SCAC Metal Arts Foundry Test Pour 5/29/20
On Friday, May 29, 2020 metal artists Hank Simpson, Nelson Grice, Ted Metz, Ben Rigsby, and Stan Copeland gathered in the new SCAC metal arts foundry for a bronze test pour. A small crowd of enthusiasts were able to view the bronze pour in person and get a first look at what the new facility will mean to the Shelby County Arts Council. During this test firing, Grice poured bronze for a couple of pieces that will go on a larger sculpture that will be on display at the Shelby County Arts Council’s entrance of the Shelby County Arts Center building in Old Mill Square. Artist Ted Metz has been commissioned to create a sculpture that will be placed at the entrance of the Grande Hall at the Center. Each sculpture is as unique as the artist themselves, but they will both feature mill stones that were discovered at the site of Old Mill Square while ground prep work was being completed before the construction of the building started. Each artist found his own way to incorporate these giant stones into their one-of-a-kind sculptures.
In the future, Grice, Metz and others will be offering classes and workshops in the new metal arts facility to bring knowledge of the process to the people of Shelby County and beyond.
Check out the video below in which Grice gives us an in depth look at the process of metal casting.