Information
Landmark: Little Harbour FoundryCity: Abaco Islands
Country: Bahamas
Continent: North America
Little Harbour Foundry, Abaco Islands, Bahamas, North America
Overview
Little Harbour Foundry is a well-known art gallery and bronze casting studio set in Little Harbour, a quiet, postcard-perfect village on Abaco Island in the Bahamas, where turquoise water laps at the shore.In the early 1950s, the late Randolph Johnston, a renowned American sculptor, opened the foundry, its first bronze casts still warm in the morning air.Over the years, the foundry has grown into a beloved spot where art lovers can admire fine works and watch molten bronze swirl and pour into intricate molds.Randolph Johnston founded Little Harbour Foundry after moving to the Bahamas to devote himself to sculpting, eventually shaping it into a place where he and other artists could cast their work.Drawn to the rugged beauty of the Abaco Islands-the turquoise shallows, the wind-bent palms-he wove the land’s landscapes, wildlife, and culture into his creations.He’s best known for crafting bronze sculptures of animals, marine life, and busts of historical figures, and the foundry earned worldwide acclaim for its distinctive, finely detailed work that draws artists and collectors from far and wide; one standout feature of Little Harbour Foundry is the on-site bronze casting process, where molten metal gleams like liquid gold.Visitors can watch master artisans shape molten bronze using traditional methods handed down for generations.This foundry is among the few places left where lost-wax casting still thrives-a process that begins with a delicate wax model, encased in a mold, then heated until the wax melts away, leaving a hollow form ready for the glowing metal.The result is a bronze sculpture rich in fine detail and built to last, often made as a single unique piece or in small editions.Inside the on-site gallery, you’ll find works by Randolph Johnston and other artists, from his celebrated wildlife and marine figures to pieces that echo the spirit of the Bahamas.Paintings, sketches, and other art reflecting the culture and landscapes of the Abaco Islands line the walls.Just outside, a sculpture garden invites you to wander among bronze figures framed by the turquoise waters and sunlit rocks of Little Harbour.In the garden, you can breathe in the warm salt air while taking in bronze sculptures framed by the turquoise sea and lush palms of the Bahamas.At Little Harbour Foundry, guided tours lead you through the working foundry and gallery, where you’ll see the bronze casting process up close and hear the story of its history.These tours give you a rare chance to watch each sculpture take shape, from the first sketch to the final polish, and to see the artisans’ steady hands at work.Tucked away in a quiet corner of Abaco Island, the foundry’s seclusion makes the visit feel personal and authentic.Just outside, Little Harbour stretches into view, its glassy water and pale sand inviting you to linger.After touring the foundry, visitors can wander through quiet paths and take in the area’s rugged, salt-scented beauty.Over time, Little Harbour Foundry has grown into a vibrant gathering place for sculptors, painters, and collectors from across the globe.The foundry has long championed the arts in the Bahamas, leaving a legacy that still sparks creativity in both new and seasoned artists.Its gallery draws collectors and curious visitors alike, many eager to take home a vivid, one‑of‑a‑kind piece of Bahamian craftsmanship.Collectors prize many of Randolph Johnston’s pieces, and you’ll spot them in private homes, bright gallery spaces, and museums from Nassau to New York.Founder of the foundry, he was more than a skilled sculptor-he was a visionary who wove the turquoise light and sea-swept shores of the Bahamas into his art.His sculptures captured his bond with the islands’ wild beauty-the curve of a heron’s neck, the ripple of a palm in the wind-and were prized for their masterful craft and precise detail.That spirit lives on at Little Harbour Foundry, where his bronze works still stand as a lasting tribute to his vision and his love for the Bahamas.Today, the foundry stands as a testament to Johnston’s role in the Bahamian art world and his love for capturing the natural world’s beauty, from coral reefs to wind-bent palms.Tucked away at the southern tip of Abaco Island in Little Harbour, it’s a bit out of the way, but you can reach it by boat or by car.The foundry sits tucked into a quiet cove, where the only sounds are gulls calling and water lapping at the shore.If you love art, this spot is a must when exploring the Abaco Islands.The foundry welcomes visitors year-round, but winter’s mild air and soft sunshine make it especially inviting for wandering outside.Now and then, it hosts workshops and events where you can see molten bronze pour into a mold, learn the craft of sculpture, and even try shaping a piece of your own.At Little Harbour Foundry, art lovers can step right into the creative process-watch molten bronze pour into a mold, then see the finished work on display-and explore special exhibitions that bring together striking pieces from both local and international artists, making it a truly one-of-a-kind destination.In the quiet curve of Little Harbour on Abaco Island, the foundry stands as a living tribute to Randolph Johnston, the celebrated sculptor whose bronze figures helped shape the soul of Bahamian art.Visitors can admire the fine detail in bronze sculptures, watch how molten metal is poured into casts, and wander through a gallery and garden filled with striking works.Tucked in a quiet corner of the Abaco Islands, the foundry blends centuries-old stories with a vibrant artistic spirit, making it a stop you can’t miss.
