Description
Design and create original three-dimensional artworks by carving, modeling, casting, or assembling materials such as clay, stone, wood, metal, and mixed media for exhibitions, commissions, or public spaces.
- • Prepare armatures, internal supports, and bases appropriate to scale and material.
- • Use materials such as clay, stone, wood, metal, plaster, resin, foam, or digital tools to design and create sculptures.
- • Integrate form, mass, space, texture, balance, and perspective to convey ideas, emotions, or narratives in three dimensions.
- • Confer with clients, curators, architects, public art committees, and art directors on project scope, site, and intent.
- • Present concept sketches, maquettes, CAD models, or renderings for approval and revise per feedback.
- • Maintain a portfolio and documentation of sculptural work, processes, and exhibitions.
- • Produce finished sculptures for exhibitions, public art, commissions, or functional installations.
- • Cut, carve, weld, bend, laminate, cast, and assemble raw and manufactured materials to fabricate artworks.
- • Research sites, themes, and materials; track trends and attend exhibitions to generate concepts and stay current.
- • Learn and refine sculptural techniques such as modeling, casting, carving, fabrication, and digital fabrication.
- • Create technical drawings, templates, and 3D models from references, measurements, or blueprints.
- • Sculpt likenesses or figures from live models, photographs, or scans using clay, wax, or digital sculpting software.
- • Shape and finish materials with hand and power tools, abrasives, and shop equipment to achieve desired forms.
- • Develop project budgets, schedules, and material lists; estimate labor and fabrication costs for approval.
- • Apply patinas, stains, paints, or protective coatings; finish surfaces through sanding, polishing, or texturing.
- • Collaborate with engineers, fabricators, riggers, and other specialists to ensure structural integrity and safe installation.
- • Build molds and castings using plaster, silicone, resin, concrete, or metal as required.
- • Perform conservation, cleaning, and minor repairs on new and existing sculptures.
- • Produce studio safety plans; operate and maintain tools, equipment, and ventilation per safety standards.
- • Market work through websites, social media, proposals, and outreach; manage sales and commissions.
- • Photograph works and sites for reference, documentation, and promotion.
- • Plan and install exhibitions; design pedestals, mounts, and lighting; coordinate transport and crating.
- • Submit proposals and artworks to galleries, juried shows, residencies, and public art programs.
- • Teach sculptural techniques in workshops or classes for youth and adults.
- • Keep inventory of materials and supplies; order and track deliveries.
- • Maintain studio organization and records, including contracts, permits, and maintenance guides.
Related specializations
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
