St. Margaret’s Upper School students in AP 3D Design, Advanced Study 3D Design and Advanced Clay Handbuilding are learning a new form of art in a series of hands-on session in Laguna Beach: bronze sculpting.

The Upper School students immersed in the bronze casting workshop titled Artists Voice: Sense of Place providing the opportunity to learn and also discover more about personal expression through art. The workshop took place at the ArtLofts in Laguna Beach. This innovative program focused on the ancient technique of lost wax bronze casting, allowing students in Upper School’s advanced courses to create detailed metal sculptures from their own wax models. 

Lost wax bronze casting is a meticulous process that begins with creating a wax model, with molten bronze poured into a mold created around the model. 

Louis Longi the founder of ArtLofts and a renowned artist who previously created art for Cirque du Soleil, led the workshop. He shared his story with Upper School students about his development as an artist and the difference his high school art teacher made in his life. 

The bronze workshop experience provides a unique opportunity for young artists. “Most high schools don’t have this opportunity and only some colleges do. So it's amazing that Louis is willing to do this with our students,” said Jesse Standlea, visual arts teacher.

Inspired by the surroundings where ArtLoft was located, some Upper School students were translating the natural beauty of Laguna Canyon into their artworks. The connection between nature and their creative processes is a significant aspect of the program, highlighting the intersection of environment and artistic expression. 

This unique artwork is also a chance for visual arts students to further diversify their portfolios, as some advanced study students incorporate their portfolios into their college applications if they look to continue studying visual arts in college.