Classes
It’s Here! Your Guide To 2020 Fall Classes
By Cathy Niland | 8.14.2020
Welcome to our 2020 Fall Classes Guide! This Tuesday marks our first member registration since the Covid-19 pandemic forced our doors closed in March. Since then, our staff has been working tirelessly to reimagine a Crucible that is safe and creative for all. After four weeks of modified Youth Summer Camps and a small sampling of adult classes, we have been adjusting and perfecting our Health And Safety Guidelines, designed to keep you, your fellow students, our faculty, and staff safe.
Students arriving at The Crucible in the coming months will find a number of changes, including increased sanitizing stations, foot pedal operated sinks, temperature checks on entry, and clearly marked pathways for navigating the studio. Ensuring our studio is as safe as possible remains our number one priority, but helping you stay creative is a close second!
To help you find your next class, we’ve highlighted some of our upcoming offerings below, like the popular Bicycle Mechanic Workshop and Woodturning I, and rare classes like The Bandsaw Box and Women’s TIG Welding I.
With class sizes having been reduced to accommodate social distancing, early access to registration is more valuable than ever—and only Crucible members get first dibs! Not only that, members also get 10% off their class tuition—always! Become a member today to secure your spot before public registration opens Tuesday, August 25.
Be Prepared For Changes In Your Next Class
We strive to create a welcoming environment to encourage creativity in a safe and responsible way. We ask that you carefully review our 2020 Adult Classes Health and Safety Guidelines for detailed information on how we are implementing best practices in our studio space. Some highlights are below.
Masks are a must
Everyone is required to wear a 100% cotton mask—no bandanas. If you need help finding a cotton mask check out our Artist Mask Guide.
Health checks at entry
Upon arrival, studio staff will complete your health questionnaire, take your temperature, and have you sanitize your hands before entering.
Follow all posted signage
Please pay attention to all new signage outlining our guidelines and pathways for navigating the space to help keep you and your fellow students safe.
Max 6 person/class
In order to ensure adequate physical distancing in the classroom all class sizes are capped at six students or fewer.
Limiting surface contact
We’ve installed foot pedals at our bathroom sinks to limit touching faucets and covered shared use surfaces with an antimicrobial coating.
Individual tool sets
Many classes have introduced individual tool sets so that students don’t have to share. Each set of tools is sanitized between classes.
Your 2020 Fall Classes Guide to September-October Classes
Browse our picks for popular favorites, rarities, continuing classes, and more!
Rare Finds
With limited seats available, these classes are more rare than ever!
Bicycle Mechanic Workshop
Perform a complete tune-up on your own bicycle! You will learn the names of the components and the tools used in a professional shop.
Bell Casting
Bell Casting introduces participants to bell design and the lost wax foundry technique, providing a foundation for further exploration in this versatile foundry approach.
Exploration in Chainmaking
You will learn to manipulate wire through the selected use of hand tools, making jump rings, splicing wires together, and fusing jump rings shut to make woven and Etruscan chains.
Women’s TIG Welding I
Learn welding taught by and for women and gender-expansive individuals! Using cold-rolled steel, this course starts with a series of small exercises and progresses into a challenging technical project.
The Bandsaw Box
In this class, you will learn to design, make, and finish a unique wood box using a combination of power tools and hand tools.
Stone Carving
With hammer and chisel, you can enjoy the satisfaction of turning a raw piece of stone into a unique creation. All tools will be provided.
Spoon Carving By Hand
Learn basic principles of woodworking while making your own carved wooden spoon. Students will learn to use a combination of power and hand tools.
Sheet Metal Forming with Evan Wilcox
Learn how to form sheet metal into tanks, fenders, and fairings, using gas-aluminum welding, a planishing hammer, an English wheel, and hand forming tools.
Continuing Classes
Build on the skills you’ve already developed in our continuing level classes.
Glass Fusing and Slumping II
This class is a great way to continue your study of glass slumping and fusing. You will design and create your own slumping molds using different materials, such as clay, fiber,...
Ceramics II
Ceramics II is designed for students who have successfully completed Ceramics I and are looking to further advance their knowledge and creativity in working with clay. Students...
