Events
Since 1999, The Crucible has brought our community of artists, neighbors, families, students, and makers together for events ranging from artists’ talks and demos to fire performances, benefits, and community open houses. For updates about all upcoming events, subscribe to our newsletter.
Important 2024 Dates
- January 8 – January 12: Weeklong Adult Classes
- January 15: The Crucible’s 25th Birthday!
- February 29: Field Trip Day
- March 2: West Oakland Bike Summit
- March 7: Field Trip Day
- April 18: Field Trip Day
- May 9: Field Trip Day
- June 10 – July 26: Youth Summer Camps
- July 25: Fuego Youth Leadership Reception
- July 29: GIFTY vendor applications open
- August 12 – 23: Weeklong Adult Classes
- September 7: Open Studios
- December 7 & 8: GIFTY 2024
- December 21, 2024 – January 1, 2025: Crucible closed for winter break
Upcoming Events
See our Bike Shop event page for upcoming event dates.
The Crucible is offering free, community bike maintenance and education to West Oakland and neighboring community members through our quarterly Bike Fix-A-Thons, Open Bike Shop Hours, Femme Bike Night, and Flat Fix Clinics. Drop off your bike for a tune-up or learn basic bike maintenance skills from our faculty and volunteers. We are also leading offsite events at other West Oakland locations.
Free Crucible Tours
Join us for a free, semi-monthly Crucible tour! Learn about the history of our 56,000-square-foot studio, the art and artists that make our space unique, and our nonprofit mission to keep the industrial and fine arts accessible to all.
To accommodate different schedules, tours alternate between Saturday afternoons at 2pm and Thursday evenings at 6pm.
Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis in person. Feel free to RSVP on Eventbrite: Free Crucible Tours! RSVPs made through Eventbrite are for reminder purposes only and do not act as a reservation. Tours are subject to cancellation.
Please note: a portion of the tour requires the use of stairs.
- Thursday, May 23: 6pm
- Saturday, June 8: 2pm
- Thursday, June 27: 6pm
- Saturday, July 13: 2pm
- Thursday, July 25: 6pm
- Saturday, August 10: 2pm
- Thursday, August 22: 6pm
- Saturday, September 7: 2pm
- Thursday, September 19: 6pm
- Saturday, October 5: 2pm
- Thursday, October 17: 6pm
- Saturday, November 2: 2pm
- Thursday, November 14: 6pm
- Join us for GIFTY December 7th and 8th
Can’t wait to see inside?
Check out our virtual 3D Tour by clicking the button below!
Browse Past In-person Events
Call for Entries: “Aural Machina”
Call for Entries: “Aural Machina“ DEADLINE: Tuesday, November 16, 2010. Exhibition Dates: Dec 16 – Feb 4 Guest Juror: Daniel Yasmin The Crucible’s Cathedral Gallery is looking for Bay Area artists to participate in our upcoming group sculpture exhibit Aural Machina. We seek sculptural works of art that produce sound and can be considered an “instrument” – and we are open to any interpretation of what an instrument is. Both traditional and experimental work will be considered as long as the work is constructed by hand and made with the intention to create sound. We especially encourage artists with work that has an interactive element to apply. Eligibility: • Artwork submitted must be 3D or have a 3D sculptural element. • Artist(s) must be living and/or working in the Bay Area. • Artwork must be able to fit through a standard door (80” x 36”). • The artwork submitted must be available for the listed exhibition dates. Submission Materials: • Completed Submission Form – Download Submission Form • Artist Statement and Biography for each artist (1 page max, portrait requested) • Up to 5 IMAGES of artwork. (5 maximum permitted.) – Submit ONE FULL view image and ONE DETAIL image for each submission. – Images should be in HIGH QUALITY JPEG format (72 dpi, 1115x 1440 pixels min). – Images should be orientated correctly. – Name files with artist’s last name followed by the entry number as noted on the entry form (i.e. jones1.jpeg, jones1detail.jpeg, etc). – Video documentation should be submitted for interactive or kinetic work, via an online video link or video file burned to CD. To Submit: Email all forms, statements, digital images to: [email protected] Important Dates: Tues, Nov 16 Submission DEADLINE Mon, Nov 22 Notification of Acceptance Dec 4, 5, 6 Art Drop Off Thurs, Dec 16 Opening Reception, 6-9pm Fri, Feb 4 Closing Show, 6-9pm Send Email Submissions and Questions to: [email protected] or call Daniel Stauber at (510) 444-0919 X106
