Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center upcoming events

Metal Casting with Recyclable Clay Molds (Mon, October 12, 2026)

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

In this course we will explore making small cast bronze sculptures using ancient methods. You'll mold small wax patterns with clay and other natural materials following Indian, African, Meso-American, and Japanese techniques. The molds will then be fired with charcoal and cast in bronze or aluminum. You can expect to make two to three works and develop skills, including wax working, clay molding, and melting metals, which will enable you to make small sculpture with low-cost recyclable materials. Alternative melting methods (primitive furnaces fired with charcoal) may be explored based on student interest. Attendance at the first class session is mandatory, as important safety information is presented.

$330 ($270 tuition + $60 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 18 and up.

Instructor: Wayne Potratz

Metal Casting with Recyclable Clay Molds (Mon, October 19, 2026)

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

$330 ($270 tuition + $60 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 18 and up.

Instructor: Wayne Potratz

Bronze Casting Workshop: Two-Part Sand Molds (Wed, October 21, 2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 19:00:00 GMT

We're pleased to offer this workshop in conjunction with the 2026 International Sculpture Conference!

Experience the entire process of bronze casting, from mold-making to pouring molten metal! In this workshop, you'll work with premade two-part resin-bonded sand molds to create a bowl or vessel form. Then, during an evening reception event on Friday, October 23, at CAFAC, your piece will be cast in bronze, with an option for you to join the pour team if you'd like. You'll be able to take your unfinished vessel with you at the end of the event.

$60 ($45 tuition + $15 materials) | 1 session

Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Cassi Rebman

Bronze Casting Workshop: Two-Part Sand Molds (Thu, October 22, 2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:00:00 GMT

We're pleased to offer this workshop in conjunction with the 2026 International Sculpture Conference!

$60 ($45 tuition + $15 materials) | 1 session

Open to ages 16 and up.

Instructor: Cassi Rebman

Metal Casting with Recyclable Clay Molds (Mon, October 26, 2026)

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

$330 ($270 tuition + $60 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 18 and up.

Instructor: Wayne Potratz

Sculptural Metal Casting Fundamentals: Lost Wax in Ceramic Shell (Wed, October 28, 2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Metal casting is an art form steeped in ancient tradition yet popular with contemporary artists today. In this class you'll learn the basics of ceramic shell molding and how to transform molten bronze into cast metal sculpture. We'll start by exploring appropriate pattern materials, ranging from wax to found organic materials. Then we'll cover wax working basics, spruing and venting of molds, molding with ceramic shell, casting safety and procedures, and basic finishing and patina. By the end of class, you'll have a basic understanding of bronze casting safety and techniques, as well as fundamental skills in ceramic shell molding and finishing. We will do one pour during the class, and you can expect to complete at least one small/medium-scale bronze casting.

Note: There is a gap week in our class schedule to allow for you to finish the ceramic shell dipping/molding process. You should plan to have the ability to come into the studio at least seven times within the 2 weeks between classes to dip your patterns. Studio hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days. Please inquire if you have questions about this requirement.

This course is appropriate for both beginners and those with some casting experience.

$420 ($360 tuition + $60 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up (parent/guardian should be on call for students under 18).

Instructor: Jess Bergman Night

Metal Casting with Recyclable Clay Molds (Mon, November 02, 2026)

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

$330 ($270 tuition + $60 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 18 and up.

Instructor: Wayne Potratz

Sculptural Metal Casting Fundamentals: Lost Wax in Ceramic Shell (Wed, November 04, 2026)

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

This course is appropriate for both beginners and those with some casting experience.

$420 ($360 tuition + $60 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up (parent/guardian should be on call for students under 18).

Instructor: Jess Bergman Night

Memento Mori with Sand Casting (Sat, November 07, 2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Memento mori is the Latin phrase meaning “remember death.” In this weekend workshop siblings scottie and Brienna Hall teach the ancient practice of sand casting intertwined with ritual and intention.

Through metalworking, fire, and guided ceremony, students cast a personal keepsake imbued with meaning and memory. Participants will explore the history of sand casting and be guided through the process from cradle to grave: making a mold, safely using a torch, casting with molten metal, and finishing a bespoke piece.

This is an invitation to reflect on impermanence, grief, and loss. We will look to death as a teacher, hold life gently as students, and remember that we too will die.

Participants are encouraged to bring a cherished object, cremains of a loved one, symbolic material, or a personal offering to incorporate into their piece. As part of our two-day ritual, teachers and students will co-create an altar and ceremony to honor the significance of the memento mori practice.

This workshop is open to all levels of experience. The only prerequisite is a willingness to reflect on the impermanence of life through ritual, storytelling, memories, and art making.

