Sponsored by the Special Events Council of Appalachian Popular Programming Society, “Wax Hands Molding” will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Plemmons Student Union today. Participation is free and no gestures are banned or discouraged. Photo by Holt Menzies.

by DEEANNA HANEY
Intern Lifestyles Reporter

Students can make an extra hand during the “Wax Hands Molding” event in Plemmons Student Union today.

The free event is sponsored by the Special Events Council of Appalachian Popular Programming Society from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is available for anyone who desires a wax molding of their hand.

No gestures are banned or discouraged.

“I’ve seen a fist, an open palm and an ‘I love you’ sign before,” Kathryn L. Waitt, APPS vice president of communications and sophomore business major said. “You really can do whatever you want.”

At the event, students will cover their hands in petroleum jelly or baby oil so the mold will easily slide off when finished.

They will also dip their hands in tubs of hot wax.

Once the desired wax hand gesture is set, it will be dipped in ice water to harden and create a mold. The process is repeated until a thick, waxy buildup is achieved.

Afterward, the wax hands can be dipped in red, yellow or blue dye.

Waitt participated in the event last year and created a yellow and red mold of her open palm.

Yevgeniy Livshits, APPS special events chair and sophomore risk management and insurance major sported a wax pair of green Hulk fists until his roommate sat on one of them.

“[The event is] really just to have fun and to have as a memoir from school,” Livshits said.

Although a fun event for college students, wax molding is actually an art form spanning back to ancient times, as early as 5000 B.C. in the Mediterranean region and China, according to andresteadsculpture.com.

Associate Art Professor Christopher M. Curtin is head of sculpture in Appalachian State University’s Art Department.

“We participate in a process known as ‘lost wax investment casting,’ so we make sculptures all the time,” he said.

During the process, wax is used to create a model, eventually yielding a bronze or metal sculpture.

Although the wax hand molds in the student union will never become bronze sculptures, students are encouraged to let their creativity flow.

“I suppose there will be a lot of ‘extra hands’ floating around, and who doesn’t need an extra hand from time to time?” Curtin said.

Photo by Holt Menzies  |  Chief Photographer

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