Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center upcoming events

Lampworking Skill Session: Hollow Beads (Wed, May 20, 2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

This session will focus mainly on the basics of creating a hollow bead. We will begin creating hollows on a solid mandrel and move to the puffy mandrel, creating larger lighter hollow beads. Hollow beads provide a wonderful canvas for decoration, minus the weight. Students must have experience using a dual gas system torch with soft glass. Class fee includes 4 puffy mandrels to take home! Wear natural fiber clothing and closed-toe shoes.

$140 ($90 tuition + $50 materials)

Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann

Stained Glass: Copper Foil Fundamentals (Thu, May 21, 2026)

Thu, 21 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Learn the basics of stained glass and add some color and sparkle to your life! This class will introduce the basics of stained glass using the copper foil technique, which involves wrapping each glass piece in copper tape and then soldering the pieces together to form the whole. You'll learn and practice all the steps in the process of creating stained glass pieces, including using patterns, cutting and grinding glass, foiling, and soldering. We'll start with 2D pieces and you'll have the opportunity to explore 3D forms. As we progress, you're encouraged to bring your own ideas and the instructor will assist in translating them into stained glass.

$320 ($270 tuition + $50 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan

Lampworking Skill Session: Hollow Beads (Wed, May 27, 2026)

Wed, 27 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

$140 ($90 tuition + $50 materials)

Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann

Stained Glass: Copper Foil Fundamentals (Thu, May 28, 2026)

Thu, 28 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

$320 ($270 tuition + $50 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan

Open Torch Time: Soft Glass (Fri, May 29, 2026)

Fri, 29 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Open Torch Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a lampworking class at CAFAC.

Keep your chops up with regular Torch Time and share studio time with your fellow artisans! You supply the consumables (glass, mandrels, and bead release) and CAFAC will supply the torches and tools. We have space for up to seven lampworkers, so sign up today to reserve your spot at the torch!

$45

Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann

Open Torch Time: Borosilicate Glass (Sat, May 30, 2026)

Sat, 30 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Open Torch Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a borosilicate glass class at CAFAC.

Keep your chops up with regular Torch Time and share studio time with your fellow artisans! You supply the glass and CAFAC will supply the torches and tools. We have space for up to six flameworkers, so sign up today to reserve your spot at the torch!

$45

Instructor: Ashley Austin

Open Stained Glass Studio (Sun, May 31, 2026)

Sun, 31 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Open Stained Glass Studio is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a stained glass class at CAFAC.

This is your opportunity to get into the studio to work on projects or keep practicing your skills. You'll work independently with an instructor on hand if you have questions. You supply the consumables (glass, lead-free solder, foil, flux, and patina) and CAFAC will supply the tools and equipment.

$45

Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan

Stained Glass: Copper Foil Fundamentals (Thu, June 04, 2026)

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

$320 ($270 tuition + $50 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan

Torch + Pour + Solder: Mixed Materials Sculpture (Mon, June 08, 2026)

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Create a sculptural piece using three fire arts in this combo class! You'll learn the basics of flameworking with borosilicate glass, cuttlebone casting with lead-free pewter, and soft soldering techniques, as well as how to combine all three into one piece. We'll start with boro flameworking, making components to soft solder together into a sculpture. The next session will cover pewter casting, creating additional components. Finally, you'll learn how to use soft soldering techniques to combine your glass and pewter elements into a sculpture.

This is a semi-intermediate class where ambitious beginners are welcome but the pace will be fast. If you have prior experience with at least one of the mediums, you'll be more comfortable keeping up.

$170 ($135 tuition + $35 materials) | 3 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan

Stained Glass: Copper Foil Fundamentals (Thu, June 11, 2026)

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

$320 ($270 tuition + $50 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan

Torch + Pour + Solder: Mixed Materials Sculpture (Mon, June 15, 2026)

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

$170 ($135 tuition + $35 materials) | 3 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan

Stained Glass: Copper Foil Fundamentals (Thu, June 18, 2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

$320 ($270 tuition + $50 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan

Open Torch Time: Soft Glass (Sat, June 20, 2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Open Torch Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a lampworking class at CAFAC.

$45

Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann

Torch + Pour + Solder: Mixed Materials Sculpture (Mon, June 22, 2026)

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

$170 ($135 tuition + $35 materials) | 3 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan

Stained Glass: Copper Foil Fundamentals (Thu, June 25, 2026)

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

$320 ($270 tuition + $50 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan

Open Torch Time: Borosilicate Glass (Sat, June 27, 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Open Torch Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a borosilicate glass class at CAFAC.

$45

Instructor: Ashley Austin

Stained Glass Project Shop: Pride Suncatcher (Sun, June 28, 2026)

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Celebrate Pride by learning to make your own stained glass Pride-themed suncatcher! This is an ideal project to learn the basics: how to read a stained glass pattern, cut glass, assemble and solder components, and patina and seal your finished project. Patterns will be provided and you can choose between three different styles of leaves. No prior stained glass experience needed.

$85 ($70 tuition + $15 materials)
Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan

Borosilicate Glass Project Sampler: Little Critters (Sun, June 28, 2026)

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Learn how to make your own little critter in borosilicate glass! Borosilicate is the beefy cousin of soft glass. It's in the same family as Pyrex, allowing it to withstand multiple heat/cool cycles with minimal cracking and is commonly used to make vessels for laboratory experiments (aka scientific glass). Because it takes more heat to melt, it allows artists more time and control while sculpting with it. In this class, you'll learn how to light a torch, melt glass, and play with color and shape. You'll assemble and join components into a solid 3-D form, anneal your critter and give it a name if you'd like! No prior glass experience needed.

Please note: Your little critter will be available to pick up two days after class, in order to give it time to complete the annealing process.

$75 ($65 tuition + $10 materials)
Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan