Baltimore Youth Arts Welcomes Phillip E. Harrison (aka Admiral): A Creative Journey Through Metal Casting

Baltimore Youth Arts recently had the opportunity to host a special visitor, Phillip E. Harrison, also known as Admiral, during a workshop that introduced our youth to the process of metal casting. What started with foam carving turned into a deeper exploration of sculpture, materials, and design.

This workshop is part of the Casting Dreams Competition, where BYA apprentices are working alongside Harrison—a sculptor, blacksmith, and designer affiliated with the Steel Founders’ Society of America and founder of Penumbra Design Studio. His guidance has opened up a new medium for our youth to experiment with, blending technical skill with creative expression.

Throughout the process, participants have been carving foam designs by hand and learning how those forms are transformed through casting. It’s been a chance to slow down, try something unfamiliar, and see a project through from concept to final piece.

The workshop has also created space for connection and curiosity—not just about metalwork, but about the possibilities of making and creating in general.

Winners of the competition will be announced soon, and we’re excited to see where this experience leads for each participant.

We’ll continue sharing updates as the work develops and the apprentices reflect on what they've learned along the way.