Blacksmithing II
Deepen your knowledge in this sequel to Blacksmithing I. This class is designed to develop your basic skills along with techniques including scroll-making, collaring, basic...
Foundry II: Ceramic Shell Process
This class is for people with metal casting experience who have completed waxes to cast. We can also accommodate 3-D printed PLA (best unpigmented). Students will prepare their...
Jewelry and Metals II
Further develop your basic metalsmithing skills. We will teach disk cutting and doming, bezel setting, three types of rivets, and further design techniques. In addition to...
Glass Flameworking II
In this intermediate course, we expand on the fundamentals and investigate the intricacies of borosilicate glass flameworking in more involved projects and contemporary designs. In...
Glass Flameworking Lab
Lab sessions are a great benefit, exclusively for Crucible members! Practice the skills you learn in class and explore new possibilities with your craft. No instruction is provided...
Ceramics Lab
Lab sessions are a great benefit, exclusively for Crucible members! Practice the skills you learn in class and explore new possibilities with your craft. No instruction is provided...
Glass Beads II
This intermediate class explores new bead making skills, tools, and materials. Shape beads into hearts, flowers, or animals. Experiment with new techniques, including drawing with...
Neon Lab
Lab sessions are a great benefit, exclusively for Crucible members! Practice the skills you learn in class and explore new possibilities with your craft. No instruction is provided...
MIG and TIG Welding Lab
Lab sessions are a great benefit, exclusively for Crucible members! Practice the skills you learn in class and explore new possibilities with your craft. No instruction is provided...
Stone Setting
Develop your stone setting skills by learning techniques for stones of all shapes and sizes! You will learn the prong, tube, and flush settings using sterling silver. Stones are...
Large Ceramic Forms
Explore techniques for making larger ceramic forms that can survive the kiln! Make a ceramic sculpture or planter, while practicing handbuilding techniques like coiling and...
Glass Fusing and Slumping Lab
Lab sessions are a great benefit, exclusively for Crucible members! Practice the skills you learn in class and explore new possibilities with your craft. No instruction is provided...
Popular Favorites
These classes always fill up fast—don’t wait to register!
Blacksmithing I
Learn the basics of blacksmithing! This class teaches the fundamental skills needed to forge steel and understand blacksmithing tools
Woodturning I
You will learn the basics of the turning process on the lathe and cover tool usage, sharpening, wood selection, preparation, and finishing.
Indigo Dyeing and Shibori
Learn to create unique patterns on fabric. You will use folding, tying, and binding resist techniques to dye four cotton napkins and one tote bag.
Elegant Stacking Rings
Learn basic soldering and metalworking techniques to make a set of stackable rings from sterling silver, copper, brass, and gold fill.
Neon I
Light up your life with neon! In addition to hands-on instruction in tools and techniques, this class includes discussion of design and aesthetic considerations.
Beginning Marbles
After an intro to melting and shaping borosilicate glass, complete several marble designs, including the clear gravity marble, the outside twist, the ribbon, or the eyeball.
Youth Class Offerings
We are bringing back our popular youth class offerings with daytime youth classes this fall!
Keep Reading
Hiroki Fukushima In Memoriam
Hiroki Fukushima passed away peacefully at his home in San Francisco on August 21, 2024. He lived fully every moment dedicated to his artistic work and family. During his...
Christian Schiess In Memoriam
Please join The Crucible in honoring and remembering the life of Christian Schiess, longtime faculty member and department head at The Crucible, who passed away at 11am, September...
Jolie Karno in Shoutout LA
This past Thursday, February 23, more than 180 students and educators from across the East Bay gathered at The Crucible for our first Field Trip Day in three years....
Celebrate Women’s History Month With These Bay Area Events
Throughout March, we’ll be recognizing the remarkable contributions of women past and present, as part of Women’s History Month. Check out local Women’s History Month events...
Black History Month In The Bay Area: Your 2024 Events Calendar
Every February, The Bay Area celebrates and recognizes the myriad contributions of Black Americans to our local and national culture during Black History Month events....
Test Your Crucible Knowledge: 25 Facts for 25 Years
It’s hard to believe, but 2024 marks The Crucible’s 15th anniversary! Since first opening our doors on January 15, 1999, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting thousands of artists,...