MONMOUTH, Ill. — Nationally-known sculptor Preston Jackson was on the Monmouth College campus last week to present a two-day workshop to nine art students.

Titled “Pattern Making for Foundry,” the workshop explored direct methods of sculpture-making using preformed, inflated shapes. Students created shapes using balloons modified with tape, string and textural elements. Plaster molds were taken from the balloon shapes, and waxes were then pulled from the molds. Methods of direct wax fabrication and press molds were also presented.

Jackson is a professor of sculpture and head of the Figurative Area at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. He also owns The Raven Gallery, which is the home of the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria. From 1972 to 1989, Jackson was a professor of sculpture, painting and drawing at Western Illinois University, and he has also taught at Millikin University.

“This truly was a great opportunity for us to have such a widely recognized and accomplished artist/teacher here for two days,” said assistant professor Stacy Lotz, chair of MC’s art department. “The students were able to gain insight about a sculptural process that we don’t commonly use in our studio. Most importantly, they were able to experience the ‘story’ of an artist who has had a successful teaching career and who has become nationally recognized for his own work. Preston openly shared his philosophies about the art world, art making, the benefits of learning and making art in a small school like ours, and success.”

Participating were Alison Andrews, Nora Carleson, Kassi Heald-Schmelzer, Lizzie McIntyre, Aubreigh Moon, J.P. Reed, Megan Robison, Danica Rogers and Connor Shields.

“The workshop was a great experience that I am honored and fortunate to have been a part of,” said Moon, a junior from Galena. “I got ideas for my own artwork and was inspired by the possibilities of what I might be able to someday accomplish as an artist.”