Jump to these classes listed below:
Hot Metal Mini-Class [MINI CLASS WORKSHOP – NEW!!!]
Evening Sculpture & Bronze Casting
Figurative Sculpture
Sculpture in Metal: Beginning
Blacksmithing Basics
Sculpture in Metal: Intermediate/Advanced
Stone Carving Beginning/Intermediate
Afternoon Sculpture and Bronze Casting
All Living Things in Steel

Jump to faculty bios

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Hot Metal Mini-Class [MINI CLASS WORKSHOP – NEW!!!]
Instructor: Art Center Faculty
Skill Level: B [MINI CLASS WORKSHOP]

Try a few hours in our sculpture studio and get a taste for working with metal. This mini-course will introduce you to a few basic metal working techniques such as welding and forging, and some of the tools and equipment in our sculpture studio. Our outstanding instructors will show you how to create a project or two that you can take home with you. Perhaps a display stand for your glass or ceramics? Experience the thrill of working with hot metal for the first time!
Enrollment limited to 12; ages 18 and up

Welding dress code: Long sleeve shirt and long pants. (Cotton or wool only – no synthetic fibers). Closed toe shoes, leather preferred. No sandals, flip flops, etc. Gloves, eye protection and dust masks provided.

Spring I
D851W
Saturday, March 31
(1 session) 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
$50 Members and Non-members

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Evening Sculpture & Bronze Casting
Instructors: Heidi Hoy & Arlene Zimmerman
Skill Level: B, AB, I

This course is tailored to meet individual needs. Each student is assisted in realizing his or her unique creation from conception to a completed bronze. We begin with learning to create a sculpture in clay or wax. You then learn to pull a mold (if necessary), invest the wax for bronze casting, chase the metal, patina and mount the piece to complete it. Some tools and materials provided. Casting materials are purchased per project. Enrollment limited to 10; ages 18 and up

Spring I
D802
Wednesdays, February 29 - April 18
(8 sessions) 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
$275 Members / $306 Non-members

Spring II
E802
Wednesdays, April 25 - June 13
(8 sessions) 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
$275 Members / $306 Non-members

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Figurative Sculpture
Instructor: Foster Willey, Jr.
Skill Level: All

This class will focus on figurative sculpture and traditional sculpting techniques. The session will emphasize working from the model to create full figure studies (nude) or portraits. The process of bronze casting using the lost wax method and standard investment will also be taught. Some tools and materials provided. Model fee is required unless other arrangements are made in advance with the instructor. Enrollment limited to 10; ages 18 and up

Spring I
D819
Mondays, February 27 - April 16
(8 sessions) 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
$275 Members / $306 Non-members
$60 Model Fee

Spring II
E819
Mondays, April 23 - June 11
No Class May 28
(7 sessions) 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
$245 Members / $272 Non-members
$60 Model Fee

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Sculpture in Metal: Beginning
Instructor: Carey Netherton
Skill Level: B

The purpose of this class is to introduce students to basic welding and metalworking methods associated with the construction of sculptural objects. A large portion of the class will focus on oxyacetylene welding, cutting and brazing, but cold working methods, such as grinding and drilling, will also be demonstrated. Safety and proper tool usage will be emphasized.
Enrollment limited to 8; ages 16 and up

Welding dress code: Long sleeve shirt and long pants. (Cotton or wool only – no synthetic fibers). Closed toe shoes, leather preferred. No sandals, flip flops, etc. Gloves, eye protection and dust masks provided.

Spring I
D807
Tuesdays, February 28 - April 17
(8 sessions) 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
$280 Members / $311 Non-members

Spring II
E807
Tuesdays, April 24 - June 12
(8 sessions) 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
$280 Members / $311 Non-members

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Blacksmithing Basics
Instructor: Carey Netherton
Skill Level: All

Blacksmithing is one of the oldest metalworking processes around. Thousands of years ago it was cutting edge technology. Contemporary artists have continued the legacy of the process through their handmade sculptural forms and objects. This class introduces students to forge working hot steel, which is the heart of blacksmithing. Various techniques will be demonstrated. Safety will be emphasized. Class size is limited to four students to provide for adequate and safe use of the Art Center forge. Enrollment limited to 4; ages 16 and up

Spring I
D808
Tuesdays, February 28 - April 17
(8 sessions) 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
$280 Members / $311 Non-members

Spring II
E808
Tuesdays, April 24 - June 12
(8 sessions) 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
$280 Members / $311 Non-members

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Sculpture in Metal: Intermediate/Advanced
Instructor: Carey Netherton
Skill Level: AB, I, AD

This course is designed for those individuals who already have basic welding/metalworking experience but wish to develop their skills further. Techniques such as arc welding, MIG welding, TIG welding, as well as forging with the art center's new gas forge will be demonstrated. Students will be exposed to a variety of cold working methods also. Design principles will be emphasized and students will be encouraged to develop their own sculptural projects. Enrollment limited to 10; ages 16 and up

Welding dress code: Long sleeve shirt and long pants. (Cotton or wool only – no synthetic fibers). Closed toe shoes, leather preferred. No sandals, flip flops, etc. Gloves, eye protection and dust masks provided.

