3rd Grade Cast Iron Pour Sculptures
I’m excited to share a special project made possible through a grant from the Education Foundation. With this support, my students had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the Western North Carolina Sculpture Center in Lenoir, North Carolina, to create their own cast-iron low-relief sculptures.
Cast iron is used to make many everyday objects — from pots and kettles to artistic sculptures and industrial metal parts — but seeing the process up close brings a whole new appreciation for the craft.
At the Sculpture Center, a mold was created using a clay and sand mixture designed to hold molten iron safely in the desired shape. My students then carved their own Miró-inspired designs into the mold surface, carefully planning each line and texture. Watching their ideas take physical form was inspiring.
Once the molds were ready, the Sculpture Center team poured molten iron into each one. After the iron cooled, the castings were removed, revealing the students’ finished sculptures in solid metal — a powerful transformation from sketch to carving to iron.
Each year, the center also hosts a Cast Iron Day where families can come watch and even participate in the process. It’s an amazing community event that celebrates art, craftsmanship, and hands-on learning.
I’m so grateful for the grant, our partnership with the Sculpture Center, and the chance for my students to experience art in such a lasting and memorable way.
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