Metal Arts Workshops

Inspired by the legacy of iron-making on the Carrie Furnaces site, Rivers of Steel’s Metal Arts program highlights the materials and process involved in creating molten iron. Artists, craftsmen, and apprentices work as a team, creating pieces that reflect form and function. Whether the result is sculptural or industrial, each metal pour reflects the work that took place at Carrie Furnaces and enables visitors to enjoy an authentic, site-based experience.

Educational workshops offer hands-on opportunities for folks to get involved at the novice, intermediate, and experienced skill levels.

Team-building exercises recreate the camaraderie felt between fellow workers on the job.

Email arts@riversofsteel.com for more information.

artist pour metal outside at touchstone center for craft campus

Bronze Casting @ Touchstone Center for Crafts

Wednesday – Friday, June 26 – 29
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Join Rivers of Steel Arts and Touchstone Center for Crafts for a three-day bronze-casting workshop in the beautiful Laurel Highlands!

This workshop is perfect for anyone looking for an unforgettable creative experience. All experience levels are welcome! Participants will work with leading foundry artist, Ed Parrish, to build and transform your unique creations into solid bronze.

Starting with the creation of a pattern from wax, oil clay, or other basic materials, you will go on to invest your pattern design in resin-bonded sand molds and work with the teaching artist to cast each object on the final day of the workshop.

Sign up for Bronze Casting

hot aluminum poured into molds

Aluminum Casting Session

(One-day workshop)
Tuesday, July 8 | Tuesday, August 13 | Tuesday, October 15
5:00 – 8:30 pm

This workshop is a great way to explore the metal casting process and get your feet wet. No prior experience or artistic background necessary! Take a class with a friend; create a special gift or unique piece of art. Participants will learn how to create a unique pattern from every day materials and invest this one-sided design in resin-bonded sand. Cast aluminum objects can be taken home at the end of the workshop.

Interested in a private workshop or group rates? Contact Chris McGinnis at 412. 464. 4020 x 253 or cmcginnis@riversofsteel.com

Sign up for Aluminum Casting
Metalworkers pouring molten metal

Iron Pour during the Festival of Combustion

Week-Long Iron Intensive

(Six-day workshop)
Monday – Saturday, July 22 – 27 | Monday – Saturday, September 23 – 28
Open hours: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

This six -day workshop features extended shop time onsite and in-depth instruction and/or assistance catered to the needs of each individual. Participants will have the chance to learn and experiment with multiple pattern-making materials and create multiple large and complex multi-part sand molds.

Prior experience or Intro to Iron Casting is recommended. Registration includes access to the Carrie Furnaces foundry daily between 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and the ultimate experience of participating in an iron pour from a coke fired cupola—just like the historic furnaces onsite!

Week-Long Iron Intensive workshops include up to 500 lbs. of sand and corresponding chemical. Sand and chemical needs beyond this allotted amount are available for $.25/lb. Waste removal and foundry consumables are included in this price.

Sign up for the Week-Long Workshop
two artists pour ladle of molten iron

Intro to Iron Casting

(Three-day workshop)
Thursday – Saturday, July 25 – 27 | Thursday – Saturday, September 26 – 28
4:00 – 7:00 pm

Iron casting is a community workshop experience!

Intro to Iron Casting participants work with experienced Rivers of Steel teaching artists to learn the basics of foundry work and receive an overview of the iron casting process step by step. No prior experience necessary. This workshop covers multi-part mold and pattern design, lost- wax casting, resin-bonded sand molds and iron smelting. The course results in your own unique design cast in solid iron!

All workshop items are cast on Saturday during the day.

Sign up for Intro to Iron Casting

Learn more about the events

such as tours, workshops, and festivals happening at each unique attraction.

See calendar