Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center upcoming events

Small Things Casting with Lost Wax (Mon, June 01, 2026)

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Do you have an idea for a small-size sculpture or jewelry piece that you'd like to make in cast silver or bronze? This comprehensive class will immerse you in the process of lost wax casting in miniature form. You'll learn to carve wax, make molds, and cast small art objects or jewelry, using the vacuum assist casting method. The class will cover safety protocols, the tools used for wax carving, techniques for pouring metal, and basic finishing of cast artworks. Our focus will be on wax carving to create patterns for casting, but not silicone/rubber molding or inclusion of stones. Questions about whether your project is suitable for this class? Get in touch with the instructor. Class fee includes 1.5 troy ounces of silver and up to a half-pound of bronze.

No prior experience is required for this fundamental course.

$270 ($225 tuition + $45 materials) | 5 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up (parent/guardian should be on call for students under 18.

Instructor: Jess Night

Small Things Casting with Lost Wax (Mon, June 08, 2026)

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

No prior experience is required for this fundamental course.

$270 ($225 tuition + $45 materials) | 5 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up (parent/guardian should be on call for students under 18.

Instructor: Jess Night

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

Unfinished Business: Finishing Techniques for Metalwork (Sat, June 13, 2026)

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Join us for a one-day workshop that's all about taking your metal artwork across the finish line.

In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to safely and confidently use angle grinders, die grinders, dremels, and other finishing tools to refine surfaces and remove casting or weld marks. We’ll also dive into needle scalers and sandblasters for texturing and cleanup, giving you a full toolkit for professional-quality finishes. A comprehensive patina demo will introduce you to color, oxidation, and sealing options so your work looks intentional and gallery-ready. This class is perfect for past casting students who have unfinished pieces waiting for attention, as well as artists who want to add hardware or make minor adjustments so their work functions smoothly. Bring your “almost done” projects and leave with completed, exhibition-ready metal sculpture.

$90 ($75 tuition + $15 materials)
Open to ages 18 and up.

Instructor: Brighton McCormick

Small Things Casting with Lost Wax (Mon, June 15, 2026)

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

No prior experience is required for this fundamental course.

$270 ($225 tuition + $45 materials) | 5 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up (parent/guardian should be on call for students under 18.

Instructor: Jess Night

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

Small Things Casting with Lost Wax (Mon, June 22, 2026)

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

No prior experience is required for this fundamental course.

$270 ($225 tuition + $45 materials) | 5 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up (parent/guardian should be on call for students under 18.

Instructor: Jess Night

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

Small Things Casting with Lost Wax (Mon, June 29, 2026)

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

No prior experience is required for this fundamental course.

$270 ($225 tuition + $45 materials) | 5 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up (parent/guardian should be on call for students under 18.

Instructor: Jess Night

Metal Casting Sampler: Fun & Functional Bronzes (Tue, July 28, 2026)

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 22:30:00 GMT

In this project-based workshop, you'll have the opportunity to experience the entire process of casting, from mold-making to pouring molten metal! You'll choose a small project to cast in bronze: a pendant, keychain, or small sculpture. All pieces will incorporate an element to hang or surface mount, so they can be useful as well as sculptural.

You'll start by learning to make a direct carve sand mold and then help with the bronze pour so you can see metal casting in action. We'll also apply a finish to your piece and add hardware to make it into a necklace, keychain, or mount it with a nut and bolt. This workshop is for beginners of all skill levels and will ignite your interest in exploring the myriad methods of metal casting.

$90 ($70 tuition + $20 materials)
Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Brighton McCormick

Metal Memento: Cast Your Favorite Object (Sat, August 15, 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Have you ever wished you could transform something into metal forever? In this class we will go over the basics of molding an object or pattern and casting it in molten metal (aluminum or bronze). You'll learn the basics of making a two-piece mold of a found or created pattern you provide. The class will cover appropriate choices for objects/patterns, self-setting sand molding techniques, venting and spruing of molds, metal heating and pouring, and basic finishing of cast pieces.

$315 ($270 tuition + $45 materials) | 6 weeks

Instructor: Woody Stauffer

Metal Memento: Cast Your Favorite Object (Sat, August 22, 2026)

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

$315 ($270 tuition + $45 materials) | 6 weeks

Instructor: Woody Stauffer

Metal Casting Sampler: Fun & Functional Bronzes (Tue, August 25, 2026)

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 22:30:00 GMT

$90 ($70 tuition + $20 materials)
Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Brighton McCormick

Metal Memento: Cast Your Favorite Object (Sat, August 29, 2026)

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

$315 ($270 tuition + $45 materials) | 6 weeks

Instructor: Woody Stauffer

Metal Memento: Cast Your Favorite Object (Sat, September 12, 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

$315 ($270 tuition + $45 materials) | 6 weeks

Instructor: Woody Stauffer

Unfinished Business: Finishing Techniques for Metalwork (Tue, September 15, 2026)

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Join us for a one-day workshop that's all about taking your metal artwork across the finish line.

$90 ($75 tuition + $15 materials)
Open to ages 18 and up.

Instructor: Brighton McCormick

Metal Memento: Cast Your Favorite Object (Sat, September 19, 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

$315 ($270 tuition + $45 materials) | 6 weeks

Instructor: Woody Stauffer

Metal Memento: Cast Your Favorite Object (Sat, September 26, 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

$315 ($270 tuition + $45 materials) | 6 weeks

Instructor: Woody Stauffer