Three Casting Workshops with Leslie Fry: July 14-15 / July 21-22 / August 4-5
Leslie Fry teaches casting workshops in her own studio (surrounded by her beautiful sculpture garden) in Vermont. Check out the new page on her website devoted to her workshops HERE.
Get Plastered!
July 14, 15
Limited enrollment, workshop payment of $350 by July 2
Leslie Fry. Held. Painted plaster over armature. 48” x 16” x 12”
Plaster is the most versatile and useful material in sculpture. It’s cheap, can be carved or modeled, painted or pristine white, cast into or cast out of, and best of all — immediate results! No waiting for clay to dry, or carving until you have tendonitis, or time-consuming casting. You can work big or small, make beautiful smooth surfaces or intensely detailed textures. No experience necessary (though not recommended if you don’t like to get messy). At the end of the workshop you will know how to handle plaster and have at least one new sculpture.
We will learn the properties of plaster — how to mix and handle it — and will model sculptures over armatures. Rasping,
carving, and finishing techniques will occur on the second day, with some basic casting demonstrations. Examples of plaster sculptures can be seen first-hand in the artist’s studio, as well as from art history for further inspiration.
WHEN: July 14 and 15, 9:30-4:30 (or as late as you want to work on your own in the studio).
WHERE: Leslie Fry’s spacious studio and sculpture garden at 48 Elm St., Winooski, VT
COST: $350, plus $75 materials fee. Registration and payments may be made online HERE, by sending a check to: Leslie Fry, 48-B Elm St., Winooski, VT 05404; or with credit card by calling Leslie at 802-999-5313;
Bring your own lunch, a cooler with drinks and snacks will be on hand. Minimum of 4 people, maximum 6. Everyone will have plenty of individual help.
Leslie Fry. Detail from Colossal AcornHead. Modeled in plaster over a styrofoam core, integrating cast elements from architectural details into the surface. Years later this sculpture was cast in permanent bronze, now in the artist’s sculpture garden, next to her studio.
Almost Instant Gratification Sculpture Casting
July 21, 22
Limited enrollment, workshop payment of $350 by July 9
Leslie Fry. Onward. Ink on plaster (cast from clay mold), maple frame. 13” x 20” x 2.5”
Create plaster sculptures with simple casting techniques. No experience necessary, though the previous Plaster Sculpture workshop would be helpful for handling plaster. Temporary molds will be made of clay (also with sand and even compost), and from found objects. Multiple forms will then be cast in plaster. You’ll make several bas-reliefs (wall sculptures), and at least one free-standing sculpture made by joining cast parts together. Painting on plaster and other surface treatments will be explored during the second day.
Examples of plaster sculptures made from these techniques can be seen first-hand in the artist’s studio. You’ll experience the simplest and fastest ways to cast shapes in plaster, and the fun of having many casts to “play” with to create sculptures.
WHEN: July 21 and 22, 9:30-4:30 (or as late as you want to work on your own in the studio).
WHERE: Leslie Fry’s spacious studio and sculpture garden at 48 Elm St., Winooski, VT
COST: $350, plus $75 materials fee. Registration and payments may be made online HERE, by sending a check to: Leslie Fry, 48-B Elm St., Winooski, VT 05404; or with credit card by calling Leslie at 802-999-5313;
Bring your own lunch, a cooler with drinks and snacks will be on hand. Minimum of 4 people, maximum 6. Everyone will have plenty of individual help.
Leslie Fry. Detail of Excavation. Painted plaster made from a clay mold.
Sculpture Casting and Mold-Making Smorgasbord
August 4-5, $350, materials fee $125
Register by July 23
Learn in an environment surrounded by original artworks (inside and outside the studio) that were created with the techniques being taught in the workshops.
Experience the freedom of casting multiples of a sculpture. Multiples can be used for installations, gifts, sales – they can migrate in less precious ways than a unique sculpture. Being able to make many casts of the same form lets you experiment with different surface treatments and different casting materials.
You’ll make some plaster press molds and two one-piece silicone rubber molds of small, simple forms that you’ll model in plasticene. The second day will be spent casting into the molds. You’ll learn how to mix resin, concrete, and plaster, along with tricks for creating good casts from your molds. The molds can be used for years. Examples of different kinds of molds and casts in numerous materials can be seen first-hand in the artist’s studio.
COST: $350, materials fee $125. Limited enrollment, to secure a place register with payment by July 23. Registration and payments may be made online HERE, by sending a check to: Leslie Fry, 48-B Elm St., Winooski, VT 05404; or with credit card by calling Leslie at 802-999-5313;
Bring your own lunch, a cooler with drinks and snacks will be on hand. Minimum of 4 people, maximum 6. Everyone will have plenty of individual help.
Leslie Fry’s sculptures and works on paper have been exhibited across the globe, and she’s been awarded numerous grants and fellowships. Public commissions in New York, South Korea, Montreal, Florida, and Vermont have been specific responses to architecture, history, and landscape. Her art is inspired by the basic human needs of shelter, food, clothing, work, love, and consciousness.
Fry’s M.F.A. is from Bard College, and she’s taught studio art at New College of Florida, University of Vermont, St. Michael’s College, Vermont College of Fine Art, as well as many workshops across the U.S.
Above: View of sculpture garden next to Leslie Fry’s studio in Winooski, VT. Learn in an environment surrounded by original artwork (inside and outside the studio) that was created with the techniques being taught in the workshops.
Contact Leslie Fry with any questions: LFry@lesliefry.com or 802-999-5313
48 Elm St., Winooski, VT 05404