Spring I
D889
Tuesdays, February 28 - April 17
(8 sessions) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
$280 Members / $311 Non-members

Spring II
E889
Tuesdays, April 24 - June 12
(8 sessions) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
$280 Members / $311 Non-members

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Stone Carving Beginning/Intermediate
Instructor: Susan Lyman
Skill Level: B, AB, I

Beginner students: This class is for you! Using hand tools and working small in limestone, beginning students will be introduced to the carving process. Basic three-dimensional design will be discussed as it applies to individual projects. Intermediate students will hone their understanding of the reductive process and sculptural design and be introduced to power tools. Some tools provided. Student purchases stone. Instructor will provide supply list.
Enrollment limited to 16; ages 16 and up

Thursday Afternoon:
Spring I
D829
Thursdays, March 1 - April 19
(8 sessions) 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
$258 Members / $287 Non-members

Spring II
E829
Thursdays, April 26 - June 14
(8 sessions) 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
$258 Members / $287 Non-members

Saturday Morning:
Spring I
D830
Saturdays, March 3 - April 21
(8 sessions) 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
$258 Members / $287 Non-members

Spring I
E830
Saturdays, April 28 - June 16
No Class May 26
(7 sessions) 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
$228 Members / $253 Non-members

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Afternoon Sculpture and Bronze Casting
Instructors: Heidi Hoy & John Currie
Skill Level: All

Welcome new and experienced cast bronze sculptors! This course is tailored to meet your individual needs. Each student is assisted in realizing his or her unique creation from conception to completed bronze. You will begin with learning to create a sculpture in clay or wax. You then learn to pull a mold (if necessary), invest the wax for bronze casting, chase the metal, patina and mount the piece to complete it. Some tools and materials provided. Casting materials are purchased per project. Enrollment limited to 10; ages 18 and up

Spring I
D850
Wednesdays, February 29 - April 18
(8 sessions) 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
$275 Members / $306 Non-members

Spring Ii
E850
Wednesdays, April 25 - June 13
(8 sessions) 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
$275 Members / $306 Non-members

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All Living Things in Steel
Instructor: Judd Nelson
Skill Level: AB, I, AD

Learn to bring metal to life by welding, cutting, melting, forging and hammering steel. The instructor will guide you through the various metal working techniques you will need to make a realistic or abstract sculpture. Create animals, people, and even plants or trees–if it grows, we will sculpt it. Bring your project ideas to the first day of class. Enrollment limited to 10; ages 16 and up

Welding dress code: Long sleeve shirt and long pants. (Cotton or wool only – no synthetic fibers). Closed toe shoes, leather preferred. No sandals, flip flops, etc. Gloves, eye protection and dust masks provided.

Spring I
D877
Thursdays, March 1 - April 19
(8 sessions) 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
$274 Members / $304 Non-members

Spring II
E877
Thursdays, April 26 - June 14
(8 sessions) 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
$274 Members / $304 Non-members

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Faculty:

John Currie
John is a graphic and concept designer with clients in the US and Europe. He has studied Fine Art at the University of Minnesota, the Minnetonka Center for the Arts, and privately with notable instructors. John has been a sculpture Studio Assistant at the Art Center. His work is shown widely in the United States and in private collections here and abroad. www.fineart.currieworks.com

Heidi Hoy
B.A., Studio Arts, Hamline University. Heidi began taking sculpture classes at the Art Center in 1988, and taught from 1995-2002, and returned in 2008. She has exhibited her work in galleries and museums nationally and has created many public works. Her work reflects her love of the female form in dramatic poses. Watch “Foundry Dance” – created by Matt and Heidi Hoy – on YouTube. www.heidihoy.com

Susan Lyman
B.A., University of Minnesota, in Studio Art, Sociology and Anthropology. Susan has worked as an art director in major advertising agencies and has been involved in the Art Center for the past 15 years. Her work is primarily figurative and often life size. As a teacher she enjoys nurturing her students to develop their stone sculpting skills.

Judd Nelson
Judd has been creating welded and forged animal sculptures since he was 17, and completed his formal training in art at the University of Minnesota. He has taught at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts as well as in Native American and public schools around the country. Judd also worked in a number of capacities on “Hometime,” a National Public Television show. www.juddnelsonstudios.com

Carey Netherton
M.F.A. in Sculpture, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale; B.A. in 3-D Studio Art and Philosophy, Eastern Illinois University. Carey worked for over four years as a fine art foundry technician and supervisor at the Johnson Atelier Technical Institute of Sculpture in Mercerville, New Jersey. His award-winning work has been widely exhibited, and is a part of many private collections. www.careynetherton.com

Foster Willey, Jr.
B.F.A., Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, the Naguib School of Sculpture. Earns commissions and exhibits works in stone, bronze, concrete, wood and steel. www.fosterwilley.com

Arlene Zimmerman
Arlene studied at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts from 1993-2002, and worked as a teaching assistant from 1995-2002. Her work has been exhibited at galleries and at the Museum of American Art. The uniqueness of being a woman permeates her work, and her sculptural figures celebrate ethnicity.