Parent-child workshop: Repoussé metal

Serious Topics

This workshop invites children aged 6 to 12 to create their own artistic version of a manhole cover, emblematic of the Pont-à-Mousson foundries, and to experiment with the repoussé metal technique. This process involves creating a raised design on a thin metal sheet, such as aluminum. After drawing their chosen design, children will use modeling sticks to trace it onto the metal sheet, creating a three-dimensional drawing and playing with textures and shine. Focus: The art of manhole covers: from street to museum Manhole covers—those large round or square metal lids in our streets—can be real works of art with geometric patterns, city symbols, or original designs. In Japan, many cities even have colorful, illustrated covers that are a source of local pride and a tourist attraction. Focus: The Pont-à-Mousson foundries Since 1856, the city of Pont-à-Mousson has been famous for its foundries, producing cast iron items like manhole covers and pipes. Today, the factory still exists under the name Saint-Gobain PAM and continues to manufacture equipment for cities around the world.