ARTisAn Objective® Workshop MAS-05 – Casting Plaster Medallions & Enrichments

Casting Plaster Medallions & Enrichments

2 Days – 8:00am to 3:00pm

Among the most dramatic of ornamental plaster forms are ceiling medallions and enrichments. Typically, medallions related stylistically to the cornice ornament also found in the room and could be created with or without a plain-run surround. These decorative units were generally attached to the substrate using plaster as an adhesive. Damaged ceiling medallions can be repaired by carefully removing representative plaster ornamentation and molding, recasting the elements, and replacing the new enrichments to align perfectly with the original pattern. This workshop will introduce students to the basics of mold making and casting replicas. Hands-on demonstrations and practice exercises include design considerations and applications for new ornamental plaster work, creating negative-form molds, mixing and pouring plaster into a mold to form enrichments, and ensuring the cast surface is free of air pockets and blemishes. Participants are encouraged to bring an object (no larger than a fist) to create a mold and produce a cast. Prior masonry experience is helpful but not required.

After completing the workshop participants will:

• Understand the steps required to copy missing details and create new ceiling medallions or plaster enrichments.
• Be able to create a silicone rubber block mold and produce a plaster cast.
• Know-how and when to use sealers and release agents.
• Recognize how to remove the cast without causing damage.
• Be aware of the steps to assemble and install new ornamental plasterwork to existing substrates and surfaces.

The workshop will be held at the historic Millhafen Farm—the headquarters of Craftwork Training Center and LimeWorks.us—located at 3145 State Road, Telford, PA 18969. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required two weeks in advance with the balance due at the beginning of the workshop. All the necessary materials and tools will be supplied and a light lunch is provided for your convenience. The program will start promptly at 8:00 am. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the check-in process and come appropriately dressed and prepared for hands-on training. To ensure an exceptional learning experience, the class size is limited. However, a minimum of 3 participants is required to hold the workshop.