Michael LeBlanc
As a community engaged cast metal artist, I am dedicated to showcasing icons of commonality in cast metal for the general public of all ages and disciplines to gather around. To continue to remind and advocate that we, as a collection of individual citizens, are indeed a connected community intertwined with one another on a fundamental level; I cast in metal objects like as a gallon of milk, chicken wings, and stuffed crust pizza. It could be slightly subversive or humorous to cast such common icons into a historically regal material like bronze to emphasize how ubiquitous those icons are. When participating and partnering with communities, I heavily research the local and regional cultures and collaborate with experts to utilize recognized forms to engage the public in multiple ways.
Artist Bio
Michael LeBlanc is the owner of Licorne Foundry LLC located in Bentonville, Arkansas. LeBlanc operates and travels with his mobile foundry teaching workshops, lectures, and giving demonstrations to the public about the process and history of cast metal arts. He has been practicing cast metal arts for over 15 years and has presented art and research nationally and internationally. In 2013, he was awarded the title of “Mold Master” at the National Conference of Contemporary Cast Iron Arts and Practices. In 2019, he was awarded the Sturgis Fellowship through the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas to study abroad at the Nagano Family Cast Iron Atelier in Saitama, Japan. In 2024, he received a Builder’s and Backer’s Grant and Arkansas Folk and Traditional Arts Grant to start his foundry based business. Since opening the foundry business, he grant writes for Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum in Solsberry, Indiana, sculpts for A.R.K. Ramos Foundry in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, does art handling and restoration for 21c Art Hotel in Bentonville Arkansas, and can find his art work at Boswell Mourot Fine Art Gallery in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Inquiries
For pricing and availability, contact Boswell Mourot Fine Art at boswellmourotfineart@gmail.com or by phone 501.454.6969.