EVENTS

Since 1999, The Crucible has brought our community of artists, neighbors, families, students, and makers together for events ranging from artists’ talks and demos to fire performances, benefits, and community open houses. In-person events are all currently suspended due to the shelter-in-place mandate. For updates about all upcoming events, subscribe to our newsletter.

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Important Dates

February 23: Field Trip Day
March 5: Bike Fix-A-Thon
March 7: 2023 Youth Summer Camps open for Member registration
March 11 & 12: 3-Hour Tasters
March 23: Field Trip Day
March 13 & 14: 3-Hour Tasters
May 11: Field Trip Day
May 20: Fire & Light Soirée and Art Auction
June 4: Bike Fix-A-Thon
June 12–July 28: Youth Summer Camps
August 15–26: Adult weeklong classes
September 3: Bike Fix-A-Thon
December 2–3: GIFTY Craft Show & Open House
December 23, 2023–January 1, 2024: Crucible closed for winter break

Upcoming Events

Bike Shop: Free Events and Education

See our Bike Shop event page for upcoming event dates.

The Crucible is offering free, community bike maintenance and education to West Oakland and neighboring community members through our quarterly Bike Fix-A-Thons, Open Bike Shop Hours, Femme Bike Night, and Flat Fix Clinics. Drop off your bike for a tune-up or learn basic bike maintenance skills from our faculty and volunteers. We are also leading offsite events at other West Oakland locations.

Free Crucible Tours

Explore our 56,000-square-foot studio during an upcoming guided tour. To accommodate different schedules, tours rotate between Saturday afternoons at 2pm and Thursday evenings at 6pm every other month. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours are subject to cancellation.

2023 Tour Dates

Thursday, April 20, 2023, 6-8pm
Saturday, May 13, 2023, 2-4pm
Thursday, June 15, 2023, 6-8pm
Saturday, July 8, 2023, 2-4pm
Thursday, August 17, 2023, 6-8pm
Saturday, September 9, 2023, 2-4pm
Thursday, October 19, 2023, 6-8pm

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Browse Past In-Person Events

Lie-Nielsen Toolworks Hand Tool Event

Friday, September 22, 2017 • 10am-6pm Saturday, September 23, 2017 • 10am-5pm We are hosting a free community event with Lie Nielsen Toolworks, showcasing their top-notch woodworking hand tools. Come see how quality hand tools can make your woodworking projects easier, with demonstrations by Kevin Drake of Glen-Drake Toolworks in Fort Bragg, California.

The Crucible’s 2017 Fall Open House

Saturday, September 9, 2017 • 12 - 5pm Designed to give you a peek into the programs and events we run all year long, our open houses are a wonderful way to experience the excitement of The Crucible!

2017 Fire & Light Soirée and Art Auction

Saturday, April 8, 2017 • 6pm Save the date for an evening of art, industry, community, creativity, and fire in support of The Crucible’s education programs. Join us in celebrating the contributions and vision of honoree Dr. Frances Hellman, who has been a valued member of The Crucible’s community for more than a decade.

Hot Couture 2017: The Beautiful Ones

Thursday, February 16, 2017 • 8pm Friday, February 17, 2017 • 8pm Saturday, February 18, 2017 • 8pm Sunday, February 19, 2017 • 7pm Since 2007, haute couture has been turned on its ear, Crucible-style, with Hot Couture — a spectacular flaming fashion show that features wearable art from the Bay Area’s most cutting-edge designers.

