Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center, Teaching Artist Jess Bergman Tank, 3.5 hrs
With classes resuming this week, I spent time both in the studio and at Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center (CAFAC) shadowing Jess Bergman Tank.
Currently, I am preparing some work for a group show in our on-campus student-run gallery, Gallery 148. Originally, I was intrigued by working with projection onto drywall or wallpaper on drywall, but ultimately decided to frame and hang photographs. These photographs are of different homes I have lived in in a rural town of 1,600 people, alongside two of the apartments I have rented in Minneapolis - and are a collection of both archived and recent photo work.
Wednesday was my first day of shadowing and assisting at CAFAC. The students in the “Sculptural Metal Casting Fundamentals” class, on their third week, were finishing up their sand molds for an aluminum pour that took place later in the evening. I assisted with cutting the aluminum into thirds on a bandsaw, and shadowing Jess and watching the method of preparing this specific mold for pouring. Once a mold is complete, the molds and vents are caulked together, creating an air flow that is helpful when pouring metal. As a class, the students were geared up in aprons, jackets, helmets and gloves, and ran through what was going to happen during the pour (which I felt was very helpful to those who are visual learners). The students then finished caulking the pieces of their molds together, and assisting Jess with preparing for the pour (i.e. bringing materials into the middle part of the center, just inside where they usually pour in the driveway). I shadowed during the pour, which was also led by a former intern and with Jess assisting (on account of her pregnancy). Aluminum pours are similar to bronze pours, the latter I have assisted with in our 3D shop on campus. The students were all respectful of each other and willing to help when needed. Jess had a very fluid tone in speaking, and spoke softly and fairly during the entire session. I appreciated her level-headedness and when instructing, whether on an individual or group basis, her use of positive language and practical way of assisting students with their molds.
It seemed as though everyone was content with their final product, and it was exciting to watch as the students opened their molds with hammers and saw the sand crumble into a pile. For next week, they are continuing to work on their wax project for the upcoming bronze pour, and will blow out their aluminum pieces to remove sand/debris.