Custom Metal Fabrication

Custom Metal Fabrication for Artists, Businesses & Special Projects

Kalispell Art Foundry offers custom fabrication services for artists, sculptors, businesses, organizations, contractors, and individuals who need unique metalwork or assistance bringing a custom project to life.

From a simple welded component to the fabrication and assembly of a large-scale sculpture or one-of-a-kind project, our experienced team can provide the equipment, workspace, and skilled craftsmanship needed to turn an idea into a finished piece.

Fabrication services are available on either a project bid or hourly-rate basis, giving our customers flexibility depending on the size, complexity, and requirements of the work.

Sculpture Fabrication

Our background in fine-art bronze casting gives us a unique understanding of the structural and artistic requirements involved in sculpture fabrication.

We can assist artists with internal armatures, structural frameworks, bases, mounting systems, welded assemblies, support structures, and custom components for sculptures ranging from small studio works to large public and monumental installations.

For larger projects, fabrication can be coordinated with our other foundry services so that casting, welding, metal chasing, assembly, finishing, and patina all work together as part of a single production process.

Custom Metalwork

Not every fabrication project needs to be a bronze sculpture. Our shop can take on a variety of custom metal fabrication projects, particularly when a project requires creativity, problem-solving, or one-of-a-kind construction.

Depending on the project, our fabrication work may include cutting, welding, grinding, fitting, forming, structural reinforcement, assembly, mounting systems, brackets, frames, bases, pedestals, and custom metal components.

We welcome unusual projects. If you have something that does not fit neatly into a standard fabrication category, bring us your idea and we can determine how we may be able to help.

Fabrication for Artists

Artists often need fabrication assistance without wanting to turn over the entire project. We are happy to work collaboratively.

An artist may bring us a drawing, maquette, sculpture, digital model, photograph, template, or partially completed project, and our fabrication team can assist with the portions that require specialized equipment, welding, structural work, or additional shop capabilities.

We can fabricate an entire project or simply complete a specific portion of the work.

This makes our fabrication services useful for artists who want to remain directly involved in creating their work while having access to the capabilities of a professional foundry and fabrication shop.

Large & Monumental Sculpture

Large-scale artwork presents challenges that go well beyond simply making a sculpture bigger. Structure, weight, transportation, assembly, mounting, installation, and long-term durability all need to be considered.

Our team can help fabricate the structural components necessary to support large and monumental works while coordinating those components with the sculpture itself.

Projects can be designed and fabricated in sections when necessary to make handling, transportation, final assembly, and installation more practical.

Bronze Fabrication & Assembly

Large bronze sculptures are commonly cast in multiple sections and then brought together through welding and fabrication.

Our team can fit, weld, assemble, reinforce, and finish bronze components, transforming individual castings into a completed sculpture. Welds and seams can then be chased and blended into the surrounding sculptural surface before the piece moves on to patina and final finishing.

Because these processes are performed within the foundry, fabrication can be coordinated directly with our casting, metal chasing, patina, and finishing departments.

Bases, Armatures & Mounting Systems

A successful sculpture often depends on what cannot be seen.

We can fabricate steel armatures, internal support structures, mounting plates, bases, brackets, attachment points, and other structural components required to support and display artwork.

For permanent and public installations, we can also work with project specifications and coordinate fabrication requirements with the artist, contractor, engineer, or installation team as appropriate.

From Concept to Fabrication

You do not necessarily need finished fabrication drawings before contacting us.

Bring us your sketches, photographs, measurements, architectural drawings, digital files, sculpture, maquette, or simply your idea. We can review the project with you and determine the fabrication approach that makes the most sense.

Our combination of traditional craftsmanship, welding and metalworking, bronze casting, 3D scanning, digital modeling, 3D printing, and sculpture experience gives us the ability to approach unusual projects from both an artistic and practical perspective.

Project Bid or Hourly Fabrication

Every fabrication project is different, so we offer two ways to work with our shop.

For projects with a clearly defined scope, we can provide a custom project bid based on the drawings, materials, labor, size, complexity, and finishing requirements.

For projects that are evolving, experimental, difficult to estimate in advance, or where the customer simply needs assistance from our fabrication team, work can be performed at an hourly shop rate plus applicable materials and outside services.

This flexibility allows us to accommodate everything from a few hours of specialized fabrication work to complex, long-term projects.

More Than a Fabrication Shop

What makes fabrication at Kalispell Art Foundry different is our connection to the entire creative process.

We understand that an artistic project is not simply a collection of welded pieces—it is an artist's vision. Our goal is to solve the structural and fabrication challenges while respecting the form, detail, proportions, and intent of the original artwork.

Whether you need a single custom component, assistance completing your own project, or fabrication for a large-scale sculpture, Kalispell Art Foundry can work with you from concept through completion.

Have a Project in Mind?

Bring us your drawings, dimensions, photographs, digital files, sculpture, or simply your idea. We'll review the project with you and determine whether a fixed project bid or hourly fabrication is the best approach for getting it built.