Newsletter Nov 08

Events
• Holiday Gifty Art Sale & Open House
• 10th Anniversary Fire Ballet

Crucible News
• Arts Funding Saved
• Must-See TV

The Crucible Recommends
• The Perfect Holiday Gift
• Radical Jewelry Makeover Exhibition
• E-Scrip

Faculty Focus
• Warren – Glass Cold Working

Join The Crucible Community
• Call for Instructors
• Volunteering

Glass Flameworking
Working over an open flame you’ll create marbles, pendants and more

Intro to Jewelry & Metals
Experiment with different techniques and make a sterling silver ring

Woodturning
Discover the lathe and how you can turn a piece of wood into a beautiful bowl.

{Sign Up Now}

The days may be getting shorter, and the weather a bit nippier, but it’s always hot here at The Crucible, and there are still some fall session classes where you can experience the excitement of creating.  You’ll find day, evening and weekend classes; the hardest part is choosing which area you want to work in:

Light:
Intro to Neon, Demystifying the Light Emiting Diode (LED),
EL-Wire Workshop

Metal:
Beginning TIG, Intro to MIG, Intro to Welded Sculpture

Clay:
Sculpting in Clay, Classical Clay Portraiture

Jewelry:
Intro to Cast Resin and Silver Jewelry, Bead Casting

Glass:
Core Vessel Forming, Cold Working Glass, Fusing & Slumping, Kiln-Cast Glass

Not sure you want to spend 5 weeks pounding mental or melting glass?  You can learn basic techniques and create a unique piece of art in just three hours.  Choose from Blacksmithing, Glass Flameworking, Glass Fusing, Jewelry, MIG Welding, Resin Casting or Sand Casting.   Morning and afternoon Holiday Tasters run December 6th and 7th, 10AM – 1PM and 2-5PM.

{Click Here to Learn More}

Learning a specialized skill is an exhilarating experience for any youngster, and if that’s not reason enough to sign up, here’s another one:  Each paid enrollment enables us to offer a scholarship for a youth otherwise unable to have such an experience, so you give the gift of creativity twice.

{Click Here to Learn More}

Our Girls Welding project started earlier this month with 12 girls from KIPP Academy working on a project called “Reflection of Self,” with a reception planned for later in the year.

The wildly popular Frame Alteration class is starting with 17 youngsters who will learn to design and build an art bike of their own using advanced welding and fabrication techniques; they will show off their creations at the upcoming Gifty.

{Learn More About Youth Programs}

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Holiday Gifty Art Sale and Open House              FREE ADMISSION!
December 13th & 14th   10AM – 4PM

Likely to be the Bay Area’s most unusual shopping experience, at The Crucible’s Gifty you can shop for handcrafted holiday gifts while experiencing art in action.  Over 50 vendors will offer their handmade jewelry, paper products, glass creations, sculpture, clothing, ceramics and more.  Check out live demonstrations and hands-on activities, family-friendly fire and circus performers, and enjoy seasonal treats throughout the day.  It’s a Crucible tradition for Santa to arrive in a most untraditional way, and the world’s tallest elves will be on hand with their unique brand of holiday cheer.  Don’t miss it!

{Click Here to Learn More}

AC Clothing and Bags	Pretty Fun Jewelry	Brad Adams	Shaya Durbin	Fixed Gear Gal

In an original twist on the tale of Dracul, the father of Dracula, the story reveals the beginning of the vampire legend in a way only The Crucible could imagine. Set during the age of industry, it’s a dark tale of passion, fire and blood.

{More Information & Purchase Tickets}

Parental Note: This show contains mature content and situations that may not be suitable for young children.

{Learn How You Can Help}

Arts Funding Saved (for now)

Thanks to the many people who helped tell the City of Oakland how important the arts are to our community and economy. We’re happy to report that at the recent City Council meeting the Council recognized the hundreds of art supporters attending, and declined to cut cultural arts grantee funds this year. That doesn’t mean that arts programs are out of the woods; along with the entire arts community, The Crucible continues to rely on the ongoing support of our members, students, and visitors to our events to help keep the creative fires burning!

