Casting Iron at TASA 2010
Co-facilitated by:
Butch Jack, Lamar University
Amy Gerhauser, St. Edward’s University
Donnie Keen, Keen Foundry

A Charm Bracelet for Texas
Some of you may have heard about the in-progress project to cast an iron chain with links from all fifty states; the Charm Bracelet for Texas is an extension of that idea. There are a number of academic iron casting programs in art departments in Texas universities and each can cast a link for the national chain; but Texas was previously a nation unto itself and it deserves a comparable project. Since TASA is the statewide organization of those programs, it seems logical that it should be the venue for the project. St. Edwards University, the host institution for the 2010 conference, has offered to be the agent for the production of this “linked”, but separate endeavor. We would like to invite every school in Texas, attending the TASA this April, to bring a mold of a “charm” that represents their school to the 2010 conference to be filled as part of the iron pour.

The parameters are that the mold be either a set-sand or ceramic shell mold that will stand the high temperature of cast iron. If the mold is ceramic shell, bring a metal trash can or similar container & enough loose sand to use as a mother mold. The pattern can be any image, shape, or form, but should not require more than 50 pounds to fill (including plumbing and pouring cup.) Each pattern should have a “ring” incorporated to one side (corner, whatever) so that the collection can be attached to a common steel chain with another steel ring, in the manner of a standard charm bracelet. It is envisioned that the completed “bracelet” will travel between the participating institutions, so the image should take the travails of shipping into account in the design.

The pattern should be capable of multiple molds, just in case we have trouble casting at the conference. Finish chasing the castings is the responsibility of the institution it represents and the final assembly will be accomplished in Houston at Keen Foundry/Meredith Jack’s studio.

Please email Amy Gerhauser at amyg@stedwards.edu well before the conference with info about:
· Number of molds your school is bringing
· Total pounds of iron needed to fill your Charm Bracelet mold (and any other 50lb-or-less molds you bring)
· How much iron you are bringing? (needs to be broken up into 1/4” thick max by 1” x 1-1/2” pieces, no big stuff)

Iron Pour 2009

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