Brooklyn Museum Workshop: Solid Gold Foil

One-day workshop hosted in partnership with the Brooklyn Museum.

taught by erin S. Daily and Brian weissman

One-Day workshop

In this 4 hour workshop, explore the physical properties of gold, the most malleable metal. Students will learn a technique that allows very thin gold foil to be pressure welded to sheet metal using low heat and steel or agate burnishers. This decorative technique can be seen the world over.

Using pure gold foil, students will create a wearable pendant in sterling silver with gold accents. Participants will be working with small squares and rectangles of gold to develop individual patterns that will be permanently bonded to the surface for a lasting effect. Embossed and stamped surface textures will also be used. These processes will include torchwork and hammering as well as cutting and filing operations in addition to plier work. 

In conjunction with the Brooklyn Museum, students will receive a complimentary ticket to the special exhibition Solid Gold to visit at their leisure, prior to June 14th, and learn about the element’s symbolism throughout history. Participants should take note of artists such as Agnes Martin, Titus Kaphar, and Gordon Hart who among others build up surface patterns using gold leaf. Our class objective is to create a wearable pendant using similar techniques in gold foil and sheet silver. 

This workshop will use 24K Fairmined gold foil. Fairmined is an assurance label that certifies gold from empowered responsible artisanal and small-scale mining organizations who meet world leading standards for responsible practices. 

Following registration, students’ confirmation emails will include directions on how to redeem their complimentary admission to Solid Gold at the Brooklyn Museum.

Refunds & Credit

Please email us at info@bkmetalworks.com to withdraw from class. Withdrawals from class more than 7 days prior to the start of the class will receive a full refund for the class minus a 10% processing fee. If cancellation occurs 3-6 days prior to the class, we will provide a 50% refund. Cancellations 48 hours or less receive a 25% refund. Refunds will not be provided for no-shows or same-day cancellations.

We do not refund tuition for classes that students miss due to their own circumstances. There will be no refunds once the class begins in any circumstance, nor can we transfer you to a later semester. Students enrolled in multi-session studio courses (excluding workshops and intensives) may make-up missed class sessions during open studio hours for up to two weeks after the last class meeting.

We reserve the right to cancel or discontinue any class, in which case you may choose to receive a refund, apply the class credit towards a different course, or receive a tuition credit for future use. Tuition credits are valid for up to one year. Refunds will be issued within 30 days.