Our History
The Crucible first opened its doors on January 15, 1999, in a rented 6,000-square-foot warehouse in West Berkeley, then moved to West Oakland in 2003. Since our founding by sculptor Michael Sturtz, we have evolved into a community-focused industrial arts school and community, serving West Oakland and the Greater Bay Area.
We are the largest nonprofit industrial arts education facility in the United States and are committed to meeting everyone where they are, welcoming diverse voices, and using art to support creativity, personal transformation, and local economic development.
The Beginning
Today
2021
Our Woodshop expands to double its footprint in the studio and our Ceramics Department begins to expand its programming and update the studio. We recommit to our mission with community agreed-upon goals.
In December, our Bike Shop launches Open Shop Hours for our community and The Crucible partners with SFMade for the Open For Business Program.
We host our first in-person event in two years—GIFTY 2021.
2020
In March, The Crucible makes the difficult decision to close our doors to reduce the incidence and spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus. The team immediately pivots, launching a number of relief efforts to help support our team of faculty, staff, and working artists.
In July, The Crucible is able to completely renovate the studio and re-open in a limited capacity for Youth Summer Camps and Adult Classes.
In December, our Bike Shop expands, creating greater access to sustainable transportation for our community.
2019
In honor of our 20th anniversary, The Crucible announces a new $50,000 scholarship fund for adults, including the Raphael Allen Scholarship Fund, a fund especially for Oakland-Based People of Color, in honor of a dear friend and community member
We also expanded our unique and amazing fire arts program, open sourcing our historical knowledge of the fire arts with a six-part series focused on performance, safety, and fire effects
We also added over 40 brand-new courses for adults, including a variety of multidisciplinary, advanced, and one-day options
2018
In January, the first group of youth students ever use the Machine Shop
In March, Crucible Blacksmith Celeste Flores and Welder Don Plumb design and fabricate the Bay Series trophy from Bay Bridge Steel, alongside Scientific Art Studio
In April, The Crucible wins Oakland Magazine’s Reader’s Choice for Best Art Classes and Best Crafting Classes in the East Bay
In July, Susan Mernit joins The Crucible as our new Executive Director
2017
In February, Hot Couture expands to four nights of fire and fashion
In June, Mayor Libby Schaaf presents Oakland Warriors a key to the City of Oakland created by our Foundry department
In June, eight students who grew up participating in our Youth Programs join our regular faculty
In June, Pre-Apprentice Archway is installed over main studio entrance
2016
In July, the Fuego Youth Leadership Program doubles in size, accommodating 20 high school students during summer camps
In May, National MakerEd conference held at The Crucible for educators
In September, the Pre-Apprentice sculpture is installed in front of The Crucible
2015
In June, youth summer camps expand to six full weeks of programming, with 800 youth students engaged in summer programs
In October, The Crucible is awarded The Civic Award for Public Benefit and Community Empowerment from Civic Pride
In December, The Crucible is featured in the New York Times article “36 Hours in Oakland, California”
2014
In June, Pre-Apprentice Program launches, culminating in a public art project with City Slicker Farms
In July, The Crucible hosts East Bay Mini Maker Faire Kick-off and Town Hall
In July, win Oakland Magazine’s Editor’s Award for Best Place To Share Creative Quality Time With Your Teen
2013
In March, artist in residence at The Asian Art Museum
In July, we participate in the East Bay Open Studios for the first time
In October, The Crucible hosts Urban Manufacturing Association Convening Kick-Off Party & Manufacturing Day Celebration
2012
In May, the Bike Bridge installed in Uptown Oakland, led by Michael Christian and fabricated by young women from our Youth Programs
In April, we host our first Science of Art open house, in partnership with the Exploratorium
In November, The Crucible hosts 50 Years of Studio Art Glass
2011
In January, The Crucible produces the Revival performance retrospective
In May, we start the first year of our Fuego Youth Leadership Program
In July, we produce Inferno: A Fire Circus
2010
In April, our Youth Program displays their altered bike frames at the DeYoung Friday Night Programming
In June, artist in residence at California Academy of Sciences
In July, we produce Heat: A Fire Cabaret
2009
To celebrate our ten year anniversary in January, we produce our first entirely original theatrical event, the fire ballet Dracul: Prince of Fire, written by Michael Sturtz
The Crucible hosts the Annual Enamelist Society Conference in August
In October, The Crucible takes a trip to the Exploratorium to host a Cartonería workshop
2008
Celebrate our ninth anniversary in January by producing the first Hot Couture
In April, produce the fire ballet Firebird “L’oiseau de feu” to raise money in support of The Crucible’s programming
In July, artist in residence at de Young Museum, in conjunction with the Dale Chihuly glass exhibit
2007
In January, we produce our first Fire Ballet, Romeo & Juliet
In April, Kristy Alfieri, Education Director, and Carla Hall, Youth and Community Manager, receives the Bay Area Jefferson Award
In September, The Crucible’s Die-sel Moto sets a new diesel motorcycle landspeed world record at 130.614 MPH
2006
In January, launch the Youth Fired Up Program
Red Caboose is donated, rebuilt, and refurbished as a functioning work space in April
Install solar panels on the roof and begin to offset our electrical use in May
2005
Mother of All Reality TV show for National Geographic Channel in January
In January, begin to re-offer youth classes, but now at the Oakland location
In February, we host the very first community Bike Fix-A-Thon in collaboration with The Bike Kitchen in San Francisco
2004
The First Fire Opera, Dido & Aeneas by Henry Purcell, is performed to celebrate our 5th Anniversary in January
Hold our Aquatic Fire Opera Fundraiser in May
In July, we host the first Oakland Fire Arts Festival, featuring the Hand of God by the Flaming Lotus Girls, our largest urban fire installation to-date
2003
Grand reopening in March of our new Oakland facility with the “Ignite!” gala event, where Mayor Jerry Brown dedicates the building by breaking a flaming bottle of champagne over an anvil
In June, conduct a special bronze pour for Industrial Light & Magic to create raw footage of molten metal for animated credits on Pirates of the Caribbean movie
Open our doors for our first annual GIFTY holiday art sale and open house in December
2002
Michael Sturtz presents bronze commemorative fire axe to the heroes of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY Battalion 8 Midtown, in honor of 9/11) in February
In September, begin the Phoenix Fundraising Campaign so The Crucible can move to larger facility
The Crucible closes Ashby/Murray facility in Berkeley in October
2001
First Student Art Show and Spring Open House in April
Begin hourly shop rental for experienced students and individuals in July
Start offering corporate team building workshops in September
2000
Launch our SPARC (Student Program and Resources at The Crucible) Youth Program with five classes in January
Expand our facility from 6,000 to 17,000-square-feet
Start offering by-appointment tours and field trips
1999
The Crucible is founded by Michael Sturtz
First art classes begin in March
Dreams become reality with the first ever Fire Arts Festival in Berkeley, a one-day production in June