Delirium’s Feign
The Crucible’ Cathedral Gallery presents October 21 – November 12, 2010 Show Opening Reception: Thursday, October 21st, 6-9PM Gallery Closing Reception: Friday, November 12th, 6-9PM Ushering in the fall and onset of All Hallow’s Eve, this exhibit will feature works that challenge the sublime, complicate the surreal, make you question what is before your eyes and maybe even make you question your own sanity… Delirium’s Feign is a sculpture show that will exhibit the irrational, the disillusioned, the malformed, the deviant, the mutated, work that can be categorized as daunting, disorienting . . . that may even be conceived to ride the edge of madness. Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-2pm, First Fridays 6-9m The Crucible’s Cathedral Gallery 1603 Broadway @ Telegraph, Downtown Oakland (map) Free Admission Right by the 19th Street BART Station. Press Release for Media Show Flyer (jpeg)
Evening at The Crucible – October 2010
An Evening of Flamenco, Art & Fire Friday, October 15, 2010 6:30 – 9:30PM The Crucible 1260 7th Street, Oakland Directions $10 suggested donation at door Tasty food and beverages available for purchase This is a family friendly event. Press Release for Media Event Flyer (jpeg) The Crucible presents an Evening @ The Crucible on Friday, October 15, 2010, from 6:30-9:30pm, a Flamenco-infused evening filled with live flamenco music, Spanish food and drinks and Crucible industrial arts demonstrations highlighting glass blowing, glass fusing, glass cold working, machining and kinetic arts. This evening will feature the world premiere of El Fuego Fatuo a story of love, temptation and betrayal based on the ancient legend of the fuegos fatuos: spirits that appear in marshlands and graveyards as plumes of fire in the night. Most fear this fire, while others seek to possess it. Imagine the passion of live flamenco music and dance infused with fire, aerial, blacksmithing, glass work and kinetic machines all on one stage. Crucible Founder and Creative Director Michael Sturtz will bring flamenco dancers Juan Del Valle and Rose Nisker together for the first time for this groundbreaking collaboration. Juan Del Valle wowed crowds with fire and flamenco dance at The Crucible’s 2008 and 2009 Fire Arts Festivals. Rose Nisker recently dazzled attendees at The Crucible’s production of HEAT: A Fire Cabaret with her combination of aerial silks and flamenco dance. Temperatures will rise as Juan and Rose join together to create El Fuego Fatuo in two 25-minute acts. They will be joined by Crucible blacksmithing instructor Chris Neimer, who will hammer hot metal into passionate forms to the flamenco beats. This is a standing room only event with very limited seating for folks with disabilities. Guests will enjoy featured live demonstrations of and mini lectures on glass blowing, machining and kinetic art throughout The Crucible studio, as well as a spectacular art exhibition showcasing student and faculty art. Aslo Sign up for a fall Crucible class during the evening and receive a discount. Dancers: Juan Del Valle, Rose Nisker and Melissa Cruz Musicians: Vocals & Original Lyrics: Roberto Zamora, Piano & Vocals: Clara Rodriguez, Guitarist: Dan Fries, Percussion: John Martin of “Cerro Negro”, Flute: Rebecca Kleinmann, Bass: Hans Winold Artists: Chris Neimer and Daniel Yasman Class Discount – Tonight Only! Register for a class during this event and save 20% or even 25% off class tuition for the fall quarter. – New students receive a 20% discount – Crucible members receive a 25% discount * Class cost comprises tuition and studio costs; discount is on tuition only. Discount cannot be applied to classes for which you have already registered. There is limited space for discounted tuition available in each class, and this offer cannot be combined with any other offers, volunteer/intern hours or coupons. Not good for Family Fun Weekends, Tasters, Labs or CREATE access. We are located just two blocks from West Oakland BART Station.
