🤝 The Heart of the Foundry: Brett Barney & a Collaborative Culture
In the world of fine art fabrication, American Fine Arts Foundry (AFA) stands as a pinnacle of precision, artistry, and collaboration. Located in Burbank, California, this full-service bronze foundry is renowned for working hand-in-hand with artists, sculptors, and creative teams to bring even the most complex visions to life. Under the expert leadership of Chief Collaborator Brett Barney, AFA has become synonymous with excellence in the production of monumental sculpture, public art, and bespoke bronze works.
At the core of AFA’s success is Brett Barney, a creative force and logistics mastermind who guides each project from concept to installation. His title—Chief Collaborator—is more than a label; it embodies a philosophy. Brett and his team foster a deeply respectful, co-creative environment where every artist feels heard and supported.
- AFA doesn’t just “cast” bronze—they co-create legacies.
- Every phase is collaborative: ideation, digital modeling, maquette development, mold-making, casting, chasing, patination, engineering, packaging, and installation.
From independent artists to major studios, clients consistently choose AFA for its seamless communication, structural integrity, and unwavering professionalism.
🔧 Where Art Meets Engineering: A Turnkey Bronze Foundry
As a leading bronze foundry in Los Angeles, AFA delivers start-to-finish solutions that combine old-world craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology:
- 3D scanning, CNC milling, and digital enlargement for scale-accurate reproduction.
- Structural engineering and fabrication tailored to meet public safety codes and aesthetic intent.
- Expert patina finishing for lasting brilliance and nuanced coloration.
- Full-scale installation and logistics, including site staging, cranes, and compliance.
AFA is one of the few bronze foundries near me that offers such a complete, integrated workflow—making it a go-to for monumental, architectural, and gallery-level projects.
“It’s an honor to sculpt a character like John Stewart. Bringing him into the real world in bronze, working with a foundry like AFA—it’s a dream,” ~ Pereira Ezcurra.
🦸 Green Lantern Collaboration: A Monumental Triumph of Pop Culture and Bronze Art
A shining example of AFA’s commitment to cultural relevance and monumental execution is the Green Lantern statue collaboration—a tribute to John Stewart, DC’s first Black superhero Green Lantern. Created by renowned sculptor Alejandro Pereira Ezcurra and brought to life in partnership with DC Comics and Warner Bros., this larger-than-life bronze figure captures heroism and identity in a bold public art installation.
“It’s an honor to sculpt a character like John Stewart. Bringing him into the real world in bronze, working with a foundry like AFA—it’s a dream,” shared Pereira Ezcurra.
The statue was unveiled in the heart of Downtown Burbank, symbolizing inclusion, transformation, and the power of art to elevate community identity. The piece was made possible through AFA’s full-scale project management—overseeing digital enlargement, bronze casting, and site installation.
🔗 Read the full story: Bringing Heroes to Life
🔗 Forging the Future: AFA Hosts Mayors of Burbank & West Hollywood
🌍 Monumental Sculpture: When Vision Demands Scale
American Fine Arts Foundry is an industry leader in monumental sculpture and public art. These large-scale works are engineered to last generations—physically and culturally.
Featured Projects Include:
- “Imagine Falling Blocks” by Bill Mack Monumental bronze cubes unveiled at the Four Seasons Hotel in Minneapolis, symbolizing imagination and kinetic transformation.
🔗 View the Imagine Project - “Strawberry Zest” – Garden Grove Civic Center A 960-pound, six-foot bronze strawberry encased in citrus peel—a joyful tribute to community history, fabricated and patinated in-house by AFA.
🔗 View the Strawberry Zest Project
These projects show AFA’s mastery not only in metalwork, but also in storytelling through form, surface, and scale.
🏆 Why American Fine Arts Foundry Is the Best Bronze Foundry
Clients looking for the best bronze foundry will find AFA uniquely qualified:
- Location: Conveniently situated in Burbank, AFA is the top choice among bronze foundries near Los Angeles.
- Expertise: Over 35 years of experience across fine art, museum-quality work, and municipal public art.
- Full Service: From creative consultation to final installation, everything happens in-house.
- Community Impact: AFA actively supports civic pride and cultural storytelling
- CodaWorx
- International Sculpture Center
