The Bells of Arcosanti

While living at Arcosanti (an experimental architectural project and community in Arizona's Sonoran desert), I spent three years practicing bronze casting in an outdoor foundry, becoming a Bronze Bell Artisan. I learned from a skilled group of artisans using an ancient sand-casting technique. The process involved creating two-part molds, carefully impressing abstract geometric designs into sand and utilizing specialized tools. I gained hands-on experience throughout the entire process—from preparing sand molds, melting bronze, and pouring it with precision, to grinding, polishing, and applying patina. With the guidance of my artisan mentors, I also explored my own designs, creating unique pieces like harmonic plate bells, bronze pyramids, and tiny bronze hand sculptures.