2020 Fuego Youth Leadership Reception
Join us for our first-ever virtual Fuego Youth Leadership Reception on Friday, August 7 from 6-8pm PST.
In past summers, Fuego Youth Leaders have held an in-person gathering following the completion of their program to share finished projects with family, friends, and Crucible community members. This year, because we cannot gather in person, we are hosting the Fuego reception live on Zoom. Any and all interested in seeing the work of our Fuegos and learning more about the program are invited to join!
Did you miss our live 2020 Fuego Youth Leadership Reception?
Catch the highlights from each Fuego Leader below!
Meet our 2020 Fuego Youth Leaders
Max Arellano, Age 18
Fuego Youth Leader in Blacksmithing
Max returns to the Smithy this summer for his third year of Blacksmithing and second year as a Fuego Leader. Like last summer, he’s drawing inspiration for his project from his passion for music. In his first year as a Fuego Leader, Max forged a sheet music sculpture featuring a segment from “The Song Of The Blacksmith.’ This summer, he’s combining nature and music by creating a set of wind chimes from five hand-forged leaves. Max plans to continue developing his skills as a musician while studying biology.
Follow Max on Instagram @metal.and.music
Lauren Bartlett, Age 18
Fuego Youth Leader in Leather Working
A recent graduate of Head Royce School, Lauren returned to our 2020 Fuego Program prepared to tackle another ambitious leather working project. She spent last summer creating four impressive oversized leather insects and two multi-panel spherical hand-bags. This year, during our shortened program, she’s creating an intricate and sculptural goldfish purse! Lauren has taken 17 Crucible classes since 2011 and makes work in a variety of mediums. Lauren dreams of one day running a sustainable floating farm, but first plans to get her degree in art.
Follow Lauren on Instagram @ren.bartlett
Leslie Kwok, Age 16
Fuego Youth Leader in Jewelry
At just 16 years old, Leslie has taken seventeen Crucible classes since 2015, including three sessions of our Youth Jewelry Immersion Program before becoming a Fuego Youth Leader last summer. She also has experience in fine and performance art. When she’s not creating, Leslie enjoys rowing and listening to music. This summer she is creating avant-garde jewelry pieces inspired by face masks and celestial bodies. Leslie is currently taking graphic design and architecture classes outside The Crucible and plans on pursuing a career in sustainability-oriented architecture while continuing her artistic practice.
Follow Leslie on Instagram @leslies.artsy.bois
Elisa McCormick, Age 17
Fuego Youth Leader in Welding
Elisa is a self-proclaimed lunatic who loves welding, metal, and fire. Her passion for the STEM subjects brings her closer to welding. Elisa plans to continue exploring her passions in the future with plan to become a mechanical engineer and a sculptor. A prolific maker, Elisa is known for working impressively fast without giving up craftsmanship. She has already completed one large sculptural piece in the first days of our 2020 program and started on her second last Friday—a 40-gallon dragon coffee press!
Follow Elisa on Instagram @elisa_projects
Alexandra Otani, Age 18
Fuego Youth Leader in Glass Flameworking
After creating a beautiful phoenix during last year’s Fuego Program, Alexandra plans to tackle a series of birds and branches in glass. Alexandra says she “possesses an odd mixture of perfectionism and impatience—and it works out just as well as it sounds!” One of her favorite things about the Fuego Program is teaching, which she hopes to continue doing in the future, either at The Crucible or in her own studio. Alexandra is also a synchronized figure skater and will be attending UCLA to study Biophysics.
The Crucible remains dedicated to supporting our youth and emerging youth leaders.
We are so proud of our second year Fuegos and hope you enjoyed this glimpse into what they have been hard at work on this summer. You can support our Fuego Program and future youth leaders by becoming a monthly donor.
