The Forge at Detroit's College for Creative Studies Keeps the Fire Stoked for Metal Sculpture in the Motor City
It's Saturday Night and I Have FOMO
Many nights, I go out looking for Detroit Art History. It’s not an oxymoron. I routinely attempt to capture text, especially the writing on the wall of galleries. It’s no longer a quixotic pursuit. AI is scanning every word of publicly available text as we speak.
For all of AI’s progress, I still don’t have what I want. Let’s call it a single view of the truth of Detroit Art past, present and future. I have huge FOMO knowing that on this Saturday night, some great art opening is putting great art up on the walls .. and I don’t know where to go and when.
My mind puzzles over the riddle. If we have great sculptors in Detroit, why don’t we have a powerful center for Detroit sculpture. I love the sculpting scene at 333 Midland. I hope for great moments at 555 Arts out on Warren Avenue. I’m delighted to learn more about the forge at the College for Creative Studies. Rober Sestok has accomplished great results at City Sculpture. Rod Rodriguez curated an awesome show at the Annex Gallery in 2024. Yet, it all seems far, far under the radar and hardly well organized.
Art Clvb is advancing on the chaos. For example, the fiber arts show in the New Center had a connection to Art Clvb. Sarah Sharp published an amazing book on the participants in that exposition. All I want is for all of us Detroit artists to stop crying alone in the wilderness.
Enjoy this round up of what I discovered at CCS.
🔥 Pioneering Mentors and Influencers of the CCS Foundry🔥
Walter Midener – Early master of metal casting and formative educator.
Jay Holland – Transformative mentor who inspired a generation of artists.
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🔥 Legendary Artists Shaped by CCS Foundry 🔥
Sergio De Giusti – Renowned sculptor and art educator.
David Petrakovitz – Accomplished artist known for his sculptural works.
John Piet – Influential artist contributing to the metal casting legacy.
Robert Bielat – Notable for pushing creative boundaries in sculpture.
Hugh Timlin – Former CCS educator and skilled artist.
John Van Amerongen – Celebrated for his craftsmanship and teaching.
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🔥 Todd Erickson’s Powerhouse Students 🔥
Matthew Hanna – Pushing boundaries with innovative casting techniques.
Henry Roberts – Known for bold sculptural expressions.
Alvaro Jurado – Experimental artist blending materials and concepts.
David Newton – Modern sculptor keeping the foundry spirit alive.
Scott Hocking – Renowned for large-scale installations and sculptures.
Marcyanna Parzych – Masterful in diverse casting techniques.
Gary Kulak – Prolific sculptor with a signature style.
Sharon Que – Visionary artist exploring conceptual forms.
Chris Zagacki – Emerging talent with a flair for metalwork.
Willie Hahn – Exceptional creativity in sculptural design.
Stephany Latham – Dynamic artist blending tradition with innovation.
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🔥 CCS Faculty Leaving a Lasting Impact 🔥
Susanna Linburg – Exceptional instructor and artist.
Joseph Wesner – Beloved mentor and talented craftsman.
John Burkwhat – Sculptor with a lasting educational impact.
Paul Martus – Known for expertise in metal casting.
Graem Whyte – Experimental sculptor blending new materials.
Alan Brown – Master craftsman and dedicated instructor.
John Rizzo – Skilled artist influencing the next generation.
James Viste – Creative force in the metal arts world.
🔥 The fire still burns bright at the CCS Foundry, forging generations of groundbreaking artists! 🔥
This Text I Photographed on the Wall of the Gallery
A History of the CCS Foundry Curated by Todd Erickson
The CCS (later renamed the College for Creative Studies) foundry has long been a vital hub for students, particularly those in Fine Arts, Crafts, and Industrial Design. Over the years, it has nurtured generations of artists by providing technical training in the exacting processes of casting metal-making molds, creating waxes, spruing, investing, pouring, and finishing. This tradition, which emphasizes endurance, commitment, and the transformation of raw materials into art, is a hallmark of the institution.
In addition to technical skills, CCS encourages an exploration of new, non-traditional approaches. The foundry has supported experimental casting projects involving organic materials like wood, fabric, and even food, creating new creative possibilities for students to weave their personal narratives into their artwork. One of the most anticipated annual events is the outdoor cupola pour, where thousands of pounds of scrap iron are melted and poured into molds, continuing a tradition that began in 1984 with iron casting expert Julius Schmidt.
The Society of Arts and Crafts, as shared by Professor Emeritus Jay Holland, has a deep and rich history that traces back to its origins at 47 Watson Street, where the original Tudor building was completed in 1928. Under the guidance of Walter Midener, this location became a formative space where students honed their skills in metalwork, often in an outdoor courtyard with a small casting setup. While this first building was later demolished, the Society continued to evolve, relocating behind the Detroit Institute of Arts.
In 1958, the Society's new home was a building designed by Yamasaki, Leinweber, and Associates at 245 E. Kirby. The design offered ample natural light for the school's studios and classrooms, supporting a growing community of artists. The Graphics and Photography departments found space across the street in an old hospital, while sculpture, welding, and foundry spaces were housed in a nearby cinderblock structure. By 1975, the institution transformed into the Center for Creative Studies (CCS), and despite various changes, including a relocation of the foundry to make room for other developments, the foundry continued to be an essential component of CCS.
This exhibition, Passage of Knowledge, celebrates over 65 years of sculpting and foundry work at CCS. It traces the evolution and legacy of this art form, starting with the influential teachings of Walter Midener in the 1960s and continuing through Jay Holland's transformative mentorship. Holland's influence shaped a community of accomplished artists, including Sergio De Giusti, David Petrakovitz, John Piet, Robert Bielat, Hugh Timlin (who also taught in the foundry), and John Van Amerongen. Their work paved the way for a new generation of artists, including Todd Erickson, whose students—such as Matthew Hanna, Henry Roberts, Alvaro Jurado, David Newton, Scott Hocking, Marcyanna Parzych, Gary Kulak, Sharon Que, Chris Zagacki, Willie Hahn, and Stephany Latham—continue to push the boundaries of sculpting and casting.
This exhibition also honors the contributions of CCS faculty members who have significantly impacted the foundry, including Susanna Linburg, Joseph Wesner, John Burkwhat, Paul Martus, Graem Whyte, Alan Brown, John Rizzo, and James Viste.
Passage of Knowledge is a tribute to the enduring sculpting heritage at CCS. It invites visitors to explore the powerful connections that link generations of artists through the time-honored art of casting.
Todd Erickson, CCS Foundry Instructor and Director of Exhibition Services
