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. For updates about all upcoming events, subscribe to our newsletter.
Important Dates
- December 23, 2023 – January 1, 2024: Crucible closed for winter break
- January 8 – January 12: Weeklong Adult Classes
- January 15: The Crucible’s 25th Birthday!
- February 29: Field Trip Day
- March 2: West Oakland Bike Summit
- March 7: Field Trip Day
- April 18: Field Trip Day
- May 9: Field Trip Day
- June 10 – July 26: Youth Summer Camps
- July 25: Fuego Youth Leadership Reception
- July 29: GIFTY vendor applications open
- August 12 – 23: Weeklong Adult Classes
- September 7: Fall Open House
- December 7 & 8: GIFTY 2024
Upcoming Events
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
Join us for a free, semi-monthly Crucible tour! Learn about the history of our 56,000-square-foot studio, the art and artists that make our space unique, and our nonprofit mission to keep the industrial and fine arts accessible to all.
To accommodate different schedules, tours alternate between Saturday afternoons at 2pm and Thursday evenings at 6pm.
Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis in person. Feel free to RSVP on Eventbrite: Free Crucible Tours! RSVPs made through Eventbrite are for reminder purposes only and do not act as a reservation. Tours are subject to cancellation.
Please note: a portion of the tour requires the use of stairs.
2024 Tour Schedule
Fall dates will be added soon!
- Thursday, January 25: 6pm
- Saturday, February 10: 2pm
- Thursday, February 22: 6pm
- Saturday, March 9: 2pm
- Thursday, March 28: 6pm
- Saturday, April 20: 2pm
- Thursday, April 25: 6pm
- Saturday, May 4: 2pm
- Thursday, May 23: 6pm
- Saturday, June 8: 2pm
- Thursday, June 27: 6pm
- Saturday, July 13: 2pm
- Thursday, July 25: 6pm
Can’t wait to see inside?
Check out our virtual 3D Tour by clicking the button below!
Browse Past In-person Events
Fireside Lounge, featuring Mark Growden’s The Calling All Choir
Friday, January 31, 2014 6:30 pm — 10:30 pm Musical performance begins at 8 pm $20 at the door / Free for Crucible members Buy Tickets Our January 31st Fireside Lounge will feature the season finale performance by The Calling All Choir, directed by artist, performer and musician Mark Growden. The musical performance will begin at 8 pm. Enjoy an art show showcasing the Jewelery, Ceramics, Blacksmithing, Stone Carving, Mold Making and Woodworking departments with works by The Crucible’s faculty, students, studio renters, volunteers and other affiliated artists. The Crucible faculty and students will be on hand to answer questions, display original works, and provide live demonstrations in disciplines including moldmaking, ceramics, blacksmithing, jewelry, stone working, woodworking, fire performance, and others. Register for a class during the Fireside Lounge are receive a 20% discount on tuition (25% for members). Become a Crucible member today. The Crucible’s Fireside Lounges are an opportunity to visit our studio space and experience a more intimate evening with our creative community, highlighting our extraordinary art programs.
Hot Couture Dazzles and Inspires the Community
With the fashion back on hangers, the runway disassembled and the fire poofers put away (for now), we wanted to take a moment and thank The Crucible community for helping make our second Hot Couture fashion show even hotter, more creative and dynamic than we dared imagine. We could not have put on two sold-out nights of fashion, fire and industry without the talents of our featured design teams including Alex Glowaski, Annamarta Dostourian, Avant Vouge, Bonde, Erin Mahoney and O’Lover Hats, Coyote Counter Collective, Heather Wakefield, Jeaneen Brunck, Latex Fashionistas, and SENSOREE Design Lab. Thanks to Bianca Starr Productions there was a method to our madness which showed off beautifully on the recycled aluminum stage donated by CASS. We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support from the press which included a front page feature of the San Francisco Chronicle Style Section. Hot Couture was also the Editor’s Pick at Diablo Magazine, East Bay Express and Flavorpill, and enjoyed positive reviews from Oakland Magazine, Oakland North, Oakland Local, Mercury News, Makezine Blog, Fecal Face, Examiner and Just Luxe Living. Were you inspired by what you saw at Hot Couture? Want to learn sewing basics? We have a class for that! How about lighting up your wardrobe with LEDs for the summer party season? We can help you demystify that Light Emitting Diode. Want to make fashion forward jewelry? Learn to design, anneal and shape a special piece, which until now only existed in your imagination. Or perhaps you want to get up on stage and dance with fire? – You’ll want to sign up for a Fire Performance class where you can learn to hoop, spin and even eat fire. Come and join the fun! Photo on right by Chris Willis. Jeaneen Brunck design.
