Welcome to Sculpture

History

The Newcomb Sculpture Foundry was initiated in the late 1950's by Jules Struppeck, who authored one of the first sculpture textbooks illustrating bronze casting. During the 60's this foundry was one of the pioneers of the university foundry experience. Tulane's participation in The National Bronze Conference, ultimately gave birth to the present International Sculpture Conference. Currently the Newcomb Sculpture tradition is carried on, as a pioneer in the current organization of national and international iron conferences. The Southern Iron Conference, and the International Iron Conference create a forum for students to meet other sculptors on an annual basis. Simple, low technology, inexpensive foundry practice is of the utmost importance for the survival of sculptors who need to cast. Our foundry symbol of a salamander in flames was adopted as a logo/mascot. It's origins are Celtic, and believed to be a symbol for eternity.

Today's metal facility is housed in the old Newcomb Swimming Pool. This building dates from the early 1920's, and was the first indoor swimming pool built in New Orleans. Sculpture professor, Barry Bailey, re-designed its use as a metal shop and exhibition space. The deep end of the pool is utilized for underground storage, and covered with deck-plate, and a 2- ton bridge crane. The room is cleared and cleaned annually for the Newcomb Foundry Show; a show of Tulane/Newcomb Sculpture Alumni and Faculty. It expresses the mission of our sculpture program, as a soulful family of sculptors; expressing ideas through a myriad of materials, in order to discover one's own personal language.