Cavityless casting as an art education method

It is the purpose of this study to: (1) explore the feasibility of introducing metal casting to the high school art program, using equipment generally found in most art rooms; (2) evaluate cavity less casting as to its value as an art education method; and (3) develop less expensive innovations to the metal casting process. A good art program should give the students vitally important information concerning all art or art related forms. It is generally assumed by art educators that students learn to appreciate the work of artists and craftsmen through firsthand experiences in similar media. Much of the art in art history books and museum exhibits relates to the metal casting process, yet, other than the centrifugal casting of small jewelry forms, metal casting is unknown at the high school level. Many art schools and colleges are beginning to add the metal casting of sculpture to their curriculum. There have been two sculpture casting conferences, national in scope, that have contributed to this movement. The 1960 Conference was devoted mainly to the encouragement and the introduction of bronze casting workshops into schools and colleges. The 1962 National Sculpture Casting Conference emphasized aesthetics and techniques of casting. In addition, college and university art departments are becoming more selective in their students, and there is a growing tendency to accept students on the basis of knowledge in art and a demonstrated proficiency in the art processes. There seems to be no question that this process would be a valuable addition to the high school curriculum.