Over the weekend, MÍRAME visited Casa Fage Fine Art Foundry, located in the verdant hills near San José, Costa Rica, for a tour led by the Fage siblings. Gregory, Sarah, and Dustin Fage, the second generation of this renowned foundry, guided us through their family’s workshop, giving us a rare insight into the techniques, tools, and artistry behind some of Costa Rica’s most prominent bronze sculptures.

Founded over 30 years ago by Canadian sculptor Anthony M. Fage and his wife, Anabelle Hay, Casa Fage has grown into a focal point for Costa Rican and Latin American sculpture.

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Casa Fage: A Unique Presence in Costa Rica’s Art Scene

Sarah Fage presenting during the Casa Fage foundry tour.

For many, Costa Rica may not immediately come to mind as an important country for contemporary sculpture. However, Casa Fage has established itself as a rare institution that champions Costa Rican sculpture and offers a platform for regional artists. As the only foundry in the country dedicated to the lost wax technique, Casa Fage fills a distinct role, nurturing established and emerging artists while preserving traditional craftsmanship in the heart of Central America. Over the decades, it has become a cultural touchstone, celebrated not only for its technical expertise but also for its support of the country’s artistic community. In a region where such facilities are limited, Casa Fage stands out as a vital institution connecting Costa Rican artists with the world of bronze and resin sculpture.

The Lost Wax Technique

Sarah Fage explaining part of the lost wax technique.

A focus of our tour was the Fage siblings’ demonstration of the “lost wax” casting technique, a meticulous process that distinguishes Casa Fage as Costa Rica’s only foundry to employ this ancient method for creating bronze sculptures.

The lost wax technique involves sculpting a model in wax, which is then encased in ceramic material. Once the ceramic shell hardens, the wax is melted away, leaving a hollow mold into which molten bronze is poured. After cooling, the ceramic is broken away to reveal the final bronze piece. This approach allows for fine detail and complexity, making it a preferred method for artistic bronze casting worldwide.

Casa Fage's Lasting Artistic Legacy

Our visit highlighted the intimate connection between the Fage family and their work. Founded by Anthony Fage, who established Casa Fage in a converted stable on his property, the foundry has long been both a family project and an artistic institution. Since Anthony’s passing in 2018, his wife Anabelle and their children have carried forward his vision with dedication and creativity. Gregory, Sarah, and Dustin each bring a distinct voice and talent to Casa Fage.

Walking through the foundry with the Fage siblings, we saw how they have made Casa Fage a space that blends family history and artistic practice. They shared stories of growing up surrounded by art and learning the casting process firsthand from their father, memories that have shaped their own approaches to their work. Their ongoing contributions ensure that Casa Fage remains a hub for Costa Rican art and preserves the family’s enduring bond with the craft.

Expanding Beyond Bronze: Resin, Restoration, and Community Engagement

Past molds stored in the Casa Fage foundry.

In addition to bronze casting, Casa Fage offers a variety of other services, including resin sculpture, restoration, and maintenance of public artworks across Costa Rica. During the tour, Sarah Fage explained how the foundry has expanded its capabilities to meet the needs of contemporary artists. Resin offers an alternative medium for those seeking a different visual effect, while their restoration services preserve Costa Rican sculptures in both public and private collections.

A relatively new initiative, Casa Fage Experiences, invites visitors to engage with the foundry’s process through guided tours and hands-on workshops. By opening their doors to the public, the Fages hope to inspire a greater appreciation for Costa Rican sculpture and foster a stronger connection between the art community and the public. Our tour was part of this initiative, and we left with a deeper understanding of the artistic and technical processes that bring these works to life.

Creative Freedom: From Sculpture to Painting

Another striking aspect of Casa Fage is the artistic freedom enjoyed by the Fage siblings, each of whom has developed a unique style and voice within the family’s creative ecosystem. While Gregory, Sarah, and Dustin Fage all contribute to the foundry’s operations, their individual artistic paths extend beyond the world of bronze and resin sculpture. All three are also painters, using their canvases as platforms for personal expression that diverges from the shared work of the foundry.

Sarah’s paintings bring a vibrant, abstract sensibility to her practice. Her work explores dynamic colour compositions and organic forms, with each canvas reflecting a journey into her fascination with nature’s subtleties.

Gregory, on the other hand, is drawn to classical influences, often invoking anatomical precision and a narrative richness that feels reminiscent of mythology. His works introduce fantastical creatures and otherworldly landscapes, constructing intricate realms that blend the surreal with the familiar. In his paintings, there’s a sense of controlled chaos—a balance between his technical expertise in sculpture and his imaginative drive.

Dustin’s paintings offer a deeply personal counterpoint, dissecting emotional layers through symbolic interiors and multi-layered images. His work peers through translucent layers, each revealing glimpses of previous images and memories. Dustin spoke to us about his painting as a process of introspection—an unfiltered expression of emotions.

The creative freedom that Gregory, Sarah, and Dustin exercise as individual artists not only broadens the artistic output of Casa Fage but also enriches the foundry’s collaborative atmosphere.

Supporting Emerging Costa Rican Artists

Casa Fage’s support for local talent is integral to its mission. The foundry helps promote emerging artists alongside its own family members.

The foundry’s reach extends well beyond the family, however. Casa Fage collaborates with a wide range of artists, from small-scale creators to established names, producing sculptures that are integral to Costa Rica’s cultural landscape. This role as both a creator and a supporter of art cements Casa Fage as a cornerstone of Costa Rican contemporary sculpture.

Looking Ahead: Casa Fage’s Continuing Influence in Latin American Art

As Casa Fage continues to grow under the stewardship of Anabelle, Gregory, Sarah, and Dustin, its influence on Latin American art is set to deepen. By preserving traditional techniques like lost wax casting while embracing new media and educational outreach, Casa Fage is helping to shape the future of Costa Rican sculpture. Our visit offered a glimpse into the heart of this family-led foundry, where the craft is more than a technique—it’s a legacy.

This personal tour of Casa Fage left us with an appreciation for the foundry’s role in nurturing Costa Rican art and fostering a community built on skill, passion, and family tradition.

MÍRAME Fine Art is thrilled to collaborate and support Casa Fage Foundry.