Immersion Workshops in the Bay Area

The Crucible Immersion Workshops are designed to give students, beginner level to advanced, an opportunity to do a deep-dive study in a particular curriculum area. Over the course of five days, you will learn theory, principles, and extensive techniques that will give you the necessary skills to work independently. Each day will consist of six hours of instruction with four hours of optional open lab time in the evening, with the exception of Friday which will be a full 8 hour lab day. Lunch and dinner will be provided. The workshop week will conclude with a dinner and artist reception, on Friday evening, where artists will have their work on display to talk proudly about. Friends and family will be welcome and can join the dinner for a fee.

Come experience The Crucible in an intense learning program that will foster new skills and develop the artist in you. No experience is necessary to take these art classes. Sign up now for this incredible opportunity to indulge in the lifestyle of a full time artist.

2012 Immersion Program runs July 16-20!

Check out The Crucible's Youth Immersion Program!

Blacksmithing Immersion Workshop

By the heat of a 2500 degree forge, you will heat raw steel until it is white-hot and moldable like clay. Using blacksmithing tools, such as, hammers, an anvil, punches, hot cuts, drifts, the fly press, the power hammer, guillotine and spring die sets you will learn to transform the shape of metal into hand-crafted projects including components of a small table that you will complete by the end of the workshop.

In a supportive and encouraging environment, you will be taught fundamental blacksmithing techniques including precision hammering and control, twisting, tapering, upsettting, punching, splitting, drifting, twisting, and texturing. Joining techniques such as riveting, tennons, banding, and knotting will also be covered to expand and build on your skills.

During this workshop, you will work with a professional blacksmith to learn 3D design and construction techniques. You will have the opportunity to construct a project of your very own design during the open lab. We will have a library of metal working books and sample projects for inspiration.

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Glass Flameworking Immersion Workshop

Over the flame of a 4000 degree torch, you will learn to transform the shape of glass using flameworking tools such as graphite marvers, paddles, and marble molds, as well as tweezers, mashers, steel mandrels, paddles, reamers, and more. You will melt, shape, and transform tubes and solid rods of glass into marbles, beads, flowers, insects, monsters, and hollow ornaments.

In a supportive and encouraging environment, you will be taught flameworking theory and principles including rotation, gravity, reading the heat base, hot/cold seals, gathering, condensing, tension, annealing, color theory and application, chemistry and physics. Fundamental techniques such as shaping, glass blowing, bead making, and sculpting will be taught to expand and refine your skills.

During this exciting workshop, professional glass artists will guide you through the techniques of working with borosilicate and soda-lime glass (soft glass). You will have the opportunity to construct projects of your very own design during the open lab. We will have a library of glassworking books and sample projects for inspiration.

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Glass Blowing Immersion Workshop — New for 2012!

With heat from the belly of a 2000 degree furnace, you will transform the shape of molten glass using traditional tools such as marvers, jacks, paddles, straight and diamond shears, optic molds, wood blocks, as well the paper, the punty and the blowpipe. You will manipulate and shape hot glass into paperweights, flowers, drinking vessels, bowls, bottles, sculptures, small vases and more.

In a supportive and encouraging environment, you will be taught glass blowing theory and principles including rotation, gravity, form, control, thermal stress, bit work, annealing, color theory and application. Fundamental techniques such as gathering, marvering, transferring, necking, trimming, sculpting, attachments, wraps, as well as, bench and blowing technique will be taught to expand and refine your skills.  Safety and teamwork are a key focus of working in the hot shop.

During this exciting workshop, professional glass artists will guide you through the techniques of working with hot glass. You will have the opportunity to construct projects of your very own design during the open lab. We will have a library of glassworking books and sample projects for inspiration.

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Welding Immersion Workshop — New for 2012!

With an electrode to strike an arc of electricity, more than 3000 degrees, you will learn to join and cut metal to create a series of custom projects using tools such as a MIG welder, TIG welder, and plasma cutter.  Safety and use of fabrication shop tools such as the horizontal band saw, sheerer, the notcher, drill press, hydraulic pipe bender, hole punch, pipe roller, sheet roller, and the finger brake will also be taught.

In a supportive and encouraging environment, you will learn welding theory and principles including conceptual design, drawing to communicate your ideas, design development and detailing, material selection, sourcing, purchasing, and metal terminology.  Fundamental techniques such as basic hossfeld bending, oxy/acetylene bending, fabrication, connections (tapping, bolting, screwing, riveting), grinding, and finishing will be taught to expand and refine your skills.

During this exciting workshop, a professional fabrication artist will guide you through the techniques of working with mild steel and recycled materials. You will have the opportunity to construct projects of your very own design during the open lab.  Furniture, sculpture of all types, and lighting are all encouraged.  Projects will be discussed and evaluated for feasibility and cost, given the one-week timeframe. We will have a library of metal working books and sample projects for inspiration.

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Coming From Out Of Town?

Are you coming from out of town and need a nice, budget friendly place to stay in the Bay Area? We've worked a great deal with Executive Inn & Suites in Oakland. Set on Oakland's estuary, midway between Oakland Intern ational Airport and Downtown, this hotel is just a few miles from The Crucible and a has many great room options. FREE: Shuttle to downtown and BART locations, Internet Access, Parking and Continental Breakfast. Special rates for friends of The Crucible start at just $69, with water view suites available at $109. To get these great rates, reserve on line at: www.executiveinnoakland.com Enter your arrival and departure information, then select "group code" and enter Crucible