Penumbra Design and the Torpedo Factory Art Center of Alexandria VA presented a project called Pour Your Art Out.

The project is designed to give students a powerful and memorable hands-on art experience. Professional artists and members of the trades work with students to design, prepare, and cast components out of molten metal. Some of the resulting iron components will be used to construct a community-based public artwork.

During the successful pilot program held at T.C. Williams in May, students were introduced to the history of blacksmithing and metal casting, as well as the material science and fundamentals of design behind the medium, in classroom-based activities led by metal sculptor Philip Harrison and Alexandria artists affiliated with the Torpedo Factory Art Center and Art League School. Using tools to scratch into sand and resin-bonded molds, students composed and created designs for their individual iron components. On the final day of the program, Harrison fired up his traveling furnace to allow students to produce two poured iron tiles — one to keep and a second to contribute to a community-based collaborative arts installation.

Students viewing the pour

Students take home “scratch molds”

Student “Grape vine Leaf” contribution

Student Made Grape Vine Public Art Sculpture