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Greetings All,
This will be our first update on the new Art Studio and Forge since our return from New Hampshire this past November. Certainly a lot has happened to everyone, in general, with the economy and the election; holidays too. I think it all was too distracting, to do much, in terms of an outreach to potential supporters of this and other projects. Despite these conditions we have made some progress.
The Art n’ Gun Studio & Forge continues to progress on two major projects; The Fox Sculpture & Monument and the Frigates Boat, both of these projects are in excess of a six figure dollar value and will have high visibility for the Studio. We have a rather unique situation in our partnership with Joe Filipowski, who is boat builder extraordinaire. As many of my sculptural motifs are ‘Sea driven’ his understanding and expertise, in this subject, is invaluable. Joe as you may know went up to New Hampshire with me to retrieve my foundry materials, equipment, supplies, molds and sculptures. We were able to recover a great deal of some of that. Unfortunately some of the more heavy equipment, i.e., Melters, blower motors, flasks and all but one kiln were not. This represents a considerable loss, especially if replaced new. Pictured below 1 & 2 Studio On-the-Ridge, lost foundry equipment. 1) Shows Kiln and Flask, 2) Shows Melters for 50 lb. and 10 lb. bronze pours.
Enter Ken Guthrie, retired Master Navy Sub Chief and supervisor of a repair ship. Ken has his own business, located in our building and has a patented process to dissolve stuck bolts in very expensive pieces of equipment.
http://cbgmaintenance.com/
Ken has agreed to build a new set of equipment named above; melter, kiln and flasks. This will get us going on the casting end of our process. Additionally, I like the idea of designing our own ‘situation specific’ equipment.
For instance for the Frigates Boat we will be casting a cannon and some swivel guns. That is where we came up with the idea of calling our studio Art n’ Gun. You really should take a look at the web site of the Revolutionary War reenactors who have contracted with Joe to build this amazing 32’ rowing boat.
http://www.lobsterbacksociety.com/index_files/admiraltyboatyard.htm
Last year Joe did a wonderful project with some local youth through Travis Jorden’s, non-profit organization, S.A.I.L. (Straight Ahead In Life) building a basic plywood rowboat. The result was wonderful. They sold it on e-bay and before they did, I was there to see them putting some finishing touches with the brass oarlocks. The youth were a wide range of ages and backgrounds. Sometimes Joe said, “I thought I was herding Cats”, but it all worked out quite well.
Joe and I met with Jorden two weeks ago and discussed with Jorden another such project but this time focusing on sculpture and metal work.
We are in the planning stage for the physical plant is a Mezzanine section that will cover an 18ft x 34ft, x 4 ft. high concrete platform that we will use for Art related classes. This bottom section would contain 3 rooms for Planning, Mold Making and Wax Working. By adding the Mezzanine we gain about 600 square feet, access to three sun lit windows and a wonderful spot aside from the operational foundry for the Creative side of our endeavor.
I have asked the Inplant company to quote us on a structure that will be load baring for at least 20 people and something which can be broken down and moved easily if the case is to relocated from this rented space. If you would like to review some of their work follow this link (Mezzanines etc.)
http://www.inplant.com/photo-gallery.aspx
In closing Joe and I have been working on a ‘Mission Statement’ for the Art n Gun Studio & Forge.
This will be both an Art Facility, i.e., Studio and Art Foundry, with professional guidance in completing major projects for other Artists and Students. We are also deeply dedicated to the dissemination of this knowledge through education. Classes are planned for the Spring.
Onward Irregardless, Bill Osmundsen
Art n’ Gun Studio & Forge
Mission Statement
‘The Sculptural Arts through Practice and Education’
Our Educational Statement:-
To structure a working environment that enables young and adult learners to work with professionals to discover the nuances that define artistic competence.
Working with stone, metal, wood, wax and clay, the facility and staff are able to guide individuals through the basics and subtle intricacies of building the skill sets to work with a variety of physical mediums.
Centered in an historical and maritime theme, small classes and individual training will impart to students the fundamental building block skill sets for a number of core proficiencies.
Starting with hand tools, pupils will be guided through introductory classes in design, illustration, proportion, utility and fabrication. Continuing on, students are introduced gradually to the use and safety considerations of hand and stationary power tools.
The curriculum spans introduction to drawing, drafting and design and moves the student into joinery, engineering and composition.
