There are sculpture gardens, and then there is the Shidoni Foundry and Galleries. This place is unique for several reasons. Unlike most sculpture gardens, its collection changes. Since this is a massive outdoor gallery, all the sculptures here are for sale and it’s one of the few places that caters to both working artists and to members of the public. But, what truly sets Shidoni apart is the opportunity to witness a bronze pour.
Facebook/Shidoni Foundry On Saturday afternoons, members of the public are allowed to observe this complicated process. It’s a fascinating blend of art and industry in which you literally watch the creation of the garden’s statues.
Facebook/Shidoni Foundry Liquid bronze, heated to temperatures of 1950 to 2100 degrees Fahrenheit, is poured into shells. A special team, protected by Kevlar suits, performs the process. The foundry pours approximately 10,000 pounds of molten bronze each month.
Flickr/awyatt Although admission to the sculpture garden is free, it costs $10 per person to attend a bronze pour. Definitely call ahead on Friday (505-988-8001) to check the pour schedule, so you’re not waiting around.
Facebook/Shidoni Foundry
Facebook/Shidoni Foundry Afterwards, you can wander through the working portion of the foundry on a self-guided tour, before venturing out into the eight-acre sculpture garden.
There you can marvel at sculptures like these:
Flickr/Dick Thompson
Flickr/larryncelia
Yelp/Rasy R. Even if you can’t visit on a Saturday, it’s worth exploring the artwork at Shidoni.
Flickr/Greg Wagoner
Yelp/Rachel P. It lies just north of Santa Fe, in Tesuque.
Flickr/Owen and Aki
Shidoni has been open since 1971. To learn more about this unique place or the complex process of bronze casting, click here.
Facebook/Shidoni Foundry
On Saturday afternoons, members of the public are allowed to observe this complicated process. It’s a fascinating blend of art and industry in which you literally watch the creation of the garden’s statues.
Liquid bronze, heated to temperatures of 1950 to 2100 degrees Fahrenheit, is poured into shells. A special team, protected by Kevlar suits, performs the process. The foundry pours approximately 10,000 pounds of molten bronze each month.
Flickr/awyatt
Although admission to the sculpture garden is free, it costs $10 per person to attend a bronze pour. Definitely call ahead on Friday (505-988-8001) to check the pour schedule, so you’re not waiting around.
Afterwards, you can wander through the working portion of the foundry on a self-guided tour, before venturing out into the eight-acre sculpture garden.
There you can marvel at sculptures like these:
Flickr/Dick Thompson
Flickr/larryncelia
Yelp/Rasy R.
Even if you can’t visit on a Saturday, it’s worth exploring the artwork at Shidoni.
Flickr/Greg Wagoner
Yelp/Rachel P.
It lies just north of Santa Fe, in Tesuque.
Flickr/Owen and Aki
Tip: If you’re attending a bronze pour, wear layers. Thankfully, you won’t experience the 140 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures endured by the pourers, but it still gets hot.
The Shidoni Foundry and Galleries are located at 1508 Bishops Lodge Rd, Tesuque, NM 87574.
Have you been to a bronze pour? How about the sculpture garden? What were your impressions?
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