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NEWS

Spartan Daily

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Forging future talent

The warm day outside is nothing compared to the encompassing heat within the SJSU Art and Metal Foundry on South Fifth Street. The molten glow of the melt furnaces seems to draw in artists like moths. You get to play with fire, said Ryan Carrington, a lecturer at the foundry. With his hands-on approach, Carrington thinks more about creation than work at the Foundry. The best part of teaching is when someone welds for the first time, the wonder on their face, he said. Alumna Julia Jacobson said the mix of students and visiting artists adds to the creative experience. The foundry has a great community feeling,she said. Jacobson said she participates in the foundrys volunteer program, which helps keep the foundry open longer so students can come in at different hours. We want to keep this thing going, said undeclared sophomore Victor Perez. He said he sometimes comes to the foundry before class to polish a piece he is working on. (The foundry) is a gem in the art program, Carrington said.

Above: Senior engineering major Will Slocumb attaches a wax safety measure to a mold at the Art Foundry on Thursday, Sept. 8.

Left: Senior art major Alex Olmedo matches his wax mold to an image on a smartphone for a project.

Above: Foundry technician Steve Davis (left) demonstrates proper welding techniques to Patrick Kingshill, a junior studio art major, at the Art and Metal Foundry on Thursday, Sept 8. Improper welding causes poor quality and fractures in the final products.

Above: Senior art major Alex Olmedo carves out the details on a portion of his wax mold.

Photos by Brian OMalley and Jesse Jones Story by Cynthia Ly Design by Jack Barnwell
Above: SJSU art lecturer Ryan Carringtons finished aluminum cast hat is one of several pieces that he produces as part of his project. Carrington said that there is a small market for artwork like those he makes.

Left: SJSU lecturer Ryan Carrington pours the remaining lead back into slots so the excess lead can be used for future projects in the class.