Jonathan Hyman studied fine art at the College of Marin and has been an industrial artist since 1971. Known as "The Tigster" Jonathan is certified in titanium, nickel, and stainless steel, MIG and TIG welding and is classified as a welder/fabricator. His sculptures are featured in private collections throughout the U.S. Jonathan recently collaborated in the production of the West Berkeley Gateway over I-80, providing specialized welding fabrication for the stainless steel elements in the monumental sculptures that symbolize the city, its people and its activities.

Jonathan can be found at The Crucible on Wednesday evenings, teaching his popular class, Sculpting with TIG, where those with previous experience with TIG welding learn the finer details and special techniques of TIG welding.

The artwork of Oakland based sculptor Cynthia Handel explores the relationship between organic and inorganic forms. Handel derives inspiration from everyday objects such as tables, vessels, seedpods and other organic and man made structures. Handel notes, "Examining my work, I realize I work intuitively, creating elements, collecting parts that reflect what and how I see and respond to my surroundings."

Cynthia Handel is a sculptor who has been teaching cast metal for the last ten years. After receiving her MFA from San Jose State University, Cynthia was assistant professor at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA, developing its comprehensive casting program including iron casting. She has taught at Sonoma State University, San Jose State University and other Colleges in the Bay Area, and teaches foundry and moldmaking here at the Crucible.

Cynthia's work combines cast elements with steel, wood and other materials such as silk and beeswax. Process and materials are as significant to Handel as form; through casting, welding, carving, and building - each piece is the result of multiple layers of decision-making. Elements are added, subtracted, and re-worked to create rich surfaces. Handel chooses materials that exist on opposite polarities - the permanence of steel and bronze contrast with the fragile delicacy of beeswax, silk and salt.

See some of Cynthia's work January 15 - April 30, 2009 at:

Gallery 555 - Oakland Museum
555 12th Street, Oakland, CA
Open and free to the public. BART, AC Transit and Wheelchair accessible.

Ceramics
Finding Happiness through Creative Self-Expression

Tachina Rudman-Young is an artist, a performer, and a teacher who has been working passionately in clay since 1993. She works primarily in figurative clay sculpture, and has shown her work in various juried and group shows throughout the Bay Area. Tachina received two BA's from San Francisco State University: Fine Arts (Ceramics) and Dance (Performance, Education, Ethnology), and has created a body-breath based creative process called Open Your Heart Through Art© that integrates movement and art into both her personal work and her classes. Tachina is passionate about facilitating growth, healing and happiness through creative self-expression. She works with people of all ages and life-conditions, using art as a means to connect with oneself and create a more fulfilling life. "Being able to express myself creatively has been one of the most transformative, healing and empowering things in my life," says Tachina. "And because it's helped me so much personally, I am committed to sharing it with as many people as I can through my classes. It's really super fun and deeply satisfying."

Whether she's teaching a Figurative Sculpture class with a model, a recycled art workshop, or a parent-child clay class, Tachinia is committed to supporting people on their journey towards personal fulfillment and love, encouraging them to be the most wild, daring, and outrageous version of themselves possible. Tachina teaches ceramics and creative process classes at The Crucible, and offers art/movement workshops throughout the Bay Area. Learn more about Tachina's work at www.openyourheartart.com.