Community
HOT! GLASS! BRUNCH! Is A Hot Hit With Members
09.28.2022
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 registration and 10% off class tuition, but their membership fees also help support the many free and subsidized community programs we run each year.
To thank them for their continued support, we recently launched HOT! GLASS! BRUNCH!, a members-exclusive event featuring live demonstrations from our Glass Blowing department. The event also includes a tour of our 56,000-square-foot studio, complete with information on the history of our surrounding West Oakland neighborhood.
Executive Director, Susan Mernit leads a tour of members and their guests through The Crucible. Photo by Joyce Shulman.
Reintroducing Our Members to the Studio
On Saturday, September 18, we held our inaugural event for nearly 30 members and their guests. While munching on delicious pastries from Ann’s Catering, folks mingled with fellow members and met Crucible administrators before touring our facility. HOT! GLASS! BRUNCH! marks the return of our beloved studio tours which have been on pause since early 2020. The program has been reimagined as a member benefit, with plans to offer paid tours to the public in early 2023.
“We’ve made so many building upgrades and launched a number of new programs over the past few years,” shared Development Manager and HOT! GLASS! BRUNCH! organizer, Shaina Johnson. “Sharing that with our members over brunch and bubbles seemed like a great way to let them know how much we appreciate their support.”
Following their tour, folks gathered in the Hot Shop to see a live glass blowing demonstration from faculty members, Louisa Saunders and Simha Furaha. The pair highlighted what is known as a “Swedish Overlay” wherein a glass bubble is turned inside out over another to layer different colors, visible on the surface of the finished piece.
“Together, Louisa and Simha have a wonderful way of demystifying this medium without taking away any of its magic. We are so lucky to have them as teachers and presenters!” said Shaina.
With our Hot Shop programming having only returned in January of this year, many members have yet to see the space in action before now. We were thrilled to see so much enthusiasm for our debut event.
Photos by Joyce Shulman
Strengthening Our Member Community
HOT! GLASS! BRUNCH! affords Crucible Members the chance to further dial into our community and understand the impact of their membership. Until now, there have been limited opportunities for members to meet each other, staff, and our Board in a purely social setting. Shaina elaborated on the goal of the event. “We really want to welcome members to the space, hoping the next time they come in, they’ll recognize a friendly face. Or that they get acquainted with someone they share a creative interest with and maybe buddy up for a workshop or another event.”
Our next HOT! GLASS! BRUNCH! will be held on Sunday, October 9. If you’re a Crucible member interested in attending, please email our Development Manager, Shaina Johnson, via development@thecrucible.org.
Not a Crucible member yet? Join hundreds of Bay Area creatives and start accessing your member-exclusive perks today. We can’t wait to host you at our Next HOT! GLASS! BRUNCH!
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