Must-See TV

We’ve seen a lot of video cameras around The Crucible lately; check your local listings for these programs featuring our faculty and facilities:

Mythbusters recently visited The Crucible’s foundry to see whether diamonds could be made from iron. The process involved melting iron, then immersing the remaining bits in an acid bath. Did it work? You’ll have to tune in to Mythbusters early next year to find out.

If you subscribe to Comcast On Demand, you’ll get a chance to see The Crucible profiled on their “Best of the City” program next year.

Makers, tinkerers and DIY-ers of all types will be happy to see that the folks from Makers Faire and Make Magazine have started a PBS TV show: Make TV. One of their first segments focuses on the history of women in welding, and will include footage of our students working on the new access ramp.

Give the gift of creativity with a Crucible Gift Certificate. Available in any amount over $50, Crucible Gift Certificates are redeemable for classes, events, memberships or merchandise, so your recipients get exactly what they want.

To purchase a Gift Certificate, call or visit The Crucible during office hours, Monday-Thursday 10AM to 7PM, Friday 10AM to 2PM. 510.444.0919 Ext. 103

Check out fresh, unique, 100% recycled jewelry that was created by teams of volunteer metalsmiths at several locations throughout the Bay Area. The Crucible joined in this project by collecting donated old jewelry and running a workshop to transform them into new pieces for the exhibition. Sales will benefit Ethical Metalsmiths’ efforts to educate and connect people with responsibly sourced materials.

{Click Here to Learn More}

To check out pictures from the class and to see some of the jewelry made check out this Flickr stream.

Shopping with eScrip
The easy way to support The Crucible’s programs

Here’s How it Works:  Visit www.eScrip.com and click on “Sign Up”

1. Follow the prompts to register your existing loyalty cards, Macy’s card or debit and credit cards for use in the program.
2. Then shop at participating merchants with your registered card; they will make contributions to The Crucible based on purchases you’ve made using the cards you have registered.
3.  Your purchases are tracked and available to you online, allowing you to see just how much you are earning on The Crucible’s behalf!

Here are just a few participating merchants that will donate 2% to 10% of your purchase to The Crucible:

You will find many more merchants on the eScrip website, and when you register, you’ll receive periodic updates on new merchants and special promotions.

{Click Here for More Info}

Warren – Glass cold working
Warren has been cold working and kiln casting glass for more than 20 years. His education includes four years of study with the Glass Department at the California College of Arts and Crafts (now called California College of the Arts), one semester of study in the Czech Republic, Kiln Casting at Pilchuck Glass School with David Reekie in 1989 and Glass Engraving, also at Pilchuck, with Jiri Harcuba in 1999. Warren also acquired lots of cold working experience by having worked as Clifford Rainey’s cold working assistant for nearly four years. Upon leaving CCAC Warren promptly opened his own cold working studio, where for eight years he has offered cold working services to dozens of San Francisco Bay Area glass artists.

Today Warren teaches glass engraving and other cold working techniques at The Crucible as well as maintaining his studio where he works full time creating his own kiln cast and engraved art work. Warren has shown his work in many Bay Area galleries, has successfully completed dozens of commissioned works, both architectural and private.  You can visit his website at rabbitdenstudios.com.

We are always looking for talented instructors who have a passion and skill to share.  If you have a great idea for a class, or are qualified to teach skills in metal, fire, light and more, we want to talk to you.  Contact Rob Nehring at rob@thecrucible.org or 510.444.0919 x102 to learn more about becoming a part of The Crucible.

During the next few months we will have several opportunities for volunteers to assist us as we prepare for holiday and anniversary events.  If you can lend a hand, we’d love to hear from you.

{Click Here to Learn More}