We are excited to announce that CAST is an award winner in the Art category of the 2018 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest! We’re just thrilled by this award and it arrived on Renée’s birthday which was an added bonus.
This brings CAST to a total of NINE wins and three finalist designations! Huge thanks to all the organizations and judges who found our book worthy of these awards and our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to CAST.
Thanks to Anna Boothe for contributing her artwork for the show logo. Talisman, Anna Boothe. Pâte de verre glass, 2017.
We are thrilled to announce that CAST is going to come to life as an invitational exhibition called CAST: Art and Objects at the Wayne Art Center in the Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Gallery, December 7, 2018 – January 26, 2019.
Friday, December 7
CAST: Art and Objects 2018 Preview Party
Friday, 6:00 – 10:00 pm
Saturday, December 8
Book Signing 12:00 - 1:00
Curators’ Lecture and Meet the Artists
Saturday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Renée and Jen with literary agent, Marilyn Allen.
We attended the awards ceremony for the Next Generation Indies Book Awards at Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans! CAST was awarded the Grand Prize in Non-Fiction, a win in Art, and a win in Best Overall Design. It was a terrific event and we were so honored to be able to participate.
CAST was awarded the Grand Prize in Non-Fiction, a win in the Art category, and a win for Best Overall Design in Non-Fiction by the Next Generation Indies by the Next Generation Indies Book Award!
For our niche book to have won the ultimate award for all of non-fiction is just incredible. The NGIBAs are like the Sundance of Independent Book Awards. This great honor comes with cash awards, a gala in New Orleans (we'll be attending!), and medals.
We are humbled and delighted that CAST resonated with this group of judges the way it did. Huge thanks to the judges and everyone who makes the NGIBAs possible and thanks to Schiffer Publishing for providing the copies of the book for the judges. We're incredibly grateful.
The International Book Awards awarded CAST a win in the Art category and as a finalist in Best Interior Design!
CAST won two Independent Press Awards, in the Fine Art and Sculpture categories! We are so honored that CAST resonated with the judges in this way.
We are honored to announce that CAST was awarded the Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award (for excellence in debut books) and in the Art category!
Here we are at the Gold Conference with an accidental photobomb by the inimitable Christina Miller! Christina was there speaking about her expertise in environmental responsibility and her business, Sustainable Jewelry Consulting!
We had the honor of speaking about CAST at the Initiatives in Art and Culture Eighth International Gold Conference in NYC along with one of our metalsmithing heroes, Lin Stanionis. Held at the Bohemian National Hall, the Gold Conference featured a wide range of memorable speakers from makers to industry experts.
We had a blast getting a taste of this corner of the jewelry world and it was our honor to be in such great company.
Stay tuned for some video clips from our talk!
IAC puts on a host of incredible events with knockout lineups of speakers year round. Learn more about their upcoming events, Multiple Modernities in American Art (at Sotheby's), The Arts and Crafts Conference, and the New York Fashion, Design + Jewelry Conference
CAST is a finalist in the Foreword Indies Awards in the Art category! We are so honored to be in such incredible company - the other twelve finalists look like incredible books. Winners will be announced on June 15.
We have foil stickers for the dust jackets of CAST (pictured above), so let us know if you'd like one for your copy - we're happy to send one to you!
Learn more about the Foreword Indies HERE
Jen will be having a book signing at her alma mater, The Lancaster Country Day School, on Tuesday, April 17 from 6-8 pm. RSVP through this Eventbrite page and reserve your $50 signed copy of CAST (the best price we've seen!)
Join us in NYC April 13th for our presentation about CAST at the Gold: Vortex, Virtues, & Values, the eighth annual International Gold Conference by Initiatives in Art and Culture. We're thrilled to announce that we'll be joined by Lin Stanionis, who will discuss her work, her influences, and why casting is critical in the creation of her art jewelry. Book signing to follow.
Artnet.com gave CAST the ultimate compliment - the number 1 spot on their "15 Most Beautiful Art Coffee Table Books of 2017" list! We are honored beyond belief.