GIFTY 2016

Dozens of leading artists, craftspeople, and Crucible faculty members will be selling their best hand-made pieces in a holiday celebration of local creative culture. With works of glass, metal, wood, ceramics, and more, you will find the perfect gifts for all the people on your list. Seasonal treats, beverages, and entertainment make this an event all ages will enjoy. Parents of small children will need to pay special attention, as this space does have rough edges. Saturday, December 10, 2016 | 11am-5pm Sunday, December 11, 2016 | 11am-5pm On Saturday and Sunday, we’ll have music, food, and drinks for sale, as well as demonstrations of Crucible areas of study. Our themed Open House events are a great way to learn more about our 56,000 square foot studio and seasonal class offerings. Member preview on Friday, December 9, 2016 | 7-9:30pm Like last year, we’ll host a special preview for members and invited guests on Friday evening. If you would like to attend the Friday preview, but are not yet a member, join here. GIFTY highlights: Live industrial arts demonstrations like glass blowing and foundry pours Enameling and stamping for Copper Quilt commUNITY art project Hands-on clay activity in Ceramics Studio (Saturday and Sunday) Bicycles for sale in The Crucible’s Bike Shop Crucible gift certificates available Tickets available for our annual Hot Couture fire fashion show Drawing for a free Crucible class $25 discount on a class, if registered during GIFTY Raffle for a New Belgium Fat Tire bike Oakland Youth Symphony brass trio performing Friday, 7:30-8:30pm A dazzling collection of work by local artists and artisans Local gourmet goodies: Fist of Flour Pizza Co. (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) Donut Savant (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) Slojoy Coffee (Saturday, Sunday) Share the Facebook events: Friday, December 9 at 7 PM – 9:30 PM Saturday, December 10 at 11 AM – 5 PM Sunday, December 11 at 11 AM – 5 PM

Jewelry Studio Reopening

Jewelry Reignited: A Studio Transformation to Get Fired Up About Over the past few weeks, we’ve made big changes to our Jewelry Studio. These enhancements will give each student an improved workspace with better tools at their fingertips as well as provide access to more tools for CREATE members. Renovation highlights: Ten brand new benches provide a dedicated, delineated workspace for every student Five brand new SR series flex shafts allow us to put these powerful tools at each bench New daylight lights at each bench with adjustable arms that focus the light where it’s needed Five Knew Concept saw frames New chairs for improved ergonomics and comfort Thorough cleaning and fresh paint Studio reorganized for better workflow and space utilization Locks on every bench enable us to store tools in the workstation drawers, readily available Power outlets at each bench will make it easier for casting students to use electric wax pens Jewelry Studio Reopening Mixer Please join us on Thursday, November 10, 2016, 6:30-8:30pm for a reception celebrating these improvements. Guests have a chance to win a free Crucible class, jewelry donated by Melissa Joy Manning, and gift cards from FLAX and Otto Frei. It wouldn’t be a Crucible event if you didn’t learn something; we’ll have a jewelry demo at 7pm and you can swap tricks of the trade with The Crucible’s fantastic jewelry community as you mingle. This event made possible by our sponsors: See the Facebook event at: facebook.com/events/1118872518231340/

Fireside Lounge – Fall 2016

Fireside Lounge Open House Friday, October 28, 2016 | 6:30-9:30pm Join us for an evening celebrating local dreamers and creators, as we host some of the Bay Area’s most influential makers and artists. The Crucible’s Fireside Lounge illuminates the world of original artists, collectives, and innovators who create movements “Made in Oakland.” The Crucible’s Fireside Lounge lets you see demonstrations of our industrial and fine arts for yourself. Catch exciting demonstrations and hands-on activities with Crucible faculty, including Glass Fusing & Slumping, Glass Flameworking, Glass Blowing, Glass Casting & Coldworking, Enameling, Neon, Bike, Machine Shop, and Paper & Textiles. We’ll also have live performances of fire eating, poi, and fire staff, as well as interactive fire effects. Explore The Crucible’s studio and learn about our extraordinary art programs, while sipping wine and beer in a unique atmosphere. TART! Oakland and Zella’s Soulful Kitchen will be serving up tasty treats. A gallery of remarkable work by students and faculty will be on display, including art by the Ceramics studio, Daniel Stauber, and Rusty Noodle Studios. And you’ll have a chance to win a free Crucible class in a drawing. We are truly excited to have the opportunity to display a FLUX Foundation sculpture at Fireside Lounge. Flux Foundation aims to engage people in designing and building large-scale public art as a catalyst for education, collaboration, and empowerment. PoppyWagon is part of the FLUXcycles series of mobile sculptures that FLUX artists started creating in 2011. Originally made for the 2014 Maker Faire in San Mateo, PoppyWagon is a whimsical fire sculpture with bright orange buds inspired by the California Poppy burst and flames that you control with the push of a lever. The wagon is a custom-made cart designed and fabricated by FLUX artists. We’ll see you October 28th for an evening of art, industry, community, and entertainment. This event is free and open to the general public. All are welcome! However, parents of small children will need to pay special attention, as our studio space does have some rough edges.