Experience “Wild Tales” At Hot Couture 2014
We are extremely excited to showcase the wild and imaginative designs of local artists Angelique Benicio and Tansy Brooks at Hot Couture 2014. The multimedia costume designs with a “Wild Tales” theme have been created by Angelique Benicio with glass and metal accents by Tansy Brooks.
Hot Couture 2014 Nightly Runway Shows
On each night of The Crucible’s Hot Couture 2014 your ticket will let you experience three distinct runway shows. Each multidisciplinary performance will feature first-ever public viewings of stunning, cutting edge looks, and fire effects on the swirling fibonacci runway especially built for this event in our 56,000 sq. ft. West Oakland warehouse. Don’t miss a moment!
Hot Couture 2014 Designer Spotlight: Annamarta Dostourian
Raymond Van Tussel Photography Annamarta Dostourian is an artist and designer based in Berkeley, California who will once again be presenting a new collection at Hot Couture 2014.
Hot Couture 2014 Designer Spotlight: Heather Wakefield
Hot Couture 2014 Designer Spotlight: Heather Wakefield Heather Wakefield has been sewing things since she was a child. It really does not take much to get her going creatively and she describes her studio, Satellite Art Station, as “a large, timeless, magical place
2013 Holiday Gifty & Open House
Saturday, December 14 | Noon to 6 pm Sunday, December 15 | Noon to 5 pm 1260 7th Street, Oakland FREE Shopping at the mall was never like this! Get your last minute shopping done at the Bay Area’s most unique holiday bazaar while supporting local artists and community arts education for youth and adults. Check out exciting live demonstrations including welding, glass working, metal casting, blacksmithing and much much more. Catch amazing fiery performances and wander through a maze of vendors with handmade crafts, perfect for last minute gifts. Step into a maze of artist booths with The Crucible’s own and other local artists selling their beautiful handmade art. From glass, metal, wood, ceramics, clothing and more, you’ll find that perfect gift for even the toughest person on your list. Event Highlights Beautiful handmade art for sale by local artists Live industrial art demos in every room with instructors and students on hand to answer any questions you may have. Photos with Santa — Soul Catchers Foto will be on hand to take professional photos with the jolly man himself Great deals on bikes — The Crucible Bike Shop has a selection of quality used bicycles that have been fully rebuilt by our youth and volunteer mechanics. Stop by the bike shop at this year’s Holiday Gifty for a test ride. In addition to getting a sweet, reliable ride your purchase supports our Youth Earn-A-Bike Program, our Youth Mechanic Program and our Community Bike Fixathons. Learn More… Tasty food and drinks from local vendors available for purchase Current Vendor List Gifts McKeever Studios – stained glass Heart’s Desire Jewelry – gemstone, gold and silver jewelry King Bag Company – reused car upholstery bags RocknSocks – socks with personality Healing Essence – aromatherapy Malvoye Enterprises – handmade mirrors and jewelry E G Chu Handcrafted – handbound books and sock animals Flowtoys – glowing performance accessories Nightside Studios – glass beads Jewelry by Risto Feather Light Design – feather accessories and millinery Brenda Vansoi – ceramics T.Becker Jewelry Tchoupuce – polymer clay jewelry Goblinarium – sculpture Fleurette Sevin – art glass Krakenwhip – clothing and leather accessories Tara Hope Design – hip handmade jewelry Pretty Fun Design – vintage inspired jewelry and art Turned Wood by Jacques Blumer Tiny Bully – knitted accessories Nuu Jewelry Alpaca by Karim SugarSugarRayRay – clothing Artofactory – jewelry House of Honore Featherweight Finery – aluminum jewelry By Nieves – natural body care Field Day Wearables – consciously made clothing Saara Reidsema – jewelry Yes and Yes Designs – custom jewelry J Fish Designs – ceramics Medium Reality – clothing J Fein Designs – jewelry Mood Lights – handpainted glass lights Velvet Otterhound– Vintage redesigned Jewelry Alchemilla Jewelry Nous Savons Jewelry & Accessories Dreambird Art – painting and jewelry VRS by Victoria – jewelry Soul Catchers Foto Rusty Noodle Studios Red Frog Metal Design Alive Chiropractic – Food RoastCo The Cookie Department BOFFOCart Blue Saigon Truck Fist of Flour Pizza Farm Fresh to You Event Location & Directions The Crucible 1260 7th Street Oakland, CA 94607 Parking The Crucible has a very small parking lot on the corner of 7th & Union that will be […]
