shidoni foundry

Ever wonder why bronze sculptures are so expensive? Watch them pour one, and you'll understand more. For $5, you can watch skilled foundry workers pour melted bronze into molds, at 2000 degrees. It's fascinating to watch. This is well worth the short drive from Santa Fe.

A great place to visit and to bring out of town guests as I did to see a bronze pouring.The demo viewing area can get crowded in the busy season so arrive early to see process steps in various rooms and the pouring. The sculpture gallery at the foundry and sculpture gardens outside are lovely to visit. Note: there is a fee for the pouring but well worth it to see something so unique and learn about the process. - Recommend also visiting the Tesuque Glassworks next door also to see free glass blowing demonstrations.

Shidoni Foundry includes the bronze casting, the amazing sculpture garden, the huge indoor gallery and next door is the Tesuque Glassworks - more art in one place than in any other place I've visited. Don't miss a pour for only $5.00, fascinating to watch. On the first visit, I saw the outside sculptures and loved them! I also was able to watch glassblowing at the glassworks. On the second visit I watched a pour and spent time in the indoor gallery. From the outside the gallery looks small but it is huge with artworks of all kinds. I was happy to see several encaustic pieces. Finding the foundry and all that goes with it was a highlight of my trip.

This is where you will see, reasonable close up, the lost wax bronze casting process. It was very interesting to see how they actually make these things. There is a small pleasant indoor gallery and 2 very large outdoor galleries. This is off the beaten path but worth the drive. Call ahead for pour times.

We finished at Tesuque Glassworks just before the Shidoni Foundry was closing, so we were only able to view the sculpture garden outside. It was very interesting to see the variety of sculptures. Peaceful wandering. Some to ponder, some to recognize (like a frog), and all were well done. Very creative outdoor art. We will go back earlier in the day next time to see all they offer. Free parking. Next to Tesuque Glassworks. I've reviewed it also.

This was a great way to kill a couple of hours and answer some age old questions I'd had on the lost wax method used in bronze casting. There is a self guided tour that takes you through the process up to the actual bronze casting. At selected times of the day, castings are performed. It is quite the process and very interesting. Be sure to check out the Tesuque Glassworks located right next to it.

This is a great (free!) thing to do in Santa Fe. It is fun for the whole family. Highly recommended!

there are several different buildings here and a huge garden where the statues and sculptures are displayed. on the right side driving in there is also a glassworks, NOT to be missed!! the glass is incredible and unique. you can watch it being made and get tours to see step by step the process for creating their intricate designs.

I love art and knew Tommy Hicks, the founder of Shidoni, during my childhood. I took time to visit Shidoni, having little expectation of more than reconnecting with him. I was thrilled to discover a vibrant community of talented artists and to realize the Shidoni Foundry is significant in the small circle of internationally known foundries. According to a Shidoni Foundry History, the foundry now pours 9,600 pounds of bronze a month and has taken on such massive projects as 13 life-size racehorses sent to Kentucky, a ten-foot bronze bust of John Wesley Dobbs (installed in Atlanta for the 1996 Olympic Games), two ten-foot high heads of Jackie and Mack Robinson in Pasadena, California, and the thirty-four and half-foot long Chisholm Trail (a bas relief accompanied by six life-sized steer in Duncan, Oklahoma).Many artists who cast at Shidoni also exhibit in the gallery and the sculpture garden. The main gallery is located in the original foundry office and is the starting point for touring the foundry and grounds. It is well worth the admission fee for the self guided tour. With sufficient planning, visitors may watch them pour 2000 degree molten bronze into ceramic shell molds. Call ahead to make sure they are doing a pour (usually on Saturdays), and make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes early. They will pour the bronze when it reaches the correct temperature, so tour times aren't exact. Better to be early than late. If you are from Oklahoma, the bronze sculpture of Curtis Mewbourne that stands in front of OU’s Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy at Sarkeys Energy Center was cast by Shidoni Foundry, and is the work of OU sculptor-in-residence and noted artist Paul Moore. From the Santa Fe Plaza, follow Washington Street and Bishop's Lodge Road north. The foundry is on the left, about 5 miles north of the Plaza.Hours of operation: Bronze Gallery: Hours are 10:00 - 5:00 Monday thru SaturdayArts Gallery:Hours are 10:00 - 5:00 Tuesday thru SaturdayFoundry Business Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00 – 5:00Gardens: Daylight hours, Year-Round, Gates locked @ 5PM - Park Outside Gates

If you are not familiar with the process of casting bronze art, this is a fascinating visit. Located about 5 miles outside Santa Fe, the Shidoni Foundry has two large sculpture gardens with examples of their work. Three times a day (call ahead to confirm times), the public can watch the staff pouring molten bronze into molds. This was awesome! We learned a ton about bronze casting.

For those hoping to tour a working art foundry, be advised that it is only open limited hours each week. Inquire in advance as to what those are at the time. The pieces on display in the foundry were, for the most part, unimaginative. Those in the sculpture garden were, however, quite good.

Walking around the sculpture garden on a typically beautiful New Mexico day is a great experience. The art is fascinating, and just walking around is free. One of the best experiences in Santa Fe.

Had been to Shidoni, a working foundry, once before but enjoyed this visit even more. On a sunny day walking the outdoor sculpture gardens is wonderful & free - sculpture changes so a return visit is worth it. Picture taking is a must. Again was there on a Saturday (plan for it) & for a $5 fee got to see the pour. Was amazing! Would return again & again.

Great place to wander the yard and look at all of the interesting sculptures! Went years ago to the bronze pouring! What an interesting thing to witness! I get to see the horse head on Canyon that the porers were working on when we were there! Worth a trip out to Shidoni, then to Tesuque Market and maybe the Flea Market! Full day.....

Shidoni Foundry is a short distance North of Santa Fe. No visit to Santa Fe by Art Lovers is complete without seeing it .. And its Free.. It is a working foundry for Metal and particularly Bronze sculptures of all sizes. There are literally hundreds of sculptures to buy or just to see. The Metal Foundry Tour is particularly instructive but make sure of the schedule prior to the visit. There is also other artists at work at the same location working in Glass. The display changes, so if you haven't been there recently .. Go Again. There are portable toilets outside.. the ground may be rough for wheelchairs... but bring your camera.. You may get lucky and see a huge bronze being cast and/or finished..