Hot Couture Artist and Designer Application

Call for Fashion Designers and Industrial Artists Application submission deadline at 10pm on September 25, 2016 The Crucible is seeking designer and artist submissions for Hot Couture 2017, our annual show integrating bold design, visionary fashion, and fire accessories. Our four-night event, February 16-19, 2017, will feature artists and designer teams creating haute couture concepts that illustrate the intersection between fashion, traditional industrial materials, and fabrication. For Hot Couture 2017, we are inspired by the boundary-defying showmanship of Prince. He embodies what we want for our fire fashion show: innovative artistry, iconic fashion, perpetual creativity, bold vision, and lots and lots of love. Like his collaboration with other talented artists, we encourage designers to build strong runway presentations that celebrate diversity and funk and excellence in all its forms. As such, the theme for the next Hot Couture will be “The Beautiful Ones”. The Hot Couture fashion shows will take place Thursday, February 16 to Sunday, February 19, 2017. The final dress rehearsal (open to the community) will be on Wednesday, February 15. An initial run through/fire rehearsal will be on Friday, February 10. The Crucible will provide a materials stipend for each designer/team selected. Designers will have access to The Crucible for meetings, production rehearsals, and several fabrication tools. All artists and designers will be credited for their work and the contracted designer will receive four complimentary tickets for one of the shows (night TBD). The Crucible will hire and staff all production details for the runway show. This includes lighting, pyrotechnics, ticketing, security, hospitality, and front of house. Designers are responsible for hiring their own models, makeup artists, and hair artists. Application process: Professional and amateur designers are welcome. To submit an application for inclusion in our next Hot Couture performance, send your biography, contact info, and proposal to [email protected] Larger format files can be sent via dropbox or hard copies delivered in person to The Crucible. Please include the following in your submission: Minimum 500-word biography detailing your experience or desire to create wearable art. Include any details of past experience, exposure with runway shows, relationship to The Crucible, as well as name, address, email, phone number, and links to social media and/or websites. Minimum four head-to-toe wearable looks to be created for the runway. Sketches or photographs (jpegs) are acceptable formats. Designers will be allowed to have up to 8 designs during their walk in this year’s show. All completed looks must be imaginative and well executed. Wearable is a guideline. We ask that designers incorporate some sort of fire into their runway show and/or designs. All designs should be flame resistant. Women’s and men’s fashions are accepted and encouraged. Hair, makeup, and music ideas must also be included as part of the descriptions for each look. List of team members, including hair, makeup, models, or musicians, if known. Designers are responsible for enlisting their own models, as well as hair and makeup artists. Each team will be allowed one model per outfit (4-8), up to four artists/assistants and one photographer. Most designers submit music via […]