Nov. 10: 50 Years of Studio Glass
Saturday, Nov 10 and Sunday November 11 – 10am to 6pm Saturday, Nov 10 – 6-9pm This year marks the 50-year anniversary of the Studio Glass movement in the United States, and The Crucible is part of a national movement to celebrate this anniversary. The program follows the tradition of the California Glass Exchanges. San Jose State University glass instructor Dr. Fritz and his student George Jercich started the Glass Exchange with the goal of gathering the California glass community together to share skills and techniques. PROGRAM: Saturday, Nov 10 and Sunday November 11 – 10am to 6pm EXHIBITION RECEPTION AND AWARD CEREMONY: Saturday, Nov 10 – 6-9pm KEYNOTES: Suellen Fowler, Marvin Lipofsky, Richard Marquis, Susan Stimsmuehlen-Amend Demonstrations in the Crucible’s six glass studios: blowing, cold working, fusing, casting, neon and flame working areas. Panels and lectures featuring California glass artists who began working in each decade. Two-day Pop up exhibition of California glass artists 10-5 pm. Reception and Awards ceremony honoring contributions to the California glass community is scheduled for 6-9 pm Saturday Nov. 10,. honoring collectors, including Dorothy Saxe and artists who have contributed to our movement. Add your information to the “Living Glass Timeline” that will be created during the two-day event. We welcome glass artists of all decades who have worked in California to download and complete a Registration Form for inclusion on our Directory of California Glass Artists. See our website below. Ticket Information General Admission $15 per day Crucible Members and Students $10 per day To purchase tickets and reserve your spot, visit californiastudioglass.eventbrite.com The Oakland Museum and California College of the Arts are also sponsoring exhibitions and events to celebrate this anniversary and California glass artists. Keep an eye on our website as we’ll be adding additional links and resources in the coming weeks to help you highlight other events celebrating the American Studio Glass movement.
Press Releases
2013 Youth Build Leadership, Art, Life Skills In One-of-a-Kind Internship Program at The Crucible (7/23/13) The Crucible Hosts its Third Annual Playa Bound: Sale & Open House (6/21/13) The Crucible Accepting Vendor Applications for Burning Man-Inspired Event (6/7/2013) World-Renowned Artist Leads Larger Than Life Adventure at The Crucible (5/10/13) The Crucible Presents Fireside Lounge: Creation (5/9/13) The Crucible’s Bike Program in a Race to Win $25,000 through State Farm Neighborhood Assist’s Facebook Challenge (4/5/13) The Crucible Hosts 8th Annual Fire & Light Soirée and Art Auction (4/4/13) The Crucible Hosts “The Science of Art” Annual Open House(4/3/2013) The Crucible Offers Interactive Exploration of the Afterlife in “Asia Alive” Series(3/25/2013) The Crucible To Hosts Youths in Industrial Art Adventure (3/23/13) The Crucible Presents Fireside Lounge: Conception (2/3/13) The Crucible Sponsors Mission Girls for Behind-The-Scenes Preview of Hot Couture: A Fusion of Fashion and Fire (1/10/13) 2012 Oakland Art Space The Crucible Presents “Hot Couture: A Fusion of Fashion and Fire” (12/11/12) CASS Sponsors The Peralta Junction Project, an Experiment in Arts-Based Urban Space Activation (12/7/12) International Blacksmith Finds Community, Resources in West Oakland (11/10/12) One Hat One Hand & Commonplace Productions Welcome The Life Size Mousetrap to Peralta Junction (11/8/12) New Community Program Helps Veterans, Educators Learn Skills in the Industrial Arts (10/25/12) Peralta Junction Project Brings Economic & Social Vitality to West Oakland (10/17/12) 50 Years of Studio Glass Press Event (10/10/12) Molten Metal and Fire Replace Trust Falls in Today’s Team Building Workshops (9/28/12) Peralta Junction Project to Fuel Community & Creativity in West Oakland (9/25/12) Bay Area Art School The Crucible to Host the 7th Annual Fire & Light: Soirée and Art Auction July 21 (7/7/12) Burn Baby, Burn! Bay Area Industrial Arts School, The Crucible, Offers New Playa Bootcamp Workshops (6/14/12) Bay Area Summer Camps at The Crucible Get East Bay Youth Fired Up for Summer 2012 (5/12/12) Bay Area Art School The Crucible Set to Spark