The 2004 Fire Arts Festival - Classes

Monday through Sunday, July 5-11, 2004

Download Local Map and Directions [pdf: 120k]

Classes at a Glance

Register by phone: Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm
Call us at (510) 444-0919

Fill out an online form: Registration Form »

INTRODUCTION TO BLACKSMITHING
Basic blacksmithing is designed to offer the fundamental skills needed to forge steel. We will introduce tapering, upsetting, flattening and dishing. Instructors will assign small projects such as spoons, a set of tongs, a hole punch, hot cut, hooks or candle holders. This class will introduce the heat-treating process for high carbon and tool steels (annealing, hardening and tempering).

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CUPOLA IRON CASTING
From a hole in the sand to a finished work of iron sculpture, this workshop takes you from start to finish in a 1-week intensive. You'll be taught mold construction and preparation while building your own sand mold using sodium silicate. You'll learn the steps necessary to prepare for the cupola iron casting pour traditionally used in industry and known for its continuous melt capacity and "metal volcano" characteristics. In the final and exhilarating event, you'll prepare iron and coke charges, have an opportunity to operate the cupola and pour molten iron into your own sand mold.

You should bring a few patterns to choose from with no severe undercuts. Piece should be no larger than a bread box. There will be an additional price per pound for sand and metal.

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INTRODUCTION TO WELDED SCUPLTURE
Learn how to fuse metal with your bare (actually, gloved) hands. Start at the beginning of metal working with technical welding pros. This is a hands-on intensive course in ARC welding and oxyacetylene torch cutting. No experience necessary! You will have the opportunity to make a small sculptural piece at the end of the class. Leather footwear and non-synthetic clothing required.

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INTENSIVE FLAMEWORKING WEEKEND
Have you always wanted to work with molten glass but never been able find the time to make it happen? Take a break from your weekly routine and get your feet wet in the exciting world of glass art during this intensive workshop. Learn to create goblets, pendants, marbles, miniature perfume bottles and more! Over the course of the weekend, you will be introduced to the tools and fundamentals of flameworking. Techniques covered will include color application, cane-making, frit application and tube work. Continuing students welcome.

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WEEKEND NEON INTENSIVE
Illuminate your life with this introductory course in neon. This class in fabrication and application of neon in a sculptural context includes hands-on tool use as well as discussion of design and aesthetic considerations. No prior experience with glass or electricity is required. Students will have the opportunity to complete an illuminated project.

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EL-WIRE WORKSHOP
This one-day workshop will introduce you to the technology and craft of soldering and working with electroluminescent wire (a.k.a. "EL-wire"). You'll learn basic soldering techniques with EL-wire and various ways to assemble and attach wire to fabric, wood and plastic. Drivers and sequencers for animation and advanced techniques will be covered. If you're drawn to brightness and glow, this class will show you how to add sparkly shimmer to sculpture, interiors and wearable art.

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FIRE DANCING WORKSHOP
In this two day workshop we will focus on tightening up transitional moves as we learn a dance to a piece of music. By the end of Sunday's class we will have learned a dance routine that we can perform together as a group. Student must have a solid foundation of poi spinning to take this workshop.

Prerequesite: Art of Firedancing or a good standing knowledge of how to spin fire. Must have your own practice poi.

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FEARLESS FIRE EATING
Hungry for something hot? Spice up performances and parties with your new skills as a fire eater! This weekend workshop will enable even beginners to construct their own torches and safely execute body transfers, fire eating, and some advanced tricks with grace and confidence. All materials will be provided for the construction of two eating torches. Fire safety emphasized.

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DRAGON BREATH
Want to be the hit of the party without burning down the house? Learn the basic techniques and safety procedures for blowing fire. Will Discuss environmental concerns, such as wind and you’ll learn what fuels to use and which to avoid. First learning with water you will be guided safety through your first fire breathing experience.

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ART OF FIEDANCING (POI)
Interested in learning to spin fire? Come and spend two days experiencing the ancient Maori art of spinning poi! Learn a little history while getting familiar with the basic moves, safety practices and spinning.

There will be a 1 hour lunch from 11:30 to 12:30pm

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FLAMING SWORD AND CANDLE DANCING FOR BELLY DANCERS
Add the drama of fire to your dance performance with Luna's show-stopping flaming sword effect. Learn safe techniques for prepping and balancing your own dance sword with a flaming tip. You will learn how to create dripless candles for candle dancing that stay lit even while spinning! Workshop includes ample dance movement vocabulary for you to use to create your own complete candle dance choreography.

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[R]EVOLVING YOUR STAFF
This advanced 3 hour workshop is dedicated to give greater skill and understanding of your staff. This class features unusual moves, advanced movement techniques, graceful transitions, performance and choreography skills. Must bring your own staff.

You must have a basic understanding of staff movements, flat passes, spin passes, figure 8 movements, front to back changes, turning with the staff and changing the axis of rotation.

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[R]EVOLVING YOUR POI
Looking to improve your fire-spinning skills? Get better aquainted with your poi and take your fire-dancing to the next level in this advanced workshop. Over the course of 3 hours you’ll learn unique syncopated moves, advanced stalls, graceful transitions, and more.

You must have a basic understanding of poi movement - weave, pinwheels, butterflies all directions; basic connections between them; understanding stalls.

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FLAME EFFECTS FOR THE ARTIST
Fire up your artwork and illuminate your life! Eric Smith, Chief Inspector for the Nevada LP-gas board and Dave X team up to teach this intensive, two-day workshop on how to add live fire to your sculpture. On the first day of class students will be taught the properties of liquid propane, and the proper safety methods for containing, transporting, and igniting this unique fuel. During the final class you will have the opportunity to see a spectacular flame effect that incorporates the many fundamental flame effect processes you have learned throughout the course.

There will be a 45 minute lunch.

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