The Process

Creating a life-sized sculpture is a multi-step process. First, I created the maquette model. A 3-D scan of the model was sent to the enlarging facility, which created the plastic foam core. I then applied clay, sculptured the entire figure and refined the details with great care. I paid meticulous care to the anatomy and then added the clothing.

The life-sized clay sculpture was then transported to the foundry where the molds were made. From the molds a wax sculpture was cast. The wax was then reworked and refined. The wax sculpture was then dipped in a silica gel until a layered silica mold was built up. At this point the Sculpture was in six pieces: head, two arms, torso and two legs.

Once the silica molds had cured the wax was melted out. This is why this method is called the lost wax technique. This is an ancient processes dating back to the Bronze Age.
The silica molds were then ready for the bronze.

Bronze, heated in the furnace of the foundry until it is glowing orange molten liquid, is poured into the silica molds that can withstand the intense heat. Once the bronze cools to hard metal, the silica is chipped off, and the bronze pieces of the figure are smoothed. The bronze pieces are then welded together.

The entire bronze figure is now finished and ready for installation.
This was accomplished thanks to Tim Kilduff, who had the vision, to the 26.2 Foundation that spearheaded this project and the Boston Athletic Association, which embraced this project, and to our many wonderful donors, contributors, sponsors, supporters leaders and volunteers, and all the amazing people who worked on this and without whom this project could not have succeeded.

In Conclusion

On October 5, 2021, the completed bronze sculpture was unveiled and dedicated at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts

A huge Thank You and much appreciation to all the wonderful people who made this possible!!!

Thank you all so much for your generous support and encouragement for this exciting project!