thrilled to announce
In March 2025, the American Fine Arts Foundry opened its doors to a distinguished group of civic and cultural leaders, led by Mayor Nikki Perez of Burbank and Mayor Chelsea Byers of West Hollywood. At the heart of the experience was Brett Barney, Chief Collaborator and Foundry Partner, who guided the group through the awe-inspiring journey of transforming artistic vision into enduring public monuments.
Stepping into the foundry is like stepping back in time. The walls hum with history, and the air carries the quiet intensity of creation. As Brett led the group—flanked by artists, patrons, and city officials—through the foundry’s various departments, there was a collective sense of reverence. Eyes widened. Conversations hushed. Cameras clicked. Every corner of the space spoke of legacy.
The Ancient Dance of Lost Wax Casting
At the core of the foundry’s process lies one of the world’s oldest artistic techniques: lost wax casting. With roots tracing back over 6,000 years, this method has been used to create everything from Benin bronzes to Renaissance masterworks. “It’s not just a process,” Brett explained, standing in front of a row of delicate wax figures, “it’s a rite of passage for an idea—migrating from thought to form, from ephemeral to eternal.”
The group watched as hot wax was carefully poured into molds, forming exact replicas of original sculptures. These were then dipped repeatedly in ceramic slurry to create hard shells. The wax inside would soon be melted out—lost—to make way for molten bronze.
Witnessing the Pour: Liquid Metal, Solid Legacy
Perhaps the most electrifying moment came in the Bronze Pouring Division. With protective gear and anticipation thick in the air, everyone gathered at a safe distance as glowing orange metal, nearly 2,000°F, flowed from the crucible into waiting molds. The intensity of the heat was matched only by the silence of the onlookers—entranced by the visceral power of elemental transformation.
“This is where legacy is born,” said Brett, his voice almost drowned out by the roar of the furnace. “What you’re watching is a future monument—a work that could stand for centuries in a public space, inspiring generations.”
From Detail to Destiny
In the Metal Chasing and Patina departments, visitors were given the chance to examine finished pieces and works-in-progress up close. Some leaned in to admire the fine textures. Others took in the coloration techniques used to create a patina that can evoke age, emotion, or setting sun.
“What moved me the most,” Mayor Byers later shared, “was the feeling that every sculpture we saw wasn’t just a piece of art—it was a story made permanent.”
Mayor Perez added, “Public art like this defines a city’s soul. It gives people something to reflect on, to be proud of, and to preserve.”
A Foundry at the Heart of Public Culture
For decades, American Fine Arts Foundry has collaborated with renowned sculptors, architects, and civic planners to create monumental bronze works that elevate public spaces. The foundry is not simply a production facility—it is a cultural engine. A place where imagination is forged into matter. Where history and future coexist in glowing crucibles and sculpted forms.
As the tour ended and the group stood under the vaulted ceiling of the casting hall, there was a pause. A long moment where everyone simply stood and looked around. As if seeing not just what was—but what could be.