Evening at The Crucible – October 2010 – Recap
An Evening of Flamenco, Art & Fire Friday, October 15, 2010 • 6:30 – 9:30PM Press Release for Media Event Flyer (jpeg) Thank you to all that attended The Crucible’s Evening @ The Crucible on Friday, October 15, 2010. Our Flamenco-infused evening was a hug success! We hope to carry this series of evenings into 2011 as the “Fireside Lounge.” Stay tuned for upcoming dates. {youtube}qX4QGq8MdX4{/youtube} {morfeo 39} A special thank you to our cast: Dancers Melissa Cruz flamenco Juan Del Valle flamenco and fire Rose Nisker flamenco and aerial Musicians Daniel Fríes guitar Roberto Zamora vocals Hans Winold bass John Martin percussion Rebecca Kleinmann flute Clara Rodrigue piano and vocals Frank Giordano percussion and sound Chris Niemer blacksmith percussion Story and Direction Juan Del Valle website Fire and Stage Effects Michael Sturtz Original Lyrics Roberto Zamora Musical Direction Daniel Fríes Original Compositions Clara Rodriguez Rebecca Kleinmann Choreography Melissa Cruz Juan Del Valle Rose Nisker Spanish Web Coach/Setter Janene Davis Thank you to all the cast members for their ideas and creative input. Thanks to La Tania for coaching Rose Nisker in flamenco so that she could realize her inspiration to combine aerial and flamenco dance. Thank you to Isaac Rappaport of Phoenix Rising for the crash course in fire staff and to Patricia Chavez for the quick lesson in fire breathing. Juan Del Valle’s costuming in scene two is from PhoenixRisingArtists.com. Rose Nisker’s gown is by Kim Haugan. Thanks to Andrea “La Canela” for bringing her culinary imagination to this event.
Call for Entries: “Delirium’s Feign”
Call for Entries: “Delirium’s Feign“ Deadline for Entries is October 1, 2010. The Crucible’s Cathedral Gallery is looking for Bay Area artists to participate in their upcoming group sculpture exhibit, Delirium’s Feign. Ushering in the fall and onset of Hollow’s Eve, this exhibit will feature works that challenge the sublime, complicate the surreal, make you question what is before your eyes and maybe even make you question your own sanity… For this exhibit, all sculptural mediums used at The Crucible are eligible, including large and small-scale sculpture in metal, glass, clay, wood, virtually anything cast, kinetic, etc. We are looking for work that exhibits the irrational, the disillusioned, the malformed, the deviant, the mutated, work that can be categorized as daunting, disorienting . . . that may even be conceived to ride the edge of madness. This Exhibit will run October 21st – December 3rd, 2010 at the Crucible’s Cathedral Gallery located at 1603 Broadway in Downtown Oakland in the historic Cathedral Building. The Cathedral Gallery’s Mission is to promote public engagement in Crucible workshops and events and to showcase the diverse community of fine and industrial artists in the Bay Area. INSTRUCTIONS TO SUBMIT: 1. Complete Submission Form. Click Here to Download Submission Form. There is a limit of 5 submissions per artist. Prepare images as specified below: • Submit ONE FULL view image and ONE DETAIL image of the each submission. • The images MUST meet the following specifications: Files should be named as such artist’s last name followed by the entry number as noted on the entry form (i.e. Jones1.jpg, Jones1detail.jpg, Jones2.jpg, Jones2detail.jpg, etc.). • The image files should be in HIGH QUALITY JPEG format (images should be no smaller than 1115 X 1440 pixels and 72dpi). • Images MUST be oriented properly. • If entry is interactive or kinetic, please include a VIDEO LINK/ or a VIDEO FILE in your submission. 3. E-mail the “Submission Form” and Images to: [email protected] (We prefer E-mail in our effort of being eco-conscious. If E-mail is not an option, submissions may also be mailed or dropped off to: The Crucible c/o Daniel Stauber, 1260 7th Street, Oakland, California 94607 during business hours Monday-Thursday 10-6, Friday 10-2) 4. Deadline for Entries is October 1, 2010. No late submissions will be accepted. Notifications of acceptance will be October 6, 2010. Art drop-off will begin October 16, 2010. The Opening Night is October 21, 2010. This Exhibit will be running October 21st – December 3rd, 2010. Please forward to others who might be interested.
