The calendar might say fall, but at Rowe Fine Art Gallery, it’s hot, hot, hot.

 On Friday, October 1, from 4 to 7 p.m., join sculptor and patina artist Erik Petersen as he demonstrates bronze finishing work outside Rowe Fine Art Gallery during Out of the Furnace, Into the Fire. Erik will arrive with a selection of tools including his torch and air compressor, and he will apply patinas to unfinished bronze sculptures by Ken Rowe and Kim Kori, two of the artists he works with in his Prescott studio. He’ll also demonstrate on his own work, an owl sculpture he calls Spot. Watch how colors change during the pigment application process and come armed with questions. Please note that the demonstration will start promptly at 4 p.m.

“Spot” Highly Collectible Limited Edition Bronze of 76. Dimensions: 4”H .x 3.5”W x 3.25”D

“Everyone always asks how I know what to do,” says Erik, who has been working with prominent western sculptors on finishing work and patinas for 25 years. “Of course I talk with the artist, and sometimes they are there for the process, but after you’ve done this for a while, it becomes instinctive.”

 That’s not to say he doesn’t get thrown a curveball now and again. Ken Rowe recently experimented with painting his new bison bas-relief and tasked Erik with mimicking the paint as a patina. “I love the challenge of translating what he’s thinking,” says Erik.

“The Perfect Pair” Highly Collectible Limited Edition Bronze of 30.

Dimensions: 12.5”H x 6.5”W x 6.5”D

Erik also works with Rowe Gallery sculptors Liam Herbert and Joel Petersen, Erik’s father. He admits that his studio stays so busy he doesn’t have as much time as he’d like to focus on his sculpture. Spot began as a sketch he created at a Rowe Gallery sculpting demo years ago, but he had to put it aside while he focused on his finishing business. Regardless of the timeline, Erik still feels the need to create art. During a recent conversation, he and Ken Rowe were readying for a trip to Yellowstone National Park and Jackson, Wyoming, where Erik was hoping to gather materials for a new venture: wildlife painting.

 Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to get a glimpse of the bronze sculpture finishing process, right here in your backyard.

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” Highly Collectible Limited Edition Bronze of 30.

Dimensions: 11”H x 9”W x 6.5”D