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Program Courses

BLCK 121 - SHOP CULTURES:
SAFETY AND DEVICES

Introduces students to shop culture and to safe
operating practices for all tools in the shop. Students
will be given an overview of the two metal certificates
(Blacksmithing and Metal Casting) and will start to
develop the skills necessary to proceed into BLCK
123.

BLCK 123 - FABRICATION
TECHNIQUES: WELDED FORMS

Students will be introduced to the safe use of the
MIG welder, oxygen and acetylene gases, and the
plasma cutter. Exercises include samples using each
process, accurate layout, and sculptural inflation.

BLCK 125 - DESIGN FOR FABRICATION
AND BLACKSMITHING

Provides students with a basic understanding of the
design and visual communication skills required to
develop and present concepts that may be realized in
wrought iron. The course will offer an introduction to
essential drawing skills in black and white media and
an overview of core design principles — with context
via relevant metal craft history. Students will be
aided in developing their basic rendering techniques
and concept design skills in product development
and presentation. The course also covers practical
aspects such as the reading and drawing of scale
plans, structural considerations, and building code
conventions. Students will gain the ability to blend
functionality with aesthetics and articulate their
creative visions on paper as an adjunct to working in
wrought metal.

Prerequisites: BLCK 121

BLCK 127 - FORCE, STANCE, DIRECTION:
PRIMARY HAMMER SKILLS

Students will develop the ability to manipulate hot
steel with hammer and anvil. Following instructor
demonstrations and discussion, students will practice
a variety of basic smithing techniques. Emphasis is on
hammer control, proper and safe tool use and how

to apply the knowledge gained to complete simple
projects safely and effectively.

BLCK 129 - ADVANCED TECHNIQUES:
CONCEPTUALIZE AND CREATE

This component introduces students to a broader
range of Blacksmithing skills and techniques. Built on
a strong foundation of Blacksmithing fundamentals,
students’ ability to conceptualize and create
advanced forms will be increased through tool
making and creative problem solving. Students will

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make a hammer and punches. Skills include power
hammer techniques and Tooling.

BLCK 131 - PRODUCTION PROCESSES

Students will design, proof and execute a short
production run of ornamental metal art. Skills include
making and using custom jigs and tooling.

CAST 122 - DRAWING AND DESIGN
FOR METAL CASTING

This course provides students with a basic
understanding of Design and Visual Communication
skills required to develop and present concepts that
may be realized in Cast Molten Metal. Students will
gain the ability to integrate 2D/3D concepts and to
combine aesthetics with function when articulating
their creative visions ‘on paper’ as an adjunct to
working with Cast Metal.

CAST 124 - HOW TO CAST BRONZE

Students will design, sculpt, mold and then cast
their own unique creations in bronze. In this 5 week
intensive course through various assignments,
students will learn how to design and sculpt their
ideas in clay, mold them in rubber, wax, ceramic shell
and then bronze. Various bronze finishing techniques
will be taught as well as some marketing.

CAST 126 - EXPLORATION OF BRONZE

Students will learn to explore their ideas in clay with
more involved processes. In this 5-week intensive
course, students will learn more advanced molding
techniques and so can create more involved and
intricate sculptures. At the end of this course
students will visit foundries and working artists in
their studios. Students will leave this course with
basic casting and marketing skills to further their
own explorations.

CAST 128 - SCULPTURAL MODELING IN CLAY

This is a 15 week course designed to give students
skills in working with oil based clay. Through in class
exercises, demos and assignments, students will
learn to use various tools and techniques to Develop
an understanding of three dimensional form through
modeling in clay.

KSA 190 - SELF DIRECTED STUDIO

Provides students, under the direction of a faculty
member, an introduction to independent studio

time with emphasis on the production of a coherent
body of work. The student will integrate techniques,
materials, and skills learned in previous courses to
begin the development of an individual style. Students
will prepare and submit a professional quality design
brief/written proposal to the studio which will guide
their course of action, indicating design theme/

SCULPTURAL METAL STUDIO
selkirk.ca/program/sculptural-metal

concept, illustrations, workplan and techniques. This
proposal must be completed by the second week of
the course. The design brief will form the basis of the
contract for the work to be completed. Any changes
to the contract must be made in consultation with
faculty and presented in writing. While students are
expected to be primarily self directed, attendance
and participation in scheduled classes is mandatory.
Instructor(s) are available during class time for
individual consultation specifically relating to the
development of the body of work. There will be
critiques and discussion of the work in progress.

Prerequisites: Completion of Kootenay School of the
Arts certificate or diploma, or equivalent.

Contact

KOOTENAY STUDIO ARTS
Phone: 888.953.1133 ext 21324
Direct: 250.365.1324

Email: ksaadmissions@selkirk.ca

Selkirk College Academic Calendar 2019-20 211