Fall Community Open House 2010
We know you’ve driven by a thousand times wondering what goes on here. Well now’s your chance to come find out! Fall Community Open House Celebrating Art & Community Saturday, September 11, 2010 12PM to 4PM The Crucible Directions… Interested in participating in this exciting event? Exhibitor Information… Artshow Application Closed – Art Show Info We will be hosting an expo of several amazing community organizations that bring vital and important services to our diverse neighborhood, and an art show highlighting the talents of our students and faculty. Our Open House is a wonderful way to experience many of the fabulous things West Oakland has to offer. This is a family-friendly event with circus and fire performances, food and fun for all ages and the best part – it’s FREE! Event Activities Include: • an expo of amazing organizations committed to serving the Oakland community • exciting live industrial art demonstrations in welding, glass working, blacksmithing and more • a fiery metal pour in our foundry • hands-on activities for all ages • a spectacular art show showcasing the creativity of Crucible students • fabulous live performances of fire, music and dance • the opportunity to interact with our instructors and students to learn more about The Crucible and our classes We’ll also have the opportunity for folks who sign up for classes that day to take advantage of a fabulous discount! Crucible members will receive a 25% discount and new students will receive a 20% discount off regular class tuition. Exhibitors Attending: Civic Pride Kinetic Arts Center Oakland Pride Oakland School for the Arts People’s Community Partnership Federal Credit Union Richmond Spokes Scotland Youth and Family Center Studio One West Oakland Library West Oakland Senior Center We are just two blocks from West Oakland BART station! Fall Community Open House Art Show Application This is for Crucible Students, Faculty and Staff. Saturday, September 11, 2010 – 12-4PM Applications are CLOSED. Art Show Contact: [email protected] – Phone: (510) 444-0919 x123 Fees and Payment There are no entry fees. For work that is for sale, all payments (cash and checks) will be made out directly to each artist. However, we ask that each artist give a 20% donation of sales to The Crucible’s general fund. If you are unable to attend the open house, we still encourage you to submit your work. Unsold work and payments can be picked up during the times listed below. Artwork Drop-Off: The Crucible’s Main Office • Tuesday, September 7th – Thursday, September 9 • 10AM-6PM All pieces must be labeled or they will not be accepted. NO pieces will be accepted after September 9th! Unsold artwork pick up days and times: Monday, September 13 – Thursday, September 16 • 10AM – 6PM (Any piece of artwork not picked up by 6PM on Thursday, 9/16/10, will be disposed of, unless otherwise arranged.)
Fall Open House Exhibitor Information
The Crucible will host an open house on September 11, 2010 and we are seeking local community-based organizations to join us in our fourth Community Open House event. The Open House will run from 12-4 pm and we have limited booths and tables for community based organizations. We hope to serve as a community resource to promote a daylong open house for community-based organizations serving West Oakland. We are inviting local residents, as well as, our Crucible community to take advantage of the wide range of programming found within Oakland. We invite community-based organizations to join us for this community-building event. Our Open House events draw 500 attendees and offers live demonstrations of our fine and industrial arts. We have a limited number of 10×10 booths and 6×8 tables, which are available on a first come, first serve basis. Electricity can be provided. We invite organizations to bring materials, collateral and banners. Organizations are welcomed to sell items during this time as well. We will feature this Community Open House in our newsletters, on our website and in our printed materials. Set up begins at 10:30 a.m. and the open house ends at 4 p.m. We will not be able to accommodate any late set ups beyond 11: 30 a.m. We have an online submission form, Click Here to Apply. We welcome you to join us for this exciting event. Please respond by August 26, 2010. We believe in being good neighbors and through community support, we can continue the work we’ve started. There is no place like West Oakland and together we can continue to make our neighborhood a place where art thrives. Event dates & times: Saturday September 11, 2010 12 to 4pm Deadline: Thursday, August 26th, 2010 Application: APPLY HERE… Contact Persons: Please contact either Kristy with any questions. Email: [email protected] – Phone: 510.444.0919 x113 Setup Info: Set up begins at 10 a.m. and the open house ends at 4 p.m. We will not be able to accommodate any late set ups beyond 11:30 a.m. Additional Info: We have a limited number of 10×10 booths and 6×8 tables, which are available on a first come, first serve basis. Electricity can be provided. We invite organizations to bring materials, collateral and banners. Organizations are welcomed to sell items during this time as well. Legal Stuff: Applicant herby releases and agrees to hold harmless and to not bring a lawsuit, arbitration of other action claim of proceeding against The Crucible and its members, directors, employees, agents, subcontractors, representatives, attorneys, brokers, insurers, lenders, officers, partners, successors. This release includes but is not limited to any claim, loss, expense, and liability that Applicant may suffer, whether by reason of breach of or failure of The Crucible to perform in any manner of any part of its obligations related to the 2010 Fall Community Open House or by any reason of any act of omission of The Crucible. This Release includes but is not limited to every type of personal injury, property […]
