My wife fell in love with metal sculpting years ago, thanks to the local college offerings. Each of her courses exposed her to various approaches, such as welding and bronze casting. Her favorite by far was the once-a-semester iron pour.

There are 4 classes total, and you're allowed to take each class a maximum 2 times. So she maxed herself out because she couldn't get enough.

There was a road trip one year to another state, a gathering of like minds. It was held at a decommissioned iron foundry / museum. Various people gave talks on their style and techniques, which was super interesting according to my wife. She and the other students (and the instructor) had also brought along the molds they'd been working diligently on (wax filled) so that they could enjoy doing their iron pour onsite. My wife's project was 72 lbs once completed.

She said that between the weather (hot and humid), the locale, and the protective gear, she spent a lot of time uncomfortably hot and gritty. And loved every moment. It's her happy place.

She almost went with a group to Germany to do something similar; a metal sculpting retreat for a week or so. But the pandemic threw a spanner into that.