Art/Crafts with Nikki Romanello

How To: Cast Pewter at Home (Online)

In this demo-based online class, students will learn how to cast low-temperature metals at home! We'll experiment with making molds with from many different materails, including cuttlefish, sand, and silicone putty, an easy-to-use and very satisfying material. Turn your kitchen into a foundry!

Images from past classes can be seen at: http://www.nikkiromanello.com/NikkiRomanello/TEACHING/Pages/PEWTER_CASTING.html

What to bring

Sand - 1 Bag Aluminum baking pans for sand - 4 Pans Clay sculpting tools - 1 Cast Iron Pans - 4 Stainless Steel Spoons - 4 Thin Metal Wire - 1 Flathead Screw Drivers - 8 Small Files - 1 Set Tweezers - 2 Dentil Picks - 2 Wire Brush - 4 Pewter Ingot - 2 per student Olive Oil - 1 Bottle Jax Black Patina - 1 Bottle Paste Wax - 1 Can Hot Plate - 2 Leather Gloves - 3 pairs Safety Glasses - 4 Bucket for water - 1

About Nikki Romanello

Nikki Romanello was born and raised in Texas. As a kid she spent free time observing and collecting natural artifacts. In high school she was accepted into a four year AP art program. During her first year of college, she worked in a natural science lab where she gained experience with several scientific processes including; lab prep, dissection, and plant cultivation. She received her BFA in Interdisciplinary Sculpture and a Concentration in Photography at Maryland Institute of College of Art in Baltimore. During her last two years of undergrad she devoted herself to metal sculpture. After graduating, she experienced several job opportunities and built a sculpture studio. Her work experience includes the Baltimore Museum of Art, Harris Rubin, New Arts Foundry, and volunteering at the University of Maryland Iron Pour. She graduated with an MFA in Studio Art, majoring in Sculpture from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. She worked as a metal department teaching assistant and metal shop technician during her MFA. After graduating she worked for Will Ryman, Robert Lazzarini, and 3rd Ward. She also participated in a one year artist residency at Hot Wood Art Center and had a solo Bio Art show at the University Science Center in Philadelphia. Currently, she is continuing her science research, building a metal shop, and teaching art and bioart classes at Brooklyn Brainery and Genspace.