Alternative Foundry Practices Collaborative Research Events

Alternative Foundry Practices 2025

ESW hosted Alternative Foundry Practices, a collaborative research project focused on integrating a new reclaimed cooking oil fueled furnace into our facilities. This initiative explored progressive, environmentally-conscious foundry methods in contemporary sculpture, culminating in a series of public events from Wednesday 27 – Friday 29 August 2025.

At ESW, we support sculpture in its broadest sense—across disciplines, materials, and technologies. As part of our commitment to sustainable practices, we’re exploring innovative alternatives in artist-led metal casting processes, including fuel sources and mould-making techniques.

Project Overview

Over the course of 2025, our technical team and collaborating artists are engaging in hands-on experimentation and research, connecting with an international network of forward-thinking artists and technicians who are pushing boundaries in metal casting.

This work culminated in a public-facing programme showcasing our new waste cooking oil-fuelled furnace, developed in partnership with Stephen Coles and Necole Schmitz of Coles Castings (Dorset, England).
www.colescastings.com

Project Timeline

Partner Development Week:
18 – 25 August 2025
Intensive period of collaborative research and making at ESW by our technical team, Necole Schmitz and Stephen Coles of Coles Castings, Andrew Dunlop, Giulia Gentili, Gordon Munro, Fionn Timmins and Agneiszka Ziolo. Aimée Finlay and Calum Murray have supported the creation of a blueprint.

We are also happy to announce that the two Members selected to be part of the Alternative Foundry Practices project are Samer Abdelnour and Evie Rose Thornton.

Public Programme:
27 – 29 August 2025
Location: Covered Yard and Research Space, ESW

Public Events Schedule

Wednesday 27 August 2025, 2 – 5pm, free

  • Live demonstrations of mould-making techniques and materials
  • Waste oil furnace setup on display
  • Artist Talk: Necole Schmitz
  • Presentation & Blueprint Launch: Stephen Coles on Waste Oil Furnace Design
  • Guided tour of ESW facilities & Membership Q&A

Thursday 28 August 2025, 2 – 6pm – Public Pour Day, free

  • Witness 200kg of aluminium, bronze, and iron poured into moulds
  • Live commentary and process explanations by hosting team
  • Some de-moulding may take place toward the end of the session

Friday 29 August 2025, 2 – 5pm, free

  • Tour of the poured works with artists Stephen Murray and Uist Corrigan
  • Explore the de-moulding process and early stages of finishing
  • Celebratory Drinks in the Courtyard
  • Evening pizza from Holy Crust @ MILK Café (pre-booking required, you can do that on Milk website, choosing any time available after 4pm on 29 August)

Food & Seating

Events take place outdoors. Some seating provided.
MILK Café will serve food and drinks throughout.
Holy Crust Pizza available Friday evening.

This programme is part of ESW’s commitment to artist-led innovation and environmentally progressive practice. Join us to learn, connect, and witness cutting-edge work in alternative foundry methods.

Necole Schmitz illustrated talk being introduced by Stephen Murray, on front of a seated audience, Alternative Foundry Practices events.
Stephen Coles demonstrating some green sand moulding within the Casting Workshop, audiences in the foreground. Alternative Foundry Practices events.
Dung Moulds being made by the collaborators, Alternative Foundry Practices.
Audience members looking at the oil-fueled furnaces during an introductory tour, Alternative Foundry Practices.
Sand moulds in the sand pit ready for pouring, Alternative Foundry Practices.
View across the pouring area with moulds set up, Alternative Foundry Practices.
Audience viewing the pour, Alternative Foundry Practices.
Pouring with two teams, Alternative Foundry Practices.
De-moulding day, with collaborators explaining outcomes to audience, Alternative Foundry Practices.
De-moulding day, with collaborators explaining outcomes to audience, Alternative Foundry Practices.
De-moulding day, with collaborators explaining outcomes to audience, Alternative Foundry Practices.
De-moulding day, with collaborators explaining outcomes to audience, Alternative Foundry Practices.