Tools to Table Open House

Tools to Table: Fall Open House Saturday, September 10, 2016 | noon-5pm Celebrate and explore the tools and techniques of creating and consuming food and drink! Tools to Table will feature over a dozen areas of interest: featured food and spirit vendors, creative collaborations, and onstage demonstrations. Guests will catch amazing fiery performances, see exciting demos in our studios, and explore our student and faculty art show displaying the creativity of The Crucible artist community as it relates to tools and utensils. Our themed Open House events are a great way to learn more about our 56,000 square foot studio and seasonal class offerings. This year, we are thrilled to announce that our neighbor, James Syhabout, Oakland born and reared, acclaimed chef of two-star Michelin-rated chef of Commis and Hawker Fare will be joining us for a butchery demonstration at 4pm. Chef James is working with a local bladesmith, Jeff Pringle, to create a custom hand forged knife as part of the collaboration and celebration of Tools to Table. Chef James will butcher a 35-pound pig, which will be donated to St. Vincent de Paul. In addition, Hawker Fare and Commis will be selling pork buns and garlic rosemary peanuts! Billy Hiebert will be making candy molds for limited edition cast chocolate coins by Jordan Michael Schuster. Billy is a “sculpturally committed” artist with a lifelong dedication to integrating the processes, materials, techniques, and activities related to clay modeling, molding, casting, and carving. Bay area native, Jordan was long ago nicknamed “Really Wonka” in homage to his penchant for producing chocolatey mischief and glorious delectables in equal measure. Adam Lamoreaux, our neighbor at the Beer Shed, will be serving a few of his favorite beers in glassware sandblasted by Daniel Stauber. After founding Linden Street Brewery in 2009, Adam, with wife Alice, have been part of countless community projects, social gatherings, and civic services. As The Crucible’s Workshops Manager, Daniel brings together teams of people to create something in the industrial arts. A portion of sales will be contributed to The Crucible. On the main stage: 12:30pm: Fire Performance: Lara Hopwood and Shaina Johnson 1pm: Flameworking demonstration: Michael Dickinson 2:30pm: Fire Performance: Lara Hopwood and Shaina Johnson 3pm: Cocktail demonstration: Roya Spirit signature cocktail with mixologist Erica Compton 4pm: Bladesmithing and butchery demonstration Chef James Syhabout and Jeff Pringle All studios will be doing demonstrations, including: Cocktail glasses made in our glass blowing department Pedal-powered smoothies with a bicycle blender Butchering demonstration on the main stage Waffle-making in our foundry with a special Crucible-designed sandcast waffle iron Hammered forks and spoons in the smithy Chocolate casting in our moldmaking studio Fire performance Learning opportunities, interactive activities, and artful displays: Art gallery walk Unveiling of our pre-apprentice program public art sculpture in the front yard Local artists and small businesses with wares for sale Drawing for a free Crucible class $25 discount on a class, if registered during the event Local food vendors will be on site to tempt your palates: Eat Play Events & Catering Zella’s Soulful Kitchen ChickPea Chick Far Leaves Tea Donut Savant No Worries Cuisine Truck […]

Fireside Lounge May 2016

Friday, May 6 | 6:30-9:30 pm Demonstrations | Hands-on activities | Art show Learn about classes | Performances FREE admission & open to all Celebrating Oakland First Fridays and Oakland Art Murmur, The Crucible’s Fireside Lounge is an intimate evening of art, industry, community and entertainment. This exclusive engagement takes place in The Crucible’s studio and highlights our extraordinary art programs. Explore the creative passions of professional artists and the educational opportunities available, while sipping wine and beer in our unique atmosphere. A gallery of remarkable artwork by students and faculty will be on display and live performances are scheduled throughout the night. Join us for an evening of makers, innovators, dreamers, and creators, as we celebrate “Made In Oakland.” We will host an industrial art show, live industrial arts demonstrations, and music. Music is courtesy of Hassan El-Tayyab from American Nomad Music, with sets at 7pm and 8pm. Fantastic food vendors will be on hand including TART, Mr. Pops and Keena’s Kitchen! FREE admission, open to all. Discounts on upcoming Crucible classes will also be available. Demonstrations Catch exciting demonstrations and hands-on activities with our own Crucible faculty, in disciplines such as: MIG Welding TIG Welding ARC/OXY Welding Moldmaking Ceramics Blacksmithing Jewelry Stone Working Woodworking And many others! Art Show & Sale Stroll through a curated gallery with pieces selected from The Crucible’s community, including faculty, artist studio renters, students, staff and volunteers. These works showcase the skills learned and perfected through the industrial arts classes we teach here. For example, a fantastic oscillating sculpture by metal and fire artist Ryon Gesink will be on display — see a video of this hypnotic piece here. Check out the market row of unique, handmade works in our Train Bay. In addition, Crucible staff and faculty will have select items available for sale. Take home a piece of The Crucible! The Crucible’s Fireside Lounge lets you see demonstrations of our industrial and fine arts for yourself. It is open to the general public and kids are welcome. However, parents of small children will need to pay special attention, as our studio space does have some rough edges!