Creativity at ‘The Science of Art’ Open House April 7 (3/31/12) Oakland Industrial Arts School Celebrates Strength and Fire at February Fireside Lounge (2/9/12) Bay Area Industrial Arts Facility Kicks off 2012 with The Crucible Experience – A Celebration of Art, Industry and Community (1/27/12) It’s the Hottest Show in Town: Tickets Still Available to MACHINE: A World Premiere Fire Opera at The Crucible (1/14/12) Hot Bay Area Entertainment – Fire Opera: MACHINE Premieres Tonight at Oakland Foundry and Art School (1/11/12) 2011 East Bay Industrial Art School Announces Summer Immersion Classes for Kids and Adults (12/14/11) New Winter Industrial Art Classes and Fun Family Spring Break Activities Announced at The Crucible (12/6/11) Bay Area Industrial Art School Presents Locally Handmade Gifts at Holiday Shopping Sale and Open House (11/30/11) Bay Area Philanthropists Help Crucible Blaze New Territory by Melding Industrial Arts and Opera (11/23/11) Bay Area Industrial Art School Releases 2011 Holiday Gift Guide and Makes Six Recommendations (11/15/11) The Crucible Announces Its New Fall Deals and Benefits (10/18/11) World Premiere Fire Opera: MACHINE Tickets Now Available at Bay Area […]
Castaways to Treasures: Jewelry Sale
Join the Women’s Jewelry Association’s members and friends at The Crucible for a jewelry makers and manufacturers’ sale to find goodies from past collections, pearls, gemstones, findings, beads, tools and equipment at hugely discounted prices. Saturday, July 20, 2013 Noon to 4 pm The Crucible, 1260 7th St., Oakland Admission: $5 WJA members of designers, manufacturers, and store owners have treasure troves of leftover merchandise, and they are ready to sell at crazy sale prices. Bring your friends and get ready for fantastic deals. Vendors include: The Crucible’s Jewelry Dept. – stones, tools and books Mala Freedman Aine Carlisle C. Rose Clare Ulman Design Green Gem Foundation (Jeffrey Hunt) The Crucible’s Jewelry Faculty & Student – completed pieces and others Event Location & Directions The Crucible 1260 7th Street Oakland, CA 94607 >> Directions Parking The Crucible has a very small parking lot on the corner of 7th & Union that will be available for disabled placard parking only. Those spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are also two paid parking lots. One is on Kirkham Avenue and the other is the 5th Street lot by BART. Please do not park in lots owned by local businesses or the residential area behind The Crucible. Public Transit Ditch the car and don’t worry about parking – The Crucible is easily accessible by BART! From the West Oakland BART Station, exit onto 7th Street, turn right, and walk 2 blocks east to Union (at the 2nd light). The Crucible is on the northwest corner of 7th & Union, at 1260 7th Street.
Watch Past Virtual Events
Virtual Artist Talk: Rob Nehring
Please join us Friday, June 5, for our next virtual artist talk with Crucible faculty member, Rob Nehring, of our Welding Department. Rob has been a part of The Crucible community...
Virtual Artist Talk: Nico Chen
Please join us Friday, May 22 for our next virtual artist talk. We’ll be speaking with Nico Chen, writer, photographer, and critical learning scientist focused on reimagining...
Virtual Artist Talk: Lara Hopwood
During this Virtual Artist Talk, Oakland artist and fire performer, Lara Hopwood will discuss her early introduction to fire dance, how she goes about planning a fire performance,...
Virtual Artist Talk: Whimsical and Functional Glass With Sam Schumacher
During this Virtual Artist Talk, Oakland artist and founder of Rocket Glass Works, Sam Schumacher will discuss the inspiration behind his glass work....
Virtual Artist Talk: Creating Culture Through Ceramics With Rosa Dorantes
Please join us this Friday for a virtual artist talk with Oakland artist, Rosa Dorantes, an accomplished ceramist with over twenty years of experience. Since Rosa became The...
Virtual Artist Talk: Metalworking Beyond Borders With Karen Smith
Please join us this Friday for a virtual artist talk with Oakland artist, Karen Smith. We'll discuss her philosophy on art-making, how it influences her artistry and metalwork, and...
Virtual Artist Talk: Repujado History, Family, and Culture
Join The Crucible for our first-ever virtual artist talk with Oakland repujado artist, Rachel-Anne Palacios. We'll discuss her metal embossing practice and how her work reflects...