Home Insider Only On the job with: Vanguard Sculpture Services

On the job with: Vanguard Sculpture Services

The pour crew works to lift the 2,050-degree crucible. From left: Chris Andrews, Ed Sahagian-Allsopp and Michael Nolte.
The pour crew works to lift the 2,050-degree crucible. From left: Chris Andrews, Ed Sahagian-Allsopp and Michael Nolte.

Tucked away on the northern end of Milwaukee’s 30th Street Industrial Corridor is a group of artists with decades of bronze casting experience. In 1993, artists Beth Sahagian-Allsopp and Michael Nolte left Milwaukee’s Bronze Heart art foundry to start a foundry of their own. Three years later, the business partners opened Vanguard Sculpture Services, whose

Already a subscriber? Log in

To continue reading this article ...

Become a BizTimes Insider today and get immediate access to our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become an Insider

Tucked away on the northern end of Milwaukee’s 30th Street Industrial Corridor is a group of artists with decades of bronze casting experience.

In 1993, artists Beth Sahagian-Allsopp and Michael Nolte left Milwaukee’s Bronze Heart art foundry to start a foundry of their own. Three years later, the business partners opened Vanguard Sculpture Services, whose artists not only craft artwork of their own but can bring the work of others to life with bronze.

Communication is key for the Vanguard team. When a piece of artwork is removed from the kiln at approximately 1,800 degrees and is placed on the pour floor, the pour team has just eight minutes to cast the bronze into a ceramic mold before either the molten bronze or the artwork becomes too cool.

“It’s not only about being safe, but also about being super-efficient,” Sahagian-Allsopp said. “So, everybody has to be in top form when they are on the pour floor.”

[gallery columns="1" size="full" ids="515720,515721,515722,515723,515725"]

BIZEXPO | EARLY BIRD PRICING | REGISTER BY MAY 1ST AND SAVE

Stay up-to-date with our free email newsletter

Keep up with the issues, companies and people that matter most to business in the Milwaukee metro area.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy.

No, thank you.
Exit mobile version