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Community Bike Ride (NOV 1)

This ride is all about joy, connection, and making space for Women, Trans, and Femme riders to shine. All riders welcome!...

Dia De Los Muertos Drop-in Activity

Celebrate with us by creating your own 4” x 6” Glass Skull Hanger — a colorful tribute to life and remembrance. No experience needed — just drop in and create!...

Mid-Autumn Festival Community Bike Ride (OCT 6)

This ride is all about joy, connection, and making space for Women, Trans, and Femme riders to shine. All riders welcome!...

Iron Pour 2025

Join us Saturday, November 1, for another unforgettable Iron Pour at The Crucible! Watch our Foundry team transform over 1,000 pounds of solid iron into molten metal, then cast it...

Support the Crucible at the New Parkway Theater for Karma Cinema Every Wednesday in July

2024 Report: Impact Report

In our 2024 Impact Report, you can see just how much you made possible!...

2024 Report: Youth Impact Report

In our 2024 Youth Impact Report, you can see just how much you made possible!...

The Independent Artists Fair

Join us for a vibrant day celebrating local creativity at The Independent Artists Fair!...

Hiroki Fukushima In Memoriam

Hiroki Fukushima passed away peacefully at his home in San Francisco on August 21, 2024. He lived fully every moment dedicated to his artistic work and family. During his...

Christian Schiess In Memoriam

Please join The Crucible in honoring and remembering the life of Christian Schiess, longtime faculty member and department head at The Crucible, who passed away at 11am, September...

Jolie Karno in Shoutout LA

This past Thursday, February 23, more than 180 students and educators from across the East Bay gathered at The Crucible for our first Field Trip Day in three years....

Celebrate Women’s History Month With These Bay Area Events

Throughout March, we’ll be recognizing the remarkable contributions of women past and present, as part of Women’s History Month. Check out local Women’s History Month events...

April-June Classes Open For Members On February 6—Get Your Guide!

Get ready to make this spring! April-june classes open for Early Member Registration this Tuesday, February 6. If you haven’t secured your Crucible membership, now is the time....

Black History Month In The Bay Area: Your 2024 Events Calendar

Every February, The Bay Area celebrates and recognizes the myriad contributions of Black Americans to our local and national culture during Black History Month events....

Test Your Crucible Knowledge: 25 Facts for 25 Years

It’s hard to believe, but 2024 marks The Crucible’s 15th anniversary! Since first opening our doors on January 15, 1999, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting thousands of artists,...

Thank You For Spending Your Weekend At GIFTY!

We are still beaming after an incredible GIFTY 2023! What a spectacular weekend full of creativity and community. Thank you to the thousands of visitors who came out to support our...

Crucible Board President, Melanie Moore Named One of Influential Women 2023

This is an interview with one of San Francisco Business Times' outstanding professionals in the 2023 class of Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business....

Art Transforms Lives: Youth Find Their Path Making Art With Rikki Smeltzer

In the summer of 2011, after graduating from his metalsmithing program at the University of North Texas, Rikki Lee Smeltzer set his sights on the Bay Area, in search of a creative...

The Crucible Welcomes Seth Steward As New Executive Director

The Crucible is pleased to announce Seth Steward has been named our new Executive Director ahead of our upcoming 25th anniversary year....

Plan for a Creative 2024: January-March Classes Open 10/31

This Tuesday, October 31, over 150 January-March classes open for early member registration. 2024 marks The Crucible's 25th Anniversary and there's no better way to ring in a...

A Case For Making: The Importance Of Education Accompanied By Art

As students settle into the new school year, we’re reminded of the important role art-making plays in a fulfilling, well-rounded education....

High School Students Unveiled Talents During 2023 Fuego Youth Leadership Reception

On Thursday, July 28, eight high school students gathered on the main floor of The Crucible, buzzing with excitement and nerves. In just a few short hours their guests would arrive...

Check Out Your September-December Classes In Our Latest Member Guide

Are you ready to shape glass, forge metal, and mold clay this fall? September–December classes open this Tuesday, July 11 exclusively for Crucible members. And with more than 200...

Get To Know Our 2023 Fuego Youth Leadership Cohort

Each year, during our four-week Fuego Youth Leadership Program, high school students work with a faculty mentor to deepen their industrial art knowledge in a specific department...

