The process of creating the bronze sculpture created by sculpture Pojoaque Governor George Rivera of Santa Fe native and recipient of the Medal of Honor Sergeant First Class Leroy Arthur Petry is underway at the Shidoni foundry in Tesuque, New Mexico. On Thursday, August 16, 2012 workers are working on the 4th and 5th of the10 steps in creating the bronze sculpture is. The Spruing process is when wax rods are attached to the wax patter to allow the even flow of molten metal and to alleviate the trapping of air and gas. A sprue cup is placed onto the wax to receive the molten bronze. Step 5 is investing. Investing is when the wax is then coated with “investment”, a liquid refractory ceramic. As many as 20 layers are applied over the course of several days, creating a stable mold for casting the bronze. The entire 10-step process can take up to three weeks. Rivera says the tentative plan is to install the statue by Santa Fe City Hall by the end of September or first of October 2012. Clyde Mueller/The New Mexican

The process of creating the bronze sculpture created by sculpture Pojoaque Governor George Rivera of Santa Fe native and recipient of the Medal of Honor Sergeant First Class Leroy Arthur Petry is underway at the Shidoni foundry in Tesuque, New Mexico. On Thursday, August 16, 2012 workers are working on the 4th and 5th of the10 steps in creating the bronze sculpture is. The Spruing process is when wax rods are attached to the wax patter to allow the even flow of molten metal and to alleviate the trapping of air and gas. A sprue cup is placed onto the wax to receive the molten bronze. Step 5 is investing. Investing is when the wax is then coated with “investment”, a liquid refractory ceramic. As many as 20 layers are applied over the course of several days, creating a stable mold for casting the bronze. The entire 10-step process can take up to three weeks. Rivera says the tentative plan is to install the statue by Santa Fe City Hall by the end of September or first of October 2012. Clyde Mueller/The New Mexican