When I first signed up for a sculpture class at UA, I was expecting what everyone typically thinks sculpture would be; modeling clay and maybe a little woodworking. However, I was thoroughly shocked when I read through the syllabus on the first day of class. Wood shop. Metal shop. Foundry. Skills learned at the end of the semester would include how to use a variety of wood and metal shop equipment, working in various types of media (wood, wax, steel, aluminum, bronze, etc.), and further exploration of 3D design. Part of me was excited, but most of me was thinking what the hell did I get myself into.
The first class started with a tour of the metal shop. We were introduced to various metal cutting devices - the band saw, Beverly shears, angle grinders, and the plasma cutter (which was really freaking awesome but also scary as heck — if we're being honest, all of these things were scary as heck.) It took a while to get used to everything, but each class I found myself getting more and more comfortable. Overall, everything I have experienced in my sculpture class has been absolutely positive - to the point where I honestly believe every woman needs to take this kind of shop class. Here are just a few reasons why:
1. Everyone is equal in the shop
Metal and woodworking is a field in art that is predominantly male, so it was really reassuring to find other women in my class. However, my professor and the shop technicians didn't treat their female students any differently than male students. They didn't assume we couldn't lift heavy things or didn't have the strength to operate certain machinery. We were all there for one reason; to learn - just like everyone else in that class. And we did learn a lot. For an artist project in the class, one of my colleagues showed us female metal sculptor named Elizabeth Brim who is a real inspiration a.k.a. badass. Her artwork focuses on creating typically dainty, feminine objects out of steel — her mother said her career choice was not 'ladylike,' so Elizabeth would wear a strand of pearls every time she worked in her metal shop (classy AF).
2. It's empowering
Having grown up thriving in the outdoors and riding horses since the age of 5, I typically consider myself a pretty tough individual. At the beginning of the semester, however, I was extremely timid in the shop. I didn't want to use any tools or machinery out of fear of breaking something, doing something incorrectly, or generally looking like an idiot. I've said it before and I will say it again, you are there to learn and once I realized I would never learn anything if I didn't try anything, I knew I couldn't waste my time and opportunity to use all the awesome equipment we have in the shop. By the end of the semester, I was comfortably using the MIG welder, grinding down/shaping my pieces, sand-blasting, slurry-dipping, and cutting wood, steel, and aluminum on my own.
3. You learn to not care so much about looks or getting dirty
I can promise you that no one cares what you wear, if you have a bad hair day, there's a stain on your shirt, your winged eyeliner isn't even, or your shoes don't go with the rest of your outfit. We're all wearing the same outfit; a t-shirt, jeans, and work boots. You will inevitably end up covered in wax, grime, wood shavings, sawdust, slurry, or whatever else finds its way into your clothes and hair. You will ruin your favorite pair of pants. It's high time we start embracing it, because what we do is pretty damn cool.
4. You come away with many useful life skills
Because of my sculpture class, I now know how to weld steel and aluminum (this skill could land me a job practically right away.) I can operate common machines in a construction or shop setting. I can tell different woods and metals apart and what each variety is best suited for the job I'm working on. I can take things apart, put them together, and cut them back up into pieces to be salvaged for my next project. I can measure, drill, level, cast ceramics, and take rubber molds. I have gained a deeper respect for concepts of 3D design and all the science that goes into making structural and artistic pieces happen. I now have a greater grasp on handling different materials, and I am so thankful for all this practical knowledge that I can bring into my home or a future workplace. Not many women can say they know all that I do now.
5. You do some pretty awesome things
Imagine waking up one day, driving to campus, and suiting up to fire ceramic molds to 1000°F then turning bronze or aluminum into molten liquid between 1200°F and 2000°F. You work with fire, lasers, particles that split metal at the press of a button. Metal sculpture feels like something out of an action movie a lot of the time — all for the sake of art.
6. You become more patient
Translating a drawing on paper to something three-dimensional takes a lot of time and attention to detail. The metal-casting process is extremely meticulous and time-consuming. From building the wax mold to creating the slurry/sand fired ceramic mold into which the metal will be poured, you have to take your time and be cautious of each process.
7. You make amazing pieces
With all the equipment, space, aid, and materials needed to create elaborate wood and metal pieces, there is no way I'd be able to create the projects I've turned in for this class on my own. The most rewarding part of this class was watching a process I knew nothing about come together to make a piece of artwork I was proud to say I made.
I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity I have been given to work in such an amazing facility here at UA. Not many people can say they experienced this kind of practical education — no, art majors don't just sit around a draw.
Special thanks to Craig, Joni, Mike, Patrick, and all the other shop technicians who helped me throughout the semester. You guys are the best!
Would you take a sculpture class?
