Founded by Earl Dorfman in 1957, Baltimore’s Dorfman Museum Figures makes highly realistic figures and conservation forms for museums and institutions. Its customizable figures have brought human presence to exhibits ranging from the Smithsonian to Singapore, while its conservation forms are designed to display historic garments safely. The studio works with clients from small historic houses to large commercial attractions, tailoring figures to the exhibit and budget.
StudioEISSince 1977, Brooklyn-based StudioEIS has brought American history into physical form through commemorative sculptures, museum figures and imaginative design. Founded and directed by sculptor Ivan Schwartz, the collaborative studio has created work for institutions including the National Constitution Center, the Smithsonian and the National Civil Rights Museum. Its archive, unveiled in 2014, is held at the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin.BROOKLYN, NY
XYZ CustomSince 2000, Tarentum-based XYZ Custom has turned designers’ sketches and renderings into engineered and fabricated environments, with a particular focus on immersive museum exhibits. Its work ranges from the LIGO Observatory Visitors Center to the traveling Charlie Harper exhibit, and the company handles projects from design engineering through fabrication, delivery and installation. XYZ’s team brings deep exhibit-industry experience, including founder Steve Hellberg’s two decades at Creative Productions, to custom work built for museums and other public-facing spaces.TARENTUM, PA
GoFigure! Custom FiguresGoFigure! Custom Figures makes custom 4" (1:18) and 12" (1:6) action figures made to look like clients, with optional resealable retail-style packaging. The company uses a patent-pending sculpting process and hand-makes products in the USA, serving consumers who want one-off items.PITTSBURGH, PA