It’s Officially 2023 Summer Camp Season–See All The Pics!

No corner of the imagination went unexplored during the first week of 2023 Crucible Youth Summer Camp. From friendly robots to glistening glass creatures, we were blown away by the...

See The 2023 Fire & Light Soirée In Photos

Over the past four months, The Crucible’s founding Open For Business cohort—Amy Alaman, Brandyn Willridge, Cori Pillows, and Komoia Johnson—have been building new skills in the...

Your Summer Plans Just Landed: July-August Class Guide

Summer is synonymous with good times, and what could be more fun than exploring a new creative hobby? This Tuesday, May 2, our July-August 2023 classes will open for early member...

Plan The Best Summer With Our 2023 Youth Summer Camp Guide

2023 Youth Summer Camp registration is nearly here. With so many offerings we thought you might like a little help finding the perfect fit for your kiddo. Behold, our 2023 Youth...

Beloved Crucible Field Trips Return After Three-Year Hiatus

This past Thursday, February 23, more than 180 students and educators from across the East Bay gathered at The Crucible for our first Field Trip Day in three years....

The Crucible’s CFO, Renée Ventimiglia, To Act As Interim Executive Director

The Crucible is in the process of hiring our next Executive Director. But, in the meantime, we are thrilled to announce Crucible CFO, Renée Ventimiglia, as our Interim ED....

Your Guide To April-June 2023 Classes!

Grab your planner because it’s time to pencil some creativity! More than 140 April-June classes open for remember registration this Tuesday, February 7....

Celebrate Black History Month With Events In The Bay Area

February is Black History Month, and every year, the Bay Area celebrates the occasion with a myriad of events for all ages....

Please Welcome The Crucible’s Three New Board Members For 2023

As The Crucible continues to expand our relationships across Oakland and the Bay Area, we are thrilled to grow our Board of Directors in 2023. Please join us in welcoming B Byrne...

Job Opportunity: The Crucible Is Looking For A New Executive Director

As we enter our 24th year, The Crucible is launching a search for our next Executive Director (ED). The Crucible Board of Directors is working closely with search firm Koya...

Thank You For Spending Your Weekend At GIFTY!

Thank you to the thousands of visitors who attended our annual GIFTY craft fair and open house this past weekend! With rain forecasted for both days, we weren’t sure what to...

Executive Director Susan Mernit to Retire from The Crucible in February 2023

After four and a half years, The Crucible’s Executive Director, Susan Mernit, will retire from her role as of February 1, 2023. The Crucible has been incredibly fortunate to have...

Sharing Our Gratitude for Kelmen Wu This Thanksgiving

It’s the season of gratitude and we are so lucky to have a team full of dedicated individuals who keep our organization running. But this holiday, we wanted to take special care to...

Your Guide To January-March 2023 Classes Is Here!

Resolve to get creative in 2023! More than 130 January-March classes go on sale this Tuesday, November 1, including popular favorites, rare finds, brand-new offerings, and more....

Estate of Ronald Wornick Makes Large Wood Shop Donation

The Crucible is thrilled to announce the receipt of a large gift from the Estate of Ronald Wornick. The donation, which will greatly benefit our Woodworking Department, includes a...

Please Welcome Our New Open For Business Cohort

Last Tuesday, our newest Open For Business (OFB) cohort gathered for the first time, kicking off their three-month program. This is the second iteration of our entrepreneurship...

HOT! GLASS! BRUNCH! Is A Hot Hit With Members

This year, The Crucible is on track to reach 1,000 members—the largest number in our nearly 24-year history! Not only do Crucible Members have access to perks like early...

Plan A Perfect Weekend For You And Your Friends This October

Making art with friends and family is a guaranteed great time! In our 3-Hour Taster classes running this October 8 and 9, you and your loved ones can try out techniques in eight...

We’re Looking For A Senior Studio Supervisor—Is It You?

The Crucible is hiring for a full-time Senior Studio Supervisor position. This role oversees, supports, and coordinates a team of studio managers, shop technicians, studio interns,...

