Stonybrook Fine Arts in Jamaica Plain, MA | Sculpture

Stonybrook Fine Arts

Take an extensive course in the ancient process of bronze casting and make your own original art. Have you always wanted to learn how to weld? We offer classes in all levels. We also offer services in art casting, unique furniture and lighting, custom steel fabrications and of course a great crew of instructors.
Stonybrook Fine Arts offers all levels of classes in welding, bronze casting, moldmaking, small metal casting, ceramics and figure sculpture.
In addition to our regular classes, we also offer special workshops and intensives with our current teachers and other visiting artists.
Morris Norvin
Owner and Artist
Morris Norvin began studying art at the age of 8 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. At age 12, Morris began taking figure sculpture classes with Ralph Rosenthal at the Museum of Fine Arts. He continued throughout high school and then went on to graduate from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Today he teaches the very same sculpture classes he took from Ralph as a child.
Morris has worked with a diverse range of materials including metal, wax, clay, wood, plasticine, paper, glass and polymers. His preferred method is welded steel incorporating found, functional objects which he terms"Junk Art." He takes pride in using the objects as he finds them with little if any manipulation. Each piece will someday be the perfect part of a particular sculpture. A planing tool might become a high heel or a gear chain could end up being a tail. Each piece has a specific purpose different from its original function. His work is mainly figurative and somewhat anatomical.
Benjamin Todd
Benjamin Todd is a functional artist influenced by the Bauhus and the modernist architectual movement. A graduate of MassArt with experience in jewelry techniques, welding, and glassblowing.
Our classes typically run in ten week cycles for three hours per session. During the summers we continuously offer one and two week Teen intensive classes from 9am – 4pm. Both Teen and Adult students take advantage of our unique relationship with the Museum of Fine Arts and receive access to a majority of the collection through our virtual gallery or by visiting the MFA itself.
Live Figure Modeling
Sculpt the figure using a live model! All levels of students are welcome. Armatures and clay are provided as you reproduce a 24” figure. Students learn proportion, anatomy, volume and gesture. More advanced students can take one of our Advanced Modeling classes where we explore techniques in rendering clothing on the figure in clay. Or take a class in The Bust and learn the intricacies of sculpting the head.
Mold-Making
Learn how to cast your art! Discover the fun you can have with mold-making. Make molds of several objects and combine them. Or make your own original art in clay, wax or plaster and learn how to turn it into a mold. Take this class in preparation for a foundry class and then create your pieces in bronze.
Foundry
Discover how to create art using the ancient process of metal casting with a modern twist. In this class, you learn to produce ceramic shell molds and also get to pour your own molten bronze! Our experienced instructors not only teach you all the technical aspects, but you also receive instruction on the aesthetics of various finishing techniques.
Welding
Beginners or more experienced welding students are welcome in our small, intimate classes. Our accomplished instructors teach many types of welding and cutting, offering the beginner a good basis from which to grow. The more advanced welding student has the opportunity to fine tune their skills and work on more complicated projects. Students learn how to operate gas torches, arc or “stick” welding, MIG and TIG, as well as using a plasma cutter. Check out our popular Ladies Only Welding!
Ceramics
Experience the joy of clay! Work in terracotta, stoneware and porcelain. Explore various hand-bulding techniques. Work with slabs, coils or simply carve a shape. Once your piece has been fired in a kiln, it can be glazed in a variety of colors. Your imagination is your only limitation.
Jewelry
We offer many levels of instruction beginning with the simple cutting of shapes, joining metal, making chain and ultimately casting rings and setting stones. Each of our instructors creates their own unique jewelry. Check out our specialty workshops! For the more advanced students, we have bench time available.
Stone Carving
Work in the ancient art of stone carving using alabaster. Learn how to see a sculpture in the stone and how to make it come alive. Hand tools such as chisels, files and hammers are used.