Flamboastin’
August 19 – October 1, 2010 Opening Reception: Thursday, August 19th 6-9pm First Friday Art Walk: Friday, September 3rd 6-9pm Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-2pm Address: 1603 Broadway Oakland, CA 94612 Map More Info: (510) 444-0919 [email protected]
Flamboastin’ – Bay Area Youth Flaunting their Sculptural Explorations
The Crucible’s Cathedral Gallery CALL FOR YOUTH ART Flamboastin’ Bay Area Youth Flaunting their Sculptural Explorations Deadline for Submission: Friday, July 30th, 2010 The Crucibleʼs Cathedral Gallery is producing itʼs first its first Bay Area Youth Sculpture Show, Flamboastinʼ. We are seeking three dimensional artwork made by Bay Area youth, including but not limited to: metal jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, glass, woodworking, blacksmithing, and kinetic artwork. If you are between the ages of 8 and 17 we strongly encourage you to submit your work! All Bay Area youth are eligible. There will be three categories defined by age: 8-10, 11-14, and 15-17 years We encourage parents to assist younger artists with the application process. HOW TO APPLY: We encourage parents to assist younger students with the application. The Crucible is a non-profit educational facility that fosters a collaboration of Arts, Industry and Community. Through training in the fine and industrial arts, The Crucible promotes creative expression, reuse of materials and innovative design while serving as an accessible arts venue for the general public. Our youth art program is one of the most vibrant curricula in the Bay Area. It is widely known for providing an introduction to mediums that otherwise would be difficult to for youth to access. Guidelines and Eligibility: • Youth Artists must be or between the ages of 8 – 17 • Artists must live in the Bay Area. • All work must remain in gallery for the duration of the exhibit (until October 1st). • All work submitted must have a sculptural element or three dimensional quality to be considered. (2-D work will not be considered). • There is a limit of 3 submissions per artist. All of the following materials are required to be included with your submission to be considered for this great opportunity. Required Materials: • Youth Art Show Submission CLOSED • Images of each piece of artwork (see instructions below). • Artist Statement – write a brief statement about what art means to you personally and/or culturally – 1 page maximum. • Portrait (optional). Instructions for Image Formatting: • Submit one full view image and (we recommend) one detail and/or another angle of the artwork each submission. • We prefer high quality jpeg files, and the images must be oriented properly. • Label the images clearly if you are submitting multiple pieces of art. Include your last name in the file name. (example: Jones1.jpeg , Jones1Detail.jpeg). • If for whatever reason you do not have access to a camera or the means to complete the image requirements, please call Daniel at the Crucible (510-444-0919 X106) and we will arrange a time to photograph your work and assist you with the submission process. Important Dates: Submission Deadline: Friday, July 30th, 5:00pm Notification Date: Wednesday, August 4th Art drop off: Saturday August 13th 10am-2pm Sunday, August 14th 2-5pm Monday August 15th 5-8pm Opening Reception: August 19th 6-9pm Closing: October 1st Email ALL of the Required Materials and/or questions to: [email protected] Or you may drop off, […]
2010 Fire & Light Soirée and Art Auction Recep
Thank you to all our guests, artists, and volunteers for being a part of our Fire & Light Soirée and Art Auction. We are so appreciative of our Soirée guests’ support of The Crucible’s arts education programs, and thanks to the generosity of the artists who contributed to our live art auction, 100% of auction proceeds went to The Crucible. See the artwork here. We’re pleased to report that every auction piece has gone to a good home. Congratulations to those winning bidders! Click Here to view the Soirée photo gallery, as well as a short video taken during the event. Thanks again for your generosity and support of The Crucible.
Watch Past Virtual Events
Virtual Artist Talk: Rob Nehring
Please join us Friday, June 5, for our next virtual artist talk with Crucible faculty member, Rob Nehring, of our Welding Department. Rob has been a part of The Crucible community...
Virtual Artist Talk: Nico Chen
Please join us Friday, May 22 for our next virtual artist talk. We’ll be speaking with Nico Chen, writer, photographer, and critical learning scientist focused on reimagining...
Virtual Artist Talk: Lara Hopwood
During this Virtual Artist Talk, Oakland artist and fire performer, Lara Hopwood will discuss her early introduction to fire dance, how she goes about planning a fire performance,...
Virtual Artist Talk: Whimsical and Functional Glass With Sam Schumacher
During this Virtual Artist Talk, Oakland artist and founder of Rocket Glass Works, Sam Schumacher will discuss the inspiration behind his glass work....
Virtual Artist Talk: Creating Culture Through Ceramics With Rosa Dorantes
Please join us this Friday for a virtual artist talk with Oakland artist, Rosa Dorantes, an accomplished ceramist with over twenty years of experience. Since Rosa became The...
Virtual Artist Talk: Metalworking Beyond Borders With Karen Smith
Please join us this Friday for a virtual artist talk with Oakland artist, Karen Smith. We'll discuss her philosophy on art-making, how it influences her artistry and metalwork, and...
Virtual Artist Talk: Repujado History, Family, and Culture
Join The Crucible for our first-ever virtual artist talk with Oakland repujado artist, Rachel-Anne Palacios. We'll discuss her metal embossing practice and how her work reflects...