Welcome to Shellspen International – where art and innovation collide. Our journey began in 1965 when a 5-year-old named Sean Colson started selling drawings of cars for a nickel each on his front yard. By the age of 7, his first exhibition took place at the prestigious Hilton Leech Gallery in Sarasota, Florida, alongside his father, the renowned sculptor Frank Colson. This was just the beginning of a lifetime dedicated to artistic discovery.

In 1979, Sean took a leap into the future of art and technology, founding Shellspen International. Inspired by his father’s groundbreaking invention of a ceramic shell slurry that chemically suspended itself rather than needing constant mixing, Sean’s vision for Shellspen revolutionized the field of casting. Shellspen became an instant leader, renowned for pushing boundaries and constantly evolving.

But Sean’s drive didn’t stop there. As Shellspen grew, so did his passion for expanding the possibilities of artistic creation. The company began to lead in metal casting workshops and sculpture restoration. Notably, Shellspen restored Ringling’s David and the impressive collection of sculptures by Jack Cartlidge at Sarasota County – preserving art for generations to come.

Fast forward to today, and Shellspen is at the forefront of cutting-edge art technology, embracing the future with tools like clay and concrete 3D printers. We don’t just embrace innovation – we make it part of our DNA, ensuring that art, creativity, and the preservation of the past continue to evolve. Join us in shaping the future of art.