Henry Moore Studios & Gardens reopens on 1 April with two brand new exhibitions. Buy an annual ticket.

See & Do

Live material demonstration

Sculpture Series: Bronze Finishing & Patination

Saturday 12 September 2026

15:00–16:30

Learning Studios, Sheep Field Barn

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire

Included in an annual ticket

A colour photo of a older man leaning on a five-bar gate. Behind him is a large sculpture made of bronze.

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About this event

Ever wondered how sculptures are made? Watch the casting process in action at this practical demonstration.

Join us for new and exciting live sculpture demonstrations this season!

In this series, we will explore many of Moore’s sculptural processes and materials such as carving into plaster, wood and stone as well as bronze pouring and patination.

Carving demonstrations will be lead on-site by our Senior Sculptor Conservator. Coles Casting return to Perry Green this season to demonstrate metal working processes.

At the end of each of these demos, there will be time to ask questions and learn more about the sculpting processes, to gain a deeper understanding of the colossal operation Moore undertook making thousands of sculptures during his career.

You’ll also be able to touch and hold examples of the materials you have been watching.

About Coles Casting

Coles Castings is a foundry in North Dorset specialising in bespoke iron, bronze and aluminium casting for art, design and heritage projects. They offer an extensive range of foundry processes including lost wax in ceramic shell, traditional sand moulding, silicon rubber mould making, metal finishing, and patination.

With a fine art background and decades of foundry experience, they are uniquely positioned to understand how creative process can work alongside the technical considerations necessary to produce works to a high standard.

colescastings.com

Tickets

Entry is included in an annual ticket. This event is drop-in, so there’s no need to book. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

If you already have an annual ticket, just come along on the day and bring your annual ticket with you.
If you don’t have an annual ticket, you can buy one online or from the ticket desk when you arrive.

An annual ticket lets you return to Studios & Gardens as often as you like, during open season, for 12 calendar months.

Buy an annual ticket

Safety & accessibility

These sessions will take place outdoors, so please pack hats, suncream and plenty of fluids for hot weather days.

Timings are subject to change due to the unpredictable nature of the weather.

These sessions will require long periods standing to watch the casting process in action. If you require seating, please let our Visitor Team know upon arrival.

You’ll be kept at a safe distance from any equipment during the demonstration. All children watching must be under adult supervision.

Get in touch

Still have some questions about what to expect at this session?

Get in touch with a friendly member of our learning and engagement team by filling out the form below.

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What’s on

Find out more about what you can see and do this season at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire.

See what’s on

The Art and Life of Henry Moore

A black and white photo showing an older man in shirt and tie working with a mallet and chisel to carve a sculpture from a large piece of wood.

The Art and Life of Henry Moore

This exhibition in the newly-opened Sheep Field Barn Gallery presents over eighty sculptures made between 1922 and 1986, alongside photographs and archival materials from the Henry Moore Foundation Collections.

Henry Moore: Shelter Drawings

A drawing of four adults and a small child huddled together under blankets. The figures are primarily drawn in white and yellow chalk, with some orange and red highlights, and are surrounded by darkness.

Henry Moore: Shelter Drawings

Our special display for 2026 focuses on Moore’s Shelter Drawings. Created during the Second World War, they are among the most powerful and widely recognised works of Moore’s career.