The Team
Artist Team
Artist Team
Professional Artist 32 Years
BA Finance – Gonzaga University
11 Monuments sold
Professional Artist 48 Years
Wildlife Painter & Sculptor
750 Sculptures, 8 Monuments Sold
Additional Sculptors, hired based on need
These two foundries stand alone in their ability to execute large-scale sculptures at the highest level of American craftsmanship. Their unparalleled expertise and dedication to quality make them the only viable choices for a project of this magnitude and timeline.
I will provide guidance on the unique advantages each foundry offers, but ultimately, the final decision rests with the Bills. Their chosen foundry will play a pivotal role in bringing this monumental project to fruition.
UAP (formerly Urban Art Projects) is an international art foundry and design studio that specializes in the creation of large-scale public artworks and architectural commissions. Founded in Brisbane, Australia, the company has expanded to include studios in Shanghai and New York. UAP is known for its collaborations with renowned artists and architects, creating iconic works like the Oscars statuettes and Idris Khan’s Wahat Al Karama memorial in Abu Dhabi. The company’s technicians and craftspeople utilize a variety of materials, including bronze, stainless steel, and aluminum, to cast intricate and monumental pieces. UAP’s services extend beyond fabrication, encompassing every stage of the design process, from conception to installation. The company is committed to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and technical innovation in the realm of public art.
UAP (formerly Urban Art Projects), now encompassing the legacy of Tallix Foundry, has partnered with a diverse array of renowned artists, including:
Ai Weiwei: Chinese artist and activist known for his politically charged works.
KAWS: American artist and designer famous for his pop art and toy designs.
Anish Kapoor: British-Indian sculptor celebrated for iconic works like Cloud Gate in Chicago.
Jeff Koons: American artist known for his large-scale sculptures and installations.
Louise Bourgeois: French-American artist celebrated for sculptures exploring the subconscious.
This collaborative legacy showcases UAP’s commitment to realizing the artistic visions of some of the most influential figures in the contemporary art world.
Walla Walla Foundry is located in the heart of Washington’s wine country, Walla Walla Foundry has earned a reputation as one of the premier art foundries in the United States. Founded in 1980, they specialize in the fabrication of large-scale sculptures and installations for renowned artists worldwide.
Expertise and Craftsmanship: Walla Walla Foundry boasts a team of highly skilled artisans and technicians with extensive experience in various casting techniques, metal fabrication, and patination.
State-of-the-Art Facilities: Their expansive facility houses cutting-edge equipment and technology, enabling them to tackle complex projects with precision and efficiency.
Collaborative Approach: The foundry fosters a collaborative environment where artists work closely with foundry staff throughout the fabrication process, ensuring their artistic vision is realized.
Commitment to Quality: Walla Walla Foundry is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of quality in every project they undertake.
Environmental Responsibility: The foundry is committed to sustainable practices, using recycled materials whenever possible and minimizing their environmental impact.
Walla Walla Foundry has collaborated with a diverse roster of world-renowned artists, including:
Deborah Butterfield: Known for her iconic horse sculptures.
Jim Dine: Renowned for his vibrant paintings and sculptures.
Mark di Suvero: Celebrated for his large-scale abstract sculptures.
Robert Indiana: Famous for his LOVE sculpture.
Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen: Recognized for their playful pop art sculptures.
Kiki Smith: Acclaimed for her figurative sculptures and installations.
This list is just a glimpse into the many talented artists who have chosen Walla Walla Foundry to bring their creative visions to life. The foundry’s unwavering commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and collaboration has solidified its position as a leader in the art world.
Unmatched Scale & Security: These are two of the largest and most reputable foundries in the US, offering unparalleled reliability and investment security. Your project is in the hands of industry leaders with the resources and experience to deliver exceptional results.
End-to-End Expertise: Unlike a traditional workflow where artists might outsource various stages to different specialists, these two facilities boast comprehensive in-house capabilities. This streamlines your project, ensures seamless communication, and maintains strict quality control from concept to installation.
Tailored Solutions: These foundries understand that every project is unique. Their teams of skilled artisans and technicians collaborate closely with artists to provide customized solutions that meet the specific needs of each sculpture, ensuring your vision is realized to perfection.
Comprehensive In-House Services:
Investment casting, also known as lost-wax casting, is a manufacturing process used to create complex and intricate metal parts with high precision and excellent surface finish.
