By Kristin Arzt

Last Saturday, our community gathered to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of The Crucible with fire, art, dancing, delicious drinks, and good company. Party-goers were first greeted with a fire garden of art displays made by Crucible artists, and were invited to make a wish at the fire globe with an intention for the next twenty years by writing their wish on a piece of paper and letting it burn in the fire.

Making a wish in the fire garden.

Our Department Heads and community members displayed their artwork in a gorgeously-curated art gallery. “I feel blessed to have found this community, and I was pleased to have my work on display tonight. I never imagined seeing it like this, among a host of other wondrous works from our super creative community,” Eric Blanpied, Woodworking Department Head, shared.

Speeches by Executive Director Susan Mernit, former Board President Charles Olson, Department Heads Chris Niemer and Rosa Dorantes, and current Board President Warren Breslau moved the crowd as we toasted to the 20th Anniversary with our St. George’s Spirits cocktails and Old Kan & Co. beers. Crucible staff, faculty, and board members blew out the candles on a delicious cake!

Executive Director Susan Mernit inspires the crowd.

Interactive LED displays by community member Christopher Schardt and an amazing DJ set kept the crowd dancing! Our Blacksmithing Department built a new smelting furnace, and smelted 11 pounds of iron from magnetite sand, a fiery demonstration of how iron is made that had everyone amazed.

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate community, creativity, and forging the future, and has supported The Crucible’s mission for the past twenty years. We couldn’t do it without you! Enjoy our favorite moments from the evening below. If you were unable to attend, please join us in celebrating our 20th anniversary throughout the year.

Keep reading…