arts + artisans
The Ageless Art of Bronze T housands of years ago, artisans developed a technique to create sculptures out of bronze. The process of creating molds and pouring molten metal is quite involved, but worth the work. Known as lost wax casting (also referred to as investment casting), the process allowed artists to create sculptures to endure the test of time. The first known example is 6,000 years old, a bronze amulet discovered in South Asia where the Indus Valley civilization was located. For decades, Doreen Ely Bledsoe has been
the country and around the globe have their
creating art as well as helping other artists fulfill
sculptures cast at the foundry on Roses Mill Road
their visions. “I never went to art school. I began
here in Milford.
working at the Italian Renaissance foundry in
“Artists will create their work in a variety
1981 when I was 21,” she recalls. “I then worked
of medium. A current project we are working
with Ronald Cavalier at the Cavalier Sculpture
on is made of balsa wood. It’s very delicate to
Casting. Purchasing the business, we renamed
work with,” says Bledsoe. “Clay is probably the
it Ageless Art Casting. We are the only fine art foundry in Connecticut.” Artists from across Above: The Ageless Arts Casting team attends the unveiling of the Police Memorial statue in Bridgeport.
The labor intensive casting process is long, but worth the results.
40 Milford Living • Autumn
COURTESY OF AGELESS ARTS CASTING TEAM (3)
most commonly submitted. We have to keep the clay moist so that it retains its shape prior to beginning our casting process.” And what a process it is! “We cover the sculpture carefully with polymer clay, creating an even layer. Then it is covered in plaster,” Bledsoe explains. “An opening, or mold cavity, is where liquid rubber is poured into the mold, replacing the polymer. The rubber mold is then used to create a wax casting.”