Founding Patron Sculpture
Building a foundation for the future of our Arts School
At the heart of this fundraiser is the creation of a hand-cast, lost wax, bronze, sculptural collage, composed of 100 bricks. Each represents a $1,000 contribution, with the fundraising goal of $100,000. On every brick is engraved the donor’s name along with an optional short inscription of the donor's choosing. Upon reaching our financial goal, the initiative will culminate with the first in house bronze casting in years. The completed sculptures will show a physical archive, permanently embedded within the work itself.
Annually, as we cast additional collages, it will form an expanding Founding Patron Sculpture showing your support in sustaining this space. Proudly installed in a public location, at the metals studio, as an ever growing commemoration of gratitude and building our history. Donors will be invited to attend casting days, celebrating their contribution and the return of bronze casting as an active and visible part of our continued studio practice.
By supporting this initiative, you are helping lay the groundwork for a school that can grow, adapt, and serve its community for years to come. This is about more than maintaining a space, it is about sustaining a lineage of making, teaching, and shared learning that has helped shape Nelson’s identity as a centre for craft. This studio has profoundly changed our lives, our sense of self, and finding our voices as artists. Join us in igniting passions, and helping others to discover this medium.
Nearside Arts Society is a non-profit organization operating within the 606 Arts Space, taking on the continuation of the Metals Department by providing workshops and educational programming. We understand the importance of building a strong foundation as we carry forward and expand the legacy of KSA. This transition presents a rare opportunity to strengthen our local arts ecosystem and direct its future toward greater accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability. We envision a working studio where future generations can continue to learn, practice, and grow through hands-on engagement with craft.
Spaces dedicated to hands-on craft education are becoming increasingly rare, even as the need for accessible, community-driven learning environments continues to grow. We believe this work deserves continuity. By establishing a strong foundation now, we can ensure that future students, artists, and community members continue to have access to the tools, skills, and shared learning environments that make this kind of practice possible.
By supporting this initiative, you are helping lay the groundwork for a studio that can grow, adapt, and serve its community for years to come. This is about more than maintaining a space; it is about sustaining a lineage of making, teaching, and shared learning that has shaped Nelson’s identity as a centre for craft.
Your patronage is integral through this transition and stabilization period. We are deeply grateful for the continued support of our community, and for the opportunity to build this next chapter together, brick by brick.
A rare opportunity to become part of the living foundation of the Metals Studio. Cast in bronze, each brick is permanently engraved with your name and an optional inscription, holding your mark within its surface for generations.
We welcome any further conversation or questions you may have and would be happy to share the details of this exciting new chapter for Blacksmithing, Metal arts and this community driven educational program with you.