Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center upcoming events

Unfinished Business: Finishing Techniques for Metalwork (Fri, May 01, 2026)

Fri, 01 May 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 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.

$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