Ceramic Shell Workshop
Led by Rian Kerrane – Professor of Sculpture, UC-Denver, USA

Workshop will focus on the ceramic shell process for lost-wax casting in iron. Ceramic shell is the only investment-type molding process that can withstand the heat of molten iron. Fifteen participants are invited to learn the ceramic shell process and prepare work to cast at the Pedvale Open-Air Art Museum during the Demonstration Pour scheduled on Sunday, June 22nd.

Location: Alainis Studio, Riga, Latvia
Astras iela 11, Riga, Latvia, LV-1002
Dates: Saturday, June 14th – Wednesday, June 18th
Hours: 10am – 5pm
Ceramic Shell workshop fee: 100 €
Ceramic Shell workshop fee for students: 50 €
Contact rian.kerrane@ucdenver.edu

Workshop description
Workshop participants can bring personal molds to generate wax forms to invest in ceramic shell or build and model with wax on site. Wax, sprues, bailing wire and fibreglass will be provided. Wax forms must be completed by Tuesday morning and will be invested Wednesday morning for burnout Wednesday evening. De-waxed shells will be transported to Pedvale Thursday 19th June.

Workshop guidelines
Weight/size guidelines: 1 kg (2 lb) wax/ 12 kg (25 lb) iron and 3 – 5 kg (5 -10 lb) ceramic shell.
Please note: Wax form(s) should weigh no more than .5 kg (1 lb) and use no more than approximately 3 kg (5 lb) of ceramic shell.
Wax forms should be no bigger than 35 cm (15″) in any dimension.

Additional info
Please plan on bringing your own personal safety gear. Workshop participants may wish to bring personal hand tools for working wax.
Workshop participants are expected to participate in the preparation of materials and the handling and pouring of molds during the demonstration pour as their previous metal-casting experience allows. (Note: we do not recommend bringing your own electric tools unless they are rated for use in Latvia.)

Rian Kerrane is a Professor of Sculpture at the University of Colorado, Denver in the United States and regularly teaches the aesthetic applications and physical techniques of the ceramic shell molding process.

Suggested arrival: Thursday, June 12th to settle into Riga, get over jet lag and see some sites.

Recommended for Riga Pre-Conference Workshops: Hotel Spare
Two-minute walk from Alainis Studio

Riga Lodging

Rian Kerrane