Classes
At The Crucible, classes are designed for beginners as well as experienced artists and tradespeople. The Crucible’s educational programs serve over 8,500 people each year in over 175 classes and workshops. Our hands-on classes average one instructor for every six students, guaranteeing that each student receives personal attention.
Our Departments
Shop Upcoming Classes
Enamel Drawing
Line drawings can evolve into beautiful pieces of decorative or wearable art when interpreted in vitreous enamels on copper. Students will practice using transparent enamel to...
Youth Mexican Tin Art
Learn how to create tin art inspired by repujado and hojalata done in Mexico. After a brief history of the tradtional cultural practice and demonstration of techniques, emboss your...
2023 GIFTY Vendor Options
The Crucible’s GIFTY is an annual celebration of local creative culture, featuring art vendors, industrial art demonstrations, class discounts, giveaways, and fun for the entire...
Scholarship Fee
Once you’ve paid you’ll receive a receipt via email. If you have any questions about your 2023 Youth Summer Camp scholarship, please contact sespinoza@thecrucible.org ...
Plique-a-Jour: Stained Glass Enameling
Plique-à-jour (open to light) is the most admired of the many enameling techniques with French names. Enamel is fired into a backless frame creating a luminous effect similar to...
Throwing in Sections
In this intermediate to advanced class we will explore throwing large forms in parts on the wheel using measurements and heat to assemble a large pot! Students will then return the...
Stone Carving II
In this focused class, students will recreate a leaf in limestone using mallet and chisels. They will start by making a basic model of a leaf in wet clay to show depth and movement...
Pate-de-Verre Ornaments
One of the earliest techniques of glass manipulation, pâte-de-verre or “paste of glass” is a versatile kiln casting technique that uses glass paste. In this ornament focused...
3-Hour Taster: Framed Milagros
Design and fabricate framed Milagros inspired by traditional Mexican artwork and iconography. Create metal imagery like hearts, hands, and nature honoring the special moments in...
Ceramic Ornaments
Glaze your own ornaments to give to your loved ones! You will select three pre-fired ornaments to paint and glaze, learning about glazing techniques and color application. After...
Kiln Cast Glass Sculpture
Create one of a kind glass sculpture using wet clay. We will use ceramic sculpting techniques to create a solid shape that will be transformed into glass. Learn the basic skills...
Glass Bead Hearts
Open your heart to soft Italian glass, while making unique glass bead hearts in beautiful colors. Using table top Bravo torch, students will shape glass into heart beads, while...
Sand Blasting Imagery on Glass
Come learn some of the many ways we can use the sandblaster to etch images onto glass. In this three week intensive you will learn design principles for transferring images onto...
Youth Chibi: Miniature Figurines Weekend
Learn the basics of preparing, shaping, sculpting, cane making, and baking polymer clay. Use brightly colored clay to make small sculptures known as chibis, incorporating them into...
Youth Sandblasting
In this fun class you will use the Crucible cold shop to etch onto your own glass dishes and drink ware. You will learn to express your ideas in graphic images, how to hand and...
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Scholarships
For Youth & Adults
The Crucible offers full and partial scholarships for youth and adults who would otherwise not be able to participate in classes or camps. We prioritize scholarship awards to low-income households, youth and adults living and/or attending school in West Oakland or the East Bay, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth and families.
Registration Details
See our current youth and adult offerings here. New classes are added every 2-3 months.
- Early Member registration for April-June 2023 classes: Tuesday, February 7
- Public registration for April-June 2023 classes: Tuesday, February 14
- Early Member registration for 2023 Youth Summer Camps: Tuesday, March 7
- Public registration for 2023 Youth Summer Camps: Tuesday, March 14
If you have any questions related to your upcoming class, please email registrar@thecrucible.org