When Piero Mussi visited San Francisco for the first time in 1975, he
had no idea he would eventually relocate there and become a fixture in the art scene.
He
took it for granted that he, like his father and his father’s father, would make a
living farming in Northern Italy.
A three week vacation to the Bay Area changed all that.
Not only did
Piero fall in love with Northern California, he observed a vibrant culture and a need for
a "lost wax" foundry. As a teenager growing up in Piacenza, he had learned the
6,000 year old "lost wax" process from working in the area’s art foundries.
He was taught by foundry masters who brought generations of knowledge to the subject.
It
is rumored that his affinity for bronze casting and his desire to bring his skills to
Northern California, may have been eclipsed by a local romance.
In 1975 Piero said farewell to his parents and 8 siblings and returned
to San Francisco. Speaking no English, he managed to secure a job at a foundry in San
Leandro. After a two year stint, with a better understanding of English and a small
savings, he started Artworks Foundry.
The company in its original form would not impress many bankers:
working from a rundown lot in Richmond, the assets consisted of a gas furnace, some
working tools, a single client and the desire of one man to succeed.
Through hard work, and an 80 hour a week dedication to the foundry,
Piero managed to get the attention of more and more sculptors in the area.
There was no
advertising in newspapers and magazines, only word of mouth among sculptors in the East
Bay, San Francisco and Marin. The growing business led Piero to move the foundry to a
larger space in West Berkeley and then again to its current location at 729 Heinz Avenue
in Berkeley.
The operating principles that guided Piero in the early days, remain in
effect today:
- Respect the integrity of the original Artwork
- Work hard
- Charge a fair price
- Communicate with your Customer
- Always deliver on time
