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What if we told you that within our city lives the beating heart of the art of sculpting? The roots of some of the most recognizable works of art –from the Alice In Wonderland sculpture in Central Park to the Fiorello LaGuardia statue in LaGuardia Place – are actually hidden in plain sight in the Modern Art Foundry, housed inside the former carriage house of the famous Steinway Mansion. This Friday, join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of this fascinating mecca for sculptors, where artistic visions become realized in metal by a passionate team of craftsmen. The tour will be led by third generation owner, Jeffrey Spring. See more photos below. 

Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Modern Art Foundry

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

  • The tour will include a bronze metal pouring
  • Learn about the whole process of artistic fabrication—starting from when an artist comes up with a vision to when the final product is realized.
  • You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at artists working on projects inside the foundry.

DETAILS:
Price: $35
What to wear: 
Bring closed-toe-shoes as it is a working factory area.
What to know: The tour is 1.5 hours long. Be mindful of the people working on-site and the surrounding environment (hazardous materials might be nearby). See directions here. Note: There is a 20-minute walk from the subway.

ABOUT YOUR TOUR GUIDE: Jeffrey Spring often begin tours of Modern Art Foundry by simply stating that his grandfather John Spring started the company over seventy years ago, in 1932. His father Bob Spring has been the president since the early 1970’s following over twenty-five years of service in all foundry departments. Spring and his sister Mary Jo represent the third generation of family owners and it is their intention to bring their history, services, and traditional craftsmanship into the 21st century. They remain the “Artist’s Foundry”, offering artists and communities the opportunity to complete their work under one roof.

Steinway Mansion Carriagehouse - Now The Modern Art FoundrySteinway Mansion Carriage House in Astoria, Queens, now The Modern Art Foundry

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Artwork by student sculptors await the next step in their journey from concept to finished artwork.

Jeffrey Spring of The Modern Art Foundry explains the processes that go on in the foundry

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Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Modern Art Foundry

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