Object of Mourning Veil #4, copper, bronze, silver, velvet, ribbon, beads, 2015
CAST Featured in GVSU's Scholarly and Creative Achievements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Being featured in this publication at GVSU is a real honor. Big thanks to Monica Johnstone, who wrote this lovely article about Renée and CAST!
The In-The-Know Nine
The Broad Life, a women's interest magazine, wrote a terrific feature on CAST co-author, Renée Zettle-Sterling and her work, life, and CAST.
Check out this excellent interview with Renée on The Broad Life
City Book Review, a website for authors and book-lovers of all kinds, posted a great review of CAST.
INSTORE Magazine, a magazine for the jewelry industry, gave CAST a great placement this month in their "Jewelry Pro Gear" section.
White Cabana, a a source for design inspiration, ideas about art and design, and an online notebook to share design ideas with readers, gave CAST a great write-up.
CAST at Rizzoli
Jen at Rizzoli in NYC
CAST is now available at Rizzoli, one of the most beautiful bookstores we've ever seen. Not only that, but it's featured on page 13 in their gorgeous holiday catalog! What an honor.
CAST got the honor of making Living Well magazine's gift guide this holiday season! Chosen from over 800 products, we're happy the editors saw the appeal of CAST for everyone on your Christmas list!
CAST is featured in the Movato Home magazine gift guides
Vancouver HOME holiday gift guide
Movato Home publishes Vancouver HOME, Toronto HOME, and Montreal HOME, which are described as luxury, interior design, lifestyle magazines. CAST got a coveted spot in the gift guides these glossy beauties feature every holiday season.
Blogger, Binzento Vincente, says, "thank you Jen Townsend & Renée Zettle-Sterling for putting together this beautiful and resourceful book about the art and history of casting creation." Thank you, Binzento! We're looking forward to the full review!
It's Monday What Are You Reading?
Nov 13 Edition
CAST got a nice mention on this roundup of new books!
A Book Gift Guide for All Ages
Amber Baker says on her blog, "This is a gorgeous book, seriously y'all. CAST would make for a fitting staple in any living room, on any coffee table. There's something for everyone in this book, and it's sure to be cherished for ages." Such a lovely comment!
Jen and Renée Speaking at SOFA!
We're thrilled to announce that we'll be speaking at the Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design Expo (SOFA) in Chicago on Friday, November 3 from 10:30 - 11:30 am with a book signing to follow. SOFA is an incredible expo dedicated to three-dimensional works of craft, art, and design. Held on Navy Pier, SOFA is a wonderful experience. We'd love to see you there!
Many thanks to the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) for sponsoring our talk!
Gift Guide: Super Luxe Coffee Table Book for the
Gallery-Goer on Your List
CAST got a wonderful write-up in Fashion Maniac, a terrific website that covers everything from the news to accessories.
Check out their coverage on fashionmaniac.com
"Earthbound function and alchemical magic" - CAST, reviewed in American Craft magazine by Judy Arginteanu
CAST Captures the Beauty and History of How our World is Made
A Book Of, an online fashion and culture magazine, gave CAST some wonderful coverage, including a bunch of photos they took of the book.
CAST on matthew hunt.com
Blogger, Matthew Hunt, gave CAST a nice shout out in the book review section of his blog.
CAST is now available in
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bookstore!
Jen at The Metropolitan Museum of Art bookstore wearing Grandma's cast mushroom brooch
We are honored beyond our ability to express it when we think about our book being in The Met. We are so grateful to everyone who made this possible and especially to Brittany Arnold who took pictures of our baby in the "New Arrivals" section. Thanks, Brittany!
GVSU professor co-authors book on the art of casting
By Celia Harmelink
The Grand Valley Lanthorn has a great piece on CAST written by Celia Harmelink. Grand Valley is so proud of Renée and of CAST - this piece is based on an interview with Renée and discusses some of the background of the book and how it came to be.
See the GVSU professor co-authors book on the art of casting
CAST was featured on Hinsdale LivingThe Buzz: September 2017.