Intricate Detail, Complexity, and Unmatched Quality: Investment casting allows artists to create sculptures and art pieces with incredibly intricate details and complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with other casting methods. No other process even comes close to the quality of investment casting and it is essential to capture fine details – details that create connection and relationship with the fans. This enables artists to express their artistic vision without limitations and push the boundaries of creativity.
High-Quality Surface Finish: Investment casting produces art pieces with a smooth, high-quality surface finish that often requires minimal or no additional finishing work. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the artwork but also reduces the time and cost involved in post-casting processes.
Unmatched Scale & Security: These are two of the largest and most reputable foundries in the US, offering unparalleled reliability and investment security. Your project is in the hands of industry leaders with the resources and experience to deliver exceptional results.
End-to-End Expertise: Unlike a traditional workflow where artists might outsource various stages to different specialists, these two facilities boast comprehensive in-house capabilities. This streamlines your project, ensures seamless communication, and maintains strict quality control from concept to installation.
Tailored Solutions: These foundries understand that every project is unique. Their teams of skilled artisans and technicians collaborate closely with artists to provide customized solutions that meet the specific needs of each sculpture, ensuring your vision is realized to perfection.
Comprehensive In-House Services:
While both foundries demonstrate impressive capabilities, a thorough evaluation leads me to believe that Walla Walla Foundry is the optimal choice for this project. My decision is based on several key factors:
Competitive Bid and Transparent Bidding Process: Walla Walla Foundry not only offered a more competitive bid but also demonstrated a willingness to navigate the uncertainties inherent in the bidding process with greater transparency and concrete solutions compared to UAP. My direct interactions with Walla Walla instilled confidence in their ability to manage the project effectively.
Proven Quality and Craftsmanship: My personal visit to Walla Walla Foundry and inspection of their ongoing work, including a challengin 30-foot tall piece for Takashi Murakami, solidified my confidence in their exceptional craftsmanship and ability to tackle challenging projects. While my past experience with UAP (formerly Tallix) was positive, I sense the company has become more corporate, potentially impacting their flexibility, communication, and commitment to quality control.
Realistic and Domestic Production Timeline: Walla Walla Foundry’s confidence in completing the project within 8-12 months of receiving the master aligns with our desired timeline. UAP’s 12-15 month estimate, with the possibility of faster completion only through overseas production, introduces unnecessary risks and compromises the “Made in America” integrity of the sculpture.
Conclusion:
Walla Walla Foundry’s combination of competitive pricing, proven craftsmanship, transparent communication, and dedication to domestic production makes them the ideal partner to realize the vision of this monumental bison sculpture. Their commitment to quality, collaboration, and timely delivery aligns perfectly with the project’s goals and values.
Investment casting, also known as lost-wax casting, is a manufacturing process used to create complex and intricate metal parts with high precision and excellent surface finish.
Intricate Detail, Complexity, and Unmatched Quality: Investment casting allows artists to create sculptures and art pieces with incredibly intricate details and complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with other casting methods. No other process even comes close to the quality of investment casting and it is essential to capture fine details – details that create connection and relationship with the fans. This enables artists to express their artistic vision without limitations and push the boundaries of creativity.
High-Quality Surface Finish: Investment casting produces art pieces with a smooth, high-quality surface finish that often requires minimal or no additional finishing work. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the artwork but also reduces the time and cost involved in post-casting processes.
3d Systems
3D Systems is a leading provider of 3D printing solutions, offering a wide range of products and services for various industries, including healthcare, aerospace, automotive, and consumer goods. They are considered pioneers in the field of 3D printing, having been founded in 1986.
3D Systems offers a diverse portfolio of 3D printers, materials, software, and on-demand manufacturing services. Their technology enables the creation of prototypes, functional parts, and even end-use products through additive manufacturing processes.
Walker Industries
Walker Industries, LLC is an advanced manufacturing company with in-house capabilities from design, inspection, reverse engineering, machining, and composite part production. Specializing in large 5-axis gantry and 8 axis robotic machining as well as composite part production the company offers a “one stop shop” for design, development, and manufacturing of composite and metallic tooling and parts. Extensive design and manufacturing knowledge coupled with state of the art equipment and software position Walker Industries as a leader in the industry.
Capture 3D
Capture 3D is a company that specializes in 3D measurement and inspection solutions. They offer a comprehensive range of products and services, including 3D scanners, coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), laser trackers, and software for data analysis and reporting. Their solutions cater to various industries, including aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, and energy.
