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Quick Cuttlefish Casting
Have you ever had the desire to create a 3-dimensional form through the age-old molten metal pouring process of casting? Well look no further because that is what this workshop is all about!
In this 2-day weekend course, students will learn the basics for casting metal via a quicker than your typical slow and methodical casting approach – by carving a negative space into a soft material know as cuttlefish bone and then pouring molten metal directly into the cavity. What makes cuttlefish bone so interesting is not only the quickness with which you can cast, but the unique wavy, grain-like, texture that transfers onto the surface of the cast metal component. In addition to carving and pouring, students will also learn how to clean up the casting properly so that it can be turned into a finished piece of jewelry!
Meet the instructor
William Vanaria is a Massachusetts based artist with a penchant for oddball materials. His work utilizes traditional metalsmithing techniques and a wide verity of non-traditional materials to produce jewelry which both questions and comments on notions of romanticism, value, fakery, and the hierarchy of materials present within modern day consumer culture. Through his work he pushes for a broader system of value which has been formulated though experience, consideration, and critical thinking.
William received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a concentration in "Jewelry & Metalsmithing" in 2012. Afterwards, he spent time working within the jewelry industry and volunteering as a teacher's assistant for various art institutions. He found that the latter was much more fulfilling, so he went on to further his education within the arts and to pursue a career in teaching. William received his Masters of Fine Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts: Dartmouth in 2016; once again with a concentration in "Jewelry & Metalsmithing."
Materials & Tools
There is a $60 materials fee for this workshop that is payable upon registration. The materials kit includes silver wire for fabrication, silver casting grain, bronze casting grain, cuttlefish bone, numerous rotary attachments for clean-up, sawblades, and other various miscellaneous materials needed to complete class project.
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notebook and writing implement - for notes / sketches
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reading glasses - if needed
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closed-toe shoes - required in the Metalwerx studio