Hinsdale Living is an exclusive lifestyle publication for Hinsdale and the surrounding communities. We offer in-depth features, portraits of local residents, and extensive coverage of social functions and lifestyle trends. Our publication reaches more than 60,000 readers monthly—mailed directly to every resident and business within the communities of Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, and Oak Brook. This relevant and timely magazine mirrors the extraordinary populace it represents.
We're pleased to announce a lovely piece on CAST from ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME magazine!
ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME magazine covers spectacular design and architecture, incredible people, and intimate journeys into exclusive estates throughout the world. Commitment to visual brilliance, investment in the storytelling of luxury and culture, and a discerning editorial eye set ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME magazine apart as a renowned, first-in-class publication.
CAST in the New Art Books Section
CAST made the listing in the New Art Books section of Art Times,
Compiled by Raymond J. Steiner for arttimesjournal
"From Auguste Rodin to Ai Weiwei, new book reveals the history, magic, and omnipresence of casting"
We're pleased to announce that Art Daily, the first online art newspaper (est. 1996), posted a lovely article on CAST.
"Eye Candy"
Sheridan Road posted a beautiful feature on CAST in their September issue! Sheridan Road is a Chicago-based luxury lifestyle magazine that delivers a colorful and passionate telling of neighboring events, fashion, beauty, finance, and the pursuit of leisure. This unique publication observes the social scene with intelligence, glamour, and style.
"Cast: Art and Objects Book Review – An Exhaustive Reference Manual For Artists, Scholars and Designers" by Janet Walker
Haute Lifestyle, a website that covers everything from arts and culture to news, science, and technology, posted a terrific review of CAST.
"Professor educates about a common, but overlooked artistic process through new book" by Marissa LaPorte
This piece, written by Marissa LaPorte, a GVSU University Communications student writer, was recently posted on the GVSU website. LaPorte interviewed Renée and gives an overview of CAST.
Country delivers a colorful and passionate telling of The Barringtons’ events, style, wellness, and local goings on; observes the social scene with intelligence and glamour; and offers engaging features that give insight into the extraordinary people, philanthropy, and lifestyles that makeup our exclusive address.
Radio interview with Shelley Irwin on WGVU
Shelley Irwin, host of The Morning Show, interviewed Renée and Jen about Renée's work as a Professor at GVSU and the publication of CAST!
4 Star Review on Edible Pages
This reviewer hoped for a little more step-by-step, which we knew some people would want, but we found the how-to to be a very slippery slope into a how-to text. Nevertheless, the reviewer kindly gave the book four stars.
"The mission of this book is to re-establish an appreciation of the casting process, past and present, and they take the reader on a whirlwind tour of history and materials to do it."
Margaret Lindsay Holton also wrote a great in-depth review on raisethehammer.org, a regional public affairs & arts-interest website out of Hamilton, Ontario.
Getting the Word Out
We are working with Smith Publicity to help get CAST into the spotlight.
Do you have ideas about reviewers, blogs, magazines, or other media that might be interested in CAST, artists featured in the book, or outlets that might want to feature an interview with us about casting? Please email us and let us know any ideas you might have!
Happy Birthday to CAST!
CAST was released on June 28th, 2017 and is now available for purchase from booksellers worldwide.
After three years of working on the book, it's so thrilling to see people's response to CAST. From followers posting videos and pictures of the book on instagram to five star reviews on Goodreads, we're touched and honored to see the enthusiasm from readers.
Want your own copy? Check out our Where to Find CAST page.
Book Premiere!
Jen Townsend and Renée Zettle-Sterling will be presenting CAST:Art and Objects Made Using Humanity's Most Transformational Process at the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) conference in New Orleans, May 25th, 12:15 - 1:15 pm. Their lecture will discuss the genesis of the book, its content, and why this was an important book to write.
There will be daily book signings in the Vendor Room at the conference in Schiffer Publishing's booth Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday May 24-26, 4:30-5:30 pm.