computer and browser requirements for Canvas.The ability to photograph projects and upload images (JPEG or PNG) and additional documents (WORD OR GOOGLE Docs, PDFs, etc.) is essential for the course.

Cuesta College has resources on Getting Started with Canvas (Links to the Cuesta Website) and offers a “Being Successful Online” tutorial.

Canvas has technical support available (Links to the Cuesta Website)

 

Waitlist/Add/Drop Policies

Every student can excel in this course with regular attendance and active participation. If an emergency or illness prevents you from coming to class for two or more consecutive class sessions, please email me so I can let you know what you missed and how you can make up the work. A student may be dropped after three absences, however, it is the responsibility of the student to officially withdraw if he or she stops attending class.

Review the Cuesta College Waitlisting Courses (Links to the Cuesta Website) Adding Courses (Links to the Cuesta Website) and Dropping (Links to the Cuesta Website) policies. 

 

Accommodation Policies

Course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind.  If you have a disability and might need accommodations (support services) in this class, please contact Disabled Student Program & Services as soon as possible to ensure that you receive the accommodations in a timely manner.  DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services (Links to the Cuesta Website)

 

Academic Honesty Policy

You are expected to conduct yourselves in a manner compatible with the Cuesta College Student Code of Conduct (Links to the Cuesta Website).