Pipe organ at the Goodson Chapel, Duke University Divinity School by Richards Fowkes & Co

From sculpture to crafts, and everything in between, we are always eager to learn about the many ways in which our customers are using our molding and casting products. Hand-built pipe organ company, Richards Fowkes & Company used several of our products to fabricate the finials for their most recent pipe organ commission for the Goodson Chapel at Duke University Divinity School in North Carolina.

Founded in 1988 in Ooltewah, Tennessee, Richards Fowkes & Company has been hand-building incredible pipe organs for churches and universities around the country. Founders Bruce Fowkes and Ralph Richards have brought together a group of talented American and European craftsmen to build these ambitious organs in the traditional manner and methods of historic northern European instruments.

Although all of the casework is hand built and hand carved from wood, the over 60 ornate carved finials that embellish the casework are made from Townsend Casting Resin. First, several master prototype finials were hand carved from oak. Then, Knead-a-Mold (the light blue material shown) was applied onto the carved finials so that an exact replica could be made. Because Knead-a-Mold picks up very minute detail, the texture and grain of the wood was captured beautifully in the mold. Once the mold was made, Townsend Casting Resin was poured into the mold and allowed to cure. The resin cured to a bright white color and was then post finished with a variety of dyes and paints that matched the natural golden brown color of the oak.

Some of the completed cast resin finials incorporated onto oak framework.

The finished pipe organ is 27′ tall, has 30 stops, and approximately 1700 pipes. The largest pipe is 16′ tall and the smallest is 1 1/2″ long and the diameter of a soda straw.

To learn more about Richards Fowkes & Co and to see more of their work, visit www.richardsfowkes.com
To see Townsend Atelier products, click here

Sculptor Judith Britain was one of only seven artists selected to create a one-of-a-kind work of art for the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each artist was given a violin to incorporate into their final artwork. The works were then auctioned off at the annual gala benefitting the Symphony and Opera.

Britain used several Townsend Atelier products. To make the hands that support the violin, Britain used Brush-a-Mold to make a mold from her own hands. She then poured Townsend Casting Resin into the cured molds and painted the resin hands with acrylic paint.

As for the inspiration for her piece, Britain says, “Think of about the last movement of some of Beethoven’s symphonies–when the violins are playing away furiously. In my mind’s eye, I see them exploding with the music from the inside in a Crescendo.”

“Crescendo” by Judith Britain 32″ H, violin, mylar, wood, acrylic paste, resin.

To view more of Britain’s work, visit www.judybritain.com
To view a complete catalogue of all Townsend Atelier molding, casting + patina products, CLICK HERE

Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, John Petrey uses a wide variety of materials in his well-crafted, whimsical, and sometimes symbolic work.

For his Dress Series, Petrey uses Townsend Casting Resin for the torso forms. To achieve the rich green patinas on the copper torsos, he uses Traditional Green Patinas.

Dress Series: resin, wood, copper, mixed media. The piece on the left is 27″ high. The piece on the right is 58″ high.

Part of a Series of Five Dresses commissioned by The Baylor Womens’ Hospital, Fort Worth, TX
Mixed media, resin, & copper. 60″w x 44″h x 1′d

To view more of John Petrey’s work, visit www.johnpetrey.com