Arts & Crafts Nights Afford Crucible Studio Staff Creative Opportunity

Crucible studio staff are constantly putting their maker skills to work for our facility—fixing machines, upgrading equipment, and helping prep for classes are regular daily tasks....

Get The Scoop On October-December Classes In Our Latest Member Guide

Our final classes of 2022 are about to be here! With more than 100 October-December classes on the roster, there is something for every age and experience level....

High School Students Share Final Projects During 2022 Fuego Reception

This summer, after two years of pandemic-altered programming, we welcomed ten new and returning high school students to The Crucible for our annual four-week Fuego Youth Leadership...

When The Student Becomes The Teacher: Avery Lockwood-Johnston

In 2016, just before his freshman year of high school, Ben Lockwood-Johnston took his first Crucible class—Youth Blacksmithing Immersion. Over the next couple of years, he explored...

Please Welcome Taj Wilson and Melanie Moore As Our 2022 Acting Board Co-Presidents

The Crucible’s Board of Directors is a talented and dedicated group that helps guide our mission. Over the past few years, as we’ve navigated the pandemic, our Board of Directors...

Please Welcome Our 2022 Fuego Youth Leaders

This week, eleven high school students came together at The Crucible to begin their four-week Furgo Youth leadership Program. The program, now in its thirteenth year, is an...

Youth Return To The Crucible For 2022 Summer Camps—See The Pics!

Every summer, our studio comes alive as youth summer campers return for week-long offerings in the industrial arts. This summer, students will have the opportunity to cast metal,...

Meet Glass Blowing Department Co-Heads, Kate Drury and Sam Schumacher

Earlier this year, we relaunched our Glass Blowing Department with a greater community focus in mind. The idea was to expand our offerings to include free or subsidized programming...

Please Welcome Josephine Lee, Director Of Programs

The Crucible is pleased to announce Josephine Lee as our new Director of Programs. This role is crucial for developing and managing faculty, classes, events, community outreach,...

Relive The Magic Of Our 2022 Fire & Light Soirée And Art Auction

Over the past four months, The Crucible’s founding Open For Business cohort—Amy Alaman, Brandyn Willridge, Cori Pillows, and Komoia Johnson—have been building new skills in the...

The Crucible Is Hiring A Team Builds & Volunteer Programs Assistant

Be a part of our growing team! The Crucible is hiring a Team Builds & Volunteer Programs Assistant to support our Volunteer, Events, and Team Builds Manager. This is a part-time,...

Open For Business Closes Out With A Bang

Over the past four months, The Crucible’s founding Open For Business cohort—Amy Alaman, Brandyn Willridge, Cori Pillows, and Komoia Johnson—have been building new skills in the...

It’s Here—Get Your Guide To July-September Classes

No matter how old we get, there is always something magical about summer. And what better way to tap into the youthful spirit of the season than by learning something new?! Our...

ERV, Our Educational Response Vehicle, Returns In Style

We recently had the pleasure of reintroducing ERV (our fire truck-turned-Educational Response Vehicle) to the community during the Old Oakland Block Party hosted by Civic Design Studio....

2022 Youth Spring Camps—See Every Inspiring Project

Our 2022 Youth Spring Camps have the studio buzzing with creative energy. Campers have come up with some amazing projects, including a giant ceramic toothbrush, beautifully crafted...

Our Team Is Growing! The Crucible Is Hiring A Marketing Associate

The Crucible is hiring a Marketing Associate! This role is crucial in telling the stories of our community, artists, makers, and mission. The ideal candidate has experience in...

Surprise—We Have New April Classes And Your Member Guide Is Here!

Big news! Today, members can register for Crucible Glass Blowing classes for the first time since March of 2022—and we are ecstatic! The Hot Shop is the heart of our studio and the...

The Crucible is Hiring Foundry Instructors

The Foundry department at The Crucible is looking for instructors to teach Foundry classes at our 56,000-square-foot non-profit and industrial arts school in West Oakland....

KIPP Bridge Academy Students Explore New Educational Pathways Through Crucible Classes

On Wednesday, March 2, Mischelle Brown and ten of her students from KIPP Bridge Academy here in West Oakland arrived at The Crucible for the first in an eight-week-long series of...

The Crucible is hiring a director of Marketing and Ecommerce!

