thrilled to announce
For over two years, a monumental project has taken shape behind the scenes at American Fine Arts Foundry. What began as a vision to honor Santa Barbara’s historic connection to deepwater commercial diving has now materialized into a breathtaking eight-foot bronze sculpture. And for the first time, the process behind its creation is no longer a secret.
Embedded on this page is a newly released behind-the-scenes video that pulls back the curtain on the foundry’s remarkable craftsmanship. It follows the construction of the commercial diver figure from early maquette to monumental casting, revealing not only the technical wizardry of bronze but also the human spirit that animates the foundry itself.
As Brett Barney, Chief Collaborator at American Fine Arts Foundry, states in the video, “We’re not really in the foundry business. We’re in the people business.” That ethos infuses every step of the journey—from the earliest wax casts to the final patina—reflecting a legacy of collaborative excellence, artistic precision, and emotional resonance.
A Monument with Deep Roots
The Santa Barbara Deepwater Diving Monument stands proudly at the Santa Barbara Harbor, paying tribute to the pioneering spirit of commercial divers and the region’s legacy as the birthplace of deepwater diving. This project was conceived by the Deepwater Diving Monument Committee and driven by the tireless passion of veterans like Paul Blanchette and Dave Gussow, both divers with decades of history in the field.
The sculpture was created by artist and diver George Sumner in collaboration with Dramatic Bronzes. Hundreds of smaller maquettes helped fund the massive undertaking, which totaled nearly $400,000 in materials, labor, engineering, and bronze casting. Over 300 limited-edition miniatures have been sold, many of which were also cast at American Fine Arts Foundry, providing crucial resources for the monument’s realization.
Inside the Foundry: Where Legacy Meets Craft
The sculpture’s journey began at the American Fine Arts Foundry in Burbank, California, where master artisans used a hybrid of traditional lost-wax casting and cutting-edge 3D printing to bring the diver to life. The process began with the maquette—a small-scale version used to finalize form and proportions.
Once approved, the sculpture entered the foundry’s casting phase. Each component—legs, torso, helmet—was first printed or molded in wax, then dipped repeatedly in ceramic slurry to form heat-resistant shells. After the wax was burned out, molten bronze was poured into the molds.
Chasing, or metal finishing, followed. The surface was refined, seams were smoothed, and textures were finessed to match the artist’s vision. The foundry team then built an internal armature for structural stability, assembling the large components and welding them with absolute precision.
Finally came the patina, a delicate process of chemical coloration that gives bronze its rich, iconic surface. Only once the patina was approved by the client was the sculpture declared complete. It was then prepared for installation at its permanent home in Santa Barbara Harbor.
A Window into the World of Bronze Art
This video does more than just document a single project—it opens a window into the vast creative world of American Fine Arts Foundry. Viewers get a rare glimpse at the team producing commemorative sculptures, monumental public works like the West Hollywood AIDS Memorial, and one-of-a-kind commissions including Buddha statues, custom awards, and high-polished luxury furniture.
As seen in the footage, over 750 bronze components are being cast, assembled, and surfaced in a choreography of grit and grace. Artists and artisans work side by side, blending old-world techniques with modern innovation. Each project—like the Deepwater Diving Monument—is a story of time, texture, and human dedication.
Learn More: The Broader Story
The Santa Barbara Deepwater Diving Monument is more than a statue—it’s a cultural landmark. To fully appreciate the breadth and depth of this project, we encourage you to explore:
• Deepwater Diving Monument Official Site
• Santa Barbara Maritime Museum Unveiling
• Edhat Santa Barbara News Coverage
• Dramatic Bronzes by Greg Polutanovich
