Material Matters: Training the Next Generation of Themed Finish Experts
At CASTO Creative, we believe that constructability is not just a philosophy, it is a responsibility. Our industry depends on the next generation of designers, builders, and storytellers, which is why we created Material Matters, a four-day hands-on, immersive materials training course designed for students and young professionals of the themed industry.
“The best designers are the ones who understand the materials they work with. It’s that hands-on experience that makes a real difference.”
— Matthew Casto, CEO, CASTO Creative
This summer, 37 students and emerging professionals joined us for an immersive program that blended artistry with technical precision. With the support of more than 30 sponsors, hosted at the outstanding Select Surface Solutions facility, and assisted in setup and takedown by the nonprofit group MODMAN, the course offered an unparalleled opportunity to learn directly from industry leaders.
Collaboration and Community
The strength of Material Matters came not only from its curriculum but from the collaboration behind it. The partnership with UF CityLab ensured that students from the University of Florida and young professionals from across the region could participate in this hands-on experience.
Support came from every corner of the industry, with more than 30 sponsors providing materials, tools, and student scholarships. From Topcast and Sika, to Resinwerks, Rapid Set, Surecrete, Durameen, PPG, and many more, these contributions ensured that every participant could learn on the very same systems used in the world’s largest projects.
MODMAN, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching skills and building a better future for young men, also donated labor to assist with setup and takedown, reflecting the same values of mentorship and generational growth that CASTO champions.
Day 1 – Concrete Foundations
The course began with a focus on fundamentals. Students explored full-depth concrete pours, learning not just placement but also the science behind the material. With admixtures donated by E5, they experimented with how chemical and mineral modifiers adjust set times, strength, and workability—knowledge that connects laboratory theory with field application. Guided practice followed, as participants placed, consolidated, and finished concrete, working through the essential sequence of screeding, floating, edging, and troweling. These exercises emphasized how surface control directly impacts performance and final appearance.
Once comfortable with the basics, students advanced into decorative systems. Using Topcast surface retarders, they produced exposed aggregate panels, experimenting with timing and depth to achieve different levels of reveal. Stamping and texturing techniques were introduced next, where Sika color hardeners and release agents helped create panels that convincingly mimicked wood planks, stone, and cobblestone paving. Finally, stencil applications showed how repeatable patterns and geometric designs can be combined with color and texture for efficient yet creative paving solutions.
The day closed with a reminder of purpose: raw concrete can be transformed into a durable, expressive surface that carries narrative as much as function. Or, as Matthew Casto framed it: “A laborer who learns a skill becomes a craftsman. With devotion and passion, that craftsman grows into an artisan.”
Day 2 – Overlays and Vertical Systems
Day two introduced students to the versatility of overlays, starting with Firmecrete’s engineered mixes. They practiced wet-on-wet and bonded applications at half-inch thicknesses, embedding glass aggregates into the surface and revealing them after set to highlight decorative potential. Rapid Set self-levelers demonstrated how fluid floors can cure to precise flatness and be polished into refined, high-performance finishes. Participants also worked with Surecrete overlays and Durameen Scrafino microtops, learning how ultra-thin coats—no thicker than a credit card—can resurface existing concrete with subtle texture or seamless smoothness.
The training then expanded vertically. Using Surecrete Wall Mix and Buddy Rhodes’ character plaster, students created carved stone, brick, and wood textures, bringing narrative detail to themed surfaces. Microtop systems were also applied to walls, showing how a consistent finish can unify both flatwork and vertical planes. To push creativity further, students coated 3D-printed forms donated by Alquist and Printera with cementitious overlays, blending additive manufacturing with traditional craft. The day concluded with casting fiber-reinforced gypsum plaster into molds, producing sculptural elements that demonstrated both structural strength and artistic potential.
As one student reflected, “There was so much information from pouring to sculpting, and I loved that we got to make our own rockwork. Now I have portfolio pieces to show for it.”
Day 3 – Paint and Stain
On the third day, the focus turned to artistry through color. Using PPG coatings and Surecrete EcoStains, students transformed their panels and vertical pieces from earlier sessions. They practiced spraying, rolling, applying washes, and even crackle techniques, layering paint and stain to replicate the look of wood, stone, and brick. The exercises highlighted how stains penetrate to reveal natural variation, while paints add opacity, highlights, and shadow to enhance realism.
By layering both systems, participants created surfaces that balanced depth and durability. A stained panel could gain richness through subtle washes of paint, resulting in finishes that felt both authentic and resilient. For many students, this was a turning point, shifting their perspective on decorative concrete from simple function to immersive artistry.
One participant summed it up: “On day three, when we painted our faux finish walls, I realized how much I loved this work. Now when I look at the ground in public, I can tell what is stamped concrete. That perspective shift was incredible.”
Day 4 – Resins, Coatings, and Sealers
The final day emphasized protection and innovation. Students experimented with resinous systems from Resinwerks, Citadel, and Ennis Flint, applying broadcast flake, metallic epoxy, and MMA urethane cements. They also explored how different sealers—water-based, solvent-based, penetrating, or film-forming—can dramatically influence both appearance and performance. A Saniglaze demonstration showed how resinous coatings can renew existing tile, offering a durable solution for commercial and themed environments alike.
Highlights of the day included Resinwerks’ stamped epoxy mortar, which can be troweled, textured, and stamped to replicate natural materials while providing chemical resistance and water durability. Students also worked with Ennis Flint’s stamped thermoplastic, a prefabricated system fused with heat to create decorative hardscapes in record time. Together, these systems illustrated how advanced coatings bridge aesthetics with function, expanding what is possible for both themed and commercial projects.
The week concluded with participants sealing their earlier work and reflecting on the range of techniques they had learned. As one student put it: “It was incredible to see concrete in action at every step. My favorite parts were painting the vertical pieces to bring them alive, and then watching the epoxy pours come together. It showed me just how much variety concrete and coatings can offer.”
Student Reflections & Leadership Perspective
The impact of the program was perhaps best captured in the words of the students themselves:
“Hands-on learning was a million times better than PowerPoints or books. A week ago I had no idea how to work with concrete, but now I carved, cast, and created a themed piece. With a little training, you can really take off in this industry.”
For Matthew Casto, the course reinforced CASTO’s mission to pass on knowledge, preserve craftsmanship, and elevate the next generation of builders and designers.
“Every generation builds on the last. Mentorship is the cycle that keeps our industry growing.”
— Matthew Casto, CEO, CASTO Creative
Closing Reflection
Material Matters was more than a training course. It was a living demonstration of CASTO Creative’s role as both expert consultants in themed finishes and passionate educators committed to building the future of the industry. By partnering with universities, sponsors, and nonprofits, CASTO continues to invest in students and young professionals, ensuring that the art and science of themed construction remain strong for years to come.
To follow along with future CASTO training opportunities and insights, visit the CASTO Corner blog and join us in supporting the next generation of makers, artisans, and storytellers.