The Crucible has begun our search for a new Director of Marketing and Ecommerce! The ideal candidate for this role has direct experience both with the industrial arts and marketing...

The Society For Inclusive Blacksmiths Makes Crucible Scholarship Possible

The Crucible is thrilled to announce the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths scholarship for access to our blacksmithing department and smithy. The scholarship will cover the full...

April-June Classes Open This Week: Get Your Member Guide

Spring is just around the corner and that means it’s almost time to register for classes running this April-June. On Tuesday, February 8, members can register for dozens of...

The Crucible Hot Shop Relaunches With A Greater Community Focus

For the first time since March 2020, our Glass Blowing department is hosting a series of short-form classes for local educators and community program affiliates. These...

Get Your Week-By-Week Breakdown of The Crucible’s 2022 Youth Camps

The Crucible is excited to be releasing our schedule for 2022 Youth Spring & Summer Youth Camps! Art-making has the capacity to help kids and teens build confidence, develop...

Welding Department Head Mark Metz Sends 750 Pound Sculpture On A Cross-Country Journey

In Spring of 2021, The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County put out a national call to artists for the public art project—a call that found its way to our Welding Department...

Zeydi Gutierrez Joins The Crucible’s Board of Directors

Zeydi Gutierrez, prior strategic director of AB&I Foundry and longtime community member and supporter of East Oakland, has recently joined The Crucible Board of Directors. Zeydi...

McClymonds High School Students Show Up For Last In-Person Art Classes of 2021

A few weeks back on Wednesday, December 8, 32 McClymonds High School students joined us for a series of 3-Hour Tasters—the final free classes for McClymonds students of the year....

The Crucible Partners With SFMade For The Open For Business Program

The Crucible is excited to announce that SFMade and The Crucible were just awarded $275,000 from Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund to support Bay Area entrepreneurship....

The Crucible is hiring for a Development Associate

The Crucible is hiring a Development Associate! This is a great role for someone who wants to build their nonprofit fundraising skill and be positioned to grow in their role. You...

Spread the word! The Crucible is hiring for Director of Programs

The Crucible has begun our search for a new Director of Programs! The ideal candidate for this role has direct experience both with the industrial arts, and program administration....

Relive the Magic of GIFTY 2021 With All The Photo Highlights

Thank you to everyone who braved the storms this weekend and made it out to GIFTY 2019! Staff, faculty, and volunteers came together to make our studio shine, and all the months of...

Open Bike Shop Hours Give New Access To The Community

Having access to reliable transportation can be life-changing. That’s why this past September, we launched our Open Bike Shop Hours, a weekly event that offers local residents the...

When the Student Becomes The Teacher: C’Zarriah Davis Smith

As C’Zarriah Davis-Smith turns on the gas line and gathers her glass frit, a sense of calm falls over the flameworking studio. It’s a feeling often found in the presence of someone...

Everything You Need To Know To Have A Great GIFTY 2021

Are you ready for two days of epic shopping, industrial art demos, and family fun? We hope so because GIFTY is just around the corner! GIFTY 2021 is the best place in the Bay to...

Your Guide to January-March 2022 Classes Is Here!

Goodbye 2021, hello 2022, and hello to a slew of new opportunities to get creative in the new year. Our next member registration day is this Tuesday, November 9 and before classes...

Square Supports Local Small Businesses with Scholarships and Webinars

Following the challenges of the last two years, The Crucible is committed to hosting an equitable and inclusive 2021 GIFTY Craft Show and Open House. Thanks to Square, the...

Wheel Throwing (Finally) Comes to The Crucible’s Ceramics Department

Rosa Dorantes, The Crucible’s Ceramics Department Head, has been working with clay since she was in 7th grade, She proudly remembers having her early ceramics work displayed at her...

Explore Your Digital Copy Of The 2022 Crucible Magazine

We’re so thrilled to share the first edition of our new Crucible Magazine. This 60+ page volume features stories from our industrial arts community, photos of artwork created at...

Starting Nov. 1, vaccination or negative test required for entry at The Crucible. Vaccination required for all students Jan. 1, 2022

In response to Federal and statewide mandates for schools and other educational settings, starting November 1, 2021, The Crucible will require all staff, faculty, volunteers, lab...