Focusing on exploring your personal expression in metal, we give you the necessary discipline and skills to be able to venture into the global metal marketplace. With an emphasis on developing proper technique and using appropriate tools safely, you’ll learn how to design, sculpt, mold and cast in bronze using sand and lost wax casting methods.

Plus, you’ll get hands-on practice in studio production, casting sculptural forms and pouring molten metal as you design, create and develop molds and patterns for casting in our foundry room.

You will gain the control and confidence to produce traditional and contemporary ironwork and reach a level appropriate for a blacksmith apprentice. Produce work in non-ferrous metals through a variety of studio and foundry demonstrations, discussions, field tips, exercises and self-directed studio time.

Gain Valuable Skills

• Learn the basics of tool construction and tool safety (TIG welder, grinders, air tools)
• Making rubber molds
• Wax chasing
• Metal finishing
• How to submit a presentation to a client
• Increase your hand skills and your hand-eye coordination
• Understand the movement of mass
• Sharpen your creative problem solving

Your Courses Include 

• Drawing and design for Blacksmithing  and Metal Casting 
• How to Cast Bronze
• Exploration of Bronze
• Advanced Conceptualization and Creation Techniques
• Metal Shop Culture 
• Primary Hammer Skills 
• Production Processes

Pathways

Start your journey in Sculptural Metal by completing Kootenay Studio Arts 10-month certificate. Upon completion, continue developing your creative practice and achieve the two-year Studio Arts Diploma and/or the Open Studio Advanced Certificate.  Upon completion of the Studio Arts Diploma program, transfer opportunities are available. Learn more about Degree Pathways.