Sculpture
Code: S0808-25
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II
Level II
Students have a basic knowledge of 3-D art making and sculpture concepts and are comfortable using a variety of hand and power tools. Students have taken one or two sculpture classes or workshops.
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III
Level III
Students have experience with a variety of materials and fabrication techniques and know how to use hand and power tools competently and safely. Students are self-starting with some formal training in critical aspects of sculpture and have completed a portfolio of work. Students have taken a minimum of three classes or workshops.
From Sketches to Creation: Tridimensional Volumes Through Metal Fabrication
Jul 21 - 25, 2025
9AM-5PM
Concept
This intermediate workshop is designed for artists and makers who are eager to explore the expressive potential of steel sheet through hands-on fabrication techniques. Participants learn how to transform flat steel sheets into dynamic, three-dimensional sculptures using welding and metalworking skills. The workshop covers key aspects of designing, cutting, bending, and welding steel to create both abstract and figurative forms. The workshop aims to blend technical skills with creative exploration, allowing each participant to develop their unique creative voice.
Media & Techniques
Steel, torches, MIG and TIG welding, brazing, plasma cutting, finishing
Faculty
Adrián Fernández
Adrián Fernández is a contemporary visual artist and educator currently based in New Jersey. Skilled as both a photographer and a sculptor, Fernández’s artistic exploration is centered in the symbolic resonance between objects, architectural forms, and fragments of the material world that weave into the fabric of human existence.
Adrián Fernández, Volume No 13, 2023, sketch for a monument series, bronze with hot patina
Tuition: $1,290.00
Studio Fee: $190.00
Registration Fee: $45.00
NEW: Tuition includes the welcome dinner and daily lunch
Registration Information
Sculpture
Express your creativity and vision by exploring the limitless art of sculpture. At Anderson Ranch, our sculpture program offers a vibrant spectrum of workshops that reflect a variety of studio practices. At the confluence of tradition and technology, these programs are material and technique-rich, ranging from classical metal fabrication to experimental digital production.
Students work in communal and interactive studios designed for all levels of experience, supporting traditional and nontraditional methods. The sculpture studios are fully equipped with advanced machinery and offer additional outdoor covered workspace.
Our renowned sculpture faculty work closely with students through critical discussions, material demonstrations and individual assistance. Instructors encourage exploration and experimentation, emphasizing process and idea development. We complement this with a focus on process and sound construction. You leave with far more than finished pieces—you walk away with the tools and inspiration required to elevate your studio practice.
Workshop Details
Workshop Supplies
Provided by Anderson Ranch
Equipment
- 24” English wheel
- 25 Ton electric over hydraulic H-frame press
- 48” 16g box and pan brake
- 6” Corner Notcher
- 6” ring roller
- Angle Grinders
- Bandsaw
- Bench sanders for wood and metal
- Cold saw
- Cordless drills
- Drill press
- Hand tools: wrenches, hack saws, pliers, chisels, snips, clamps, etc.
- Handheld plasma cutter
- Hydraulic bandsaw
- MIG welder
- Miter saw
- Oxy-acetylene torches
- Pneumatic die grinders
- Small gas forge
- Spot welder
- TIG welder
Supplies
- 16-22g Steel sheet*
- Carboard
- Flap Discs*
- Miscellaneous hardware*
- N95 Respirators
- Nitrile gloves**
- Polishing compound
- Polishing pads
- Sand paper
- Sanding Discs*
- Sculpt Nouveau patinas
What you need to bring
Required Tools and Supplies
- Closed-toe shoes or work boots
Optional Tools and Supplies
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen**
- A reusable water bottle**
- Any materials that you may want for your projects
- Any Materials that you may want to use to pack up your projects to take home, ie: moving blankets, packing tape, bubble wrap or boxes.
- Basic white or light colored T-shirts for screen printing**
- Safety glasses**
- Sketchbook**
- Tools that you own that you will be unhappy without.
- Work gloves**
* Available for purchase in the studio.
** Available to purchase at the Anderson Ranch ArtWorks Store for 10% off.
Learn more about shipping supplies and artwork to and from the Ranch in the Student Handbook.
Lodging & Meals
Housing is limited and includes shared and private lodging options. Reservations will be managed on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you reserve housing, the better your chance of receiving your preferred option. Please note: Workshop costs do not include accommodations.
NEW: Tuition includes a welcome dinner and lunches. In our effort to foster a stronger sense of community and accessibility at Anderson Ranch, we include the welcome dinner and all lunches as part of the tuition for summer workshop students. Our hope is that this adjustment will encourage all students to come together to share meals and engage in meaningful conversations. The Ranch Café Meal Plan, which is included with Room and Board fees, strives to provide healthy, creative meals that will nourish your artistic creativity. Learn more.
We have established a Business Safety Plan with added layers of precaution that prioritize the health and safety of our staff, students, faculty and guests while continuing to provide you with the Anderson Ranch experience that you know and enjoy.
Scholarships, College Credit & Discounts
Making Art Accessible
Applications for scholarship support are encouraged. Specific scholarships are funded by Ranch supporters, either through endowed funds or special gifts.
Many colleges and universities offer college credit for workshops taken at Anderson Ranch. Discounts are available for students and teachers.
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I
Level I
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II
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II
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III
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-
IV
Level IV
Students have advanced skills and knowledge of sculpture. Students are highly motivated, have a minimum of five years experience in the field and have multiple portfolios of their artwork. Typical students are academics and professional artists.
Jun 2 - 13, 2025
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Building With Clay and Steel
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Code S0101-25
Investigate new materials and approaches to building sculpture in this two-week exploratory workshop. Students discover innovative ways to combine different materials, creating dynamic mixed-media sculptures. This workshop experiments with adding different materials to students’ work—such as clay, steel, and found objects—while considering how each adds formal information and intensified content. This rigorous studio environment gives access to a variety of new materials and fresh ways of approaching students’ studio practice. The workshop is open to students working in any media who are looking to try something different and add new skills to their toolbox.
-
II
Level II
Students have a basic knowledge of 3-D art making and sculpture concepts and are comfortable using a variety of hand and power tools. Students have taken one or two sculpture classes or workshops.
-
III
Level III
Students have experience with a variety of materials and fabrication techniques and know how to use hand and power tools competently and safely. Students are self-starting with some formal training in critical aspects of sculpture and have completed a portfolio of work. Students have taken a minimum of three classes or workshops.
Jun 16 - 20, 2025
9AM-5PM
Material Mimicry: The Question of the Reproduced Form
Aaron T Stephan, Betsy Alwin
Tuition $1,290
Code S0303-25
Enhance mold-making knowledge and skills in this fast-paced casting workshop. We focus on the physical and conceptual implications of casting multiples, sharing and discussing strategies many artists use to shape space and create meaning with the cast form. Students refine their skills, learning how to cast a variety of materials- including silicone, plaster, and foam. Along with demonstrations of different mold-making techniques, students learn best studio practices for economical and efficient casting processes. Participants leave with new skills and a broader understanding of the role of the cast form in contemporary art.