Metal casting in Ticino - experimental art week

Metal casting is exciting and requires maximum concentration. Until the time comes, we practice the basic principles of casting with small and simple molds and various materials. The molds can also be made from a wide variety of materials and different methods are taught.

This course is characterized by creative activities that become an unforgettable and alchemical experience in the midst of nature. In the studio, molds are prepared and various metals are mixed together, which are then melted in the dry riverbed of the Maggia and poured into the prepared molds. Techniques such as the lost wax process and sand casting are taught and implemented. In this experimental course, it becomes clear that casting is not only the manual realization of a work of art, but that each cast sculpture finds its own expression. Experimentation is encouraged!
Participants will work with a wide variety of metals such as pewter, lead, aluminum and bronze.

This course incurs material costs of 120.-CHF, including 5 kg of bronze per participant. In addition, metals can be purchased from the school at standard commercial prices.

Ambience of the houses
If you rent a room in one of our course houses, you will be staying with the other participants in one of the old Ticino houses in the area. The original furnishings are charming and the atmosphere around the open fire is very cozy...
Costs:
Double room for 1 week: 200.- CHF
Single room for 1 week: 300.- CHF
Please bring your own towels, bed linen is provided.
Hotel rooms or a rustico (Ticino vacation home) can also be rented as accommodation, we will be happy to help with the arrangement!

Breakfast and lunch will be organized by the participants themselves and can be arranged freely, in the evening there will be a meal together in one of the accommodation houses in Prato Sornico.

Various chefs are happy to cook for our course participants and offer dinner in the Ex-Osteria Mignami during the week (Mon-Fri). Dinner costs CHF 26 including starter/main course/dessert (drinks such as wine, beer etc.) can be purchased from them by the bottle.

Arrival: Sunday meeting point 5.15 pm, organizational matters, setting up the studio, moving into the accommodation and eating together, if desired.
Working hours: Monday to Friday: 8.30 am to 12 noon, 2 pm to 5 pm.
In addition, you can work freely.
Departure after the end of the course, possible until 10 am on Saturday.

Arrival is by car or public transport.

Arrival by car via Gotthard (A2) / San Bernardino (A3 / A13) or Chiasso (A2) / exit "Bellinzona Sud/Locarno" direction Locarno (main road) / tunnel Locarno / exit "Vallemaggia/Centovalli/Onsernone" (DO NOT leave Locarno!) continue direction Vallemaggia (from the end of the tunnel 40 km to Peccia)

Coming from western Switzerland and Valais: Simplon route to Domodossola / Centovalli / Ponte-Brolla, then turn left into Vallemaggia (from here 35 km to Peccia)

Arrival by public transport from Locarno SBB station. Take the "Vallemaggia" bus to Bignasco, then change to the Postbus to the "Peccia Paese" stop.

Arrival in Peccia: Turn left towards Piano di Peccia, after 30 meters there is a bridge over the river, here you can park your car on the left. The sculpture school is located directly on the river opposite the former stone processing company Cristallina S.A.