$500 ($400 tuition + $100 materials) | Weekend workshop
Open to ages 18 and up.

scottie hall (ze|zir) is a Minneapolis-based artist, hospice chaplain, budding harpist, and childless cat queer. Ze invites hospice patients and their circles of care to meet death with curiosity, self-discovery, and radical acceptance. A longtime Buddhist practitioner, scottie holds a MDiv from United Theological Seminary of Twin Cities where their studies included Interreligious Chaplaincy and Theopoetics.

Brienna Hall is a jewelry artist and educator based in Mendocino, California, with a BFA in Sculpture and a minor in Fiber Arts from the Kansas City Art Institute. Through her practice, Shrine Jewelry, she explores themes of memory, impermanence, and transformation using sand casting, fabrication and recycled precious metals. Brienna teaches regularly in California and loves the joy and spontaneity that sand casting brings—she’s passionate about sharing that excitement through teaching and helping others create meaningful, personal work.

From previous students...

“This was my very first time creating something from sand casting. I was a little bit nervous to try it because I really didn't know what to expect. With the excellent guidance from the artists teaching the class, it was very easy to catch on and I actually created a test piece and a keepsake to remember my youngest son, who passed away when he was 12 years old.” — January 2026 workshop participant

“The poetry and readings as we gathered around the altar beginning and ending each day. Sharing the love and memories of the ones we are missing and grieving for. The gentle encouragement each of us received when something didn't go quite right. Realizing I could learn this ancient art of sand casting in a weekend! WOW!!” — January 2026 workshop participant

Memento Mori with Sand Casting (Sun, November 08, 2026)

Sun, 08 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

This is an invitation to reflect on impermanence, grief, and loss. We will look to death as a teacher, hold life gently as students, and remember that we too will die.

This workshop is open to all levels of experience. The only prerequisite is a willingness to reflect on the impermanence of life through ritual, storytelling, memories, and art making.

$500 ($400 tuition + $100 materials) | Weekend workshop
Open to ages 18 and up.

From previous students...

Metal Casting with Recyclable Clay Molds (Mon, November 09, 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

$330 ($270 tuition + $60 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 18 and up.

Instructor: Wayne Potratz

Sculptural Metal Casting Fundamentals: Lost Wax in Ceramic Shell (Wed, November 11, 2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

This course is appropriate for both beginners and those with some casting experience.

$420 ($360 tuition + $60 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up (parent/guardian should be on call for students under 18).

Instructor: Jess Bergman Night

Metal Casting with Recyclable Clay Molds (Mon, November 16, 2026)

Tue, 17 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

$330 ($270 tuition + $60 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 18 and up.

Instructor: Wayne Potratz

Pimp My Ride: Casting Custom Bicycle Accessories (Mon, November 23, 2026)

Tue, 24 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Add some flair to your trusty steed while getting an intro to the lost wax casting process! In this four-session class, you'll be guided through each step of casting a small piece using the lost wax process to create either a custom headbadge or top cap for your bike. We'll start with creating your piece in wax by carving, sculpting, and welding wax. Next, we'll move on to spruing and investing, followed by casting your piece in bronze. We'll end with finishing, and then finally you'll be able to mount your one-of-a-kind piece on your bike. No experience required!

$225 ($180 tuition + $45 materials) | 4 weeks

Note: The final class session is longer to accommodate the casting process and minimize wait times. Your instructor will coordinate with you on your specific pour time for that day.

Instructor: Pallav Kumar

Sculptural Metal Casting Fundamentals: Lost Wax in Ceramic Shell (Wed, November 25, 2026)

Wed, 25 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

This course is appropriate for both beginners and those with some casting experience.

$420 ($360 tuition + $60 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up (parent/guardian should be on call for students under 18).

Instructor: Jess Bergman Night

Pimp My Ride: Casting Custom Bicycle Accessories (Mon, November 30, 2026)

Tue, 01 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

$225 ($180 tuition + $45 materials) | 4 weeks

Note: The final class session is longer to accommodate the casting process and minimize wait times. Your instructor will coordinate with you on your specific pour time for that day.

Instructor: Pallav Kumar

Sculptural Metal Casting Fundamentals: Lost Wax in Ceramic Shell (Wed, December 02, 2026)

Wed, 02 Dec 2026 19:00:00 GMT

This course is appropriate for both beginners and those with some casting experience.

$420 ($360 tuition + $60 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up (parent/guardian should be on call for students under 18).

Instructor: Jess Bergman Night

Pimp My Ride: Casting Custom Bicycle Accessories (Mon, December 07, 2026)

Tue, 08 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

$225 ($180 tuition + $45 materials) | 4 weeks

Note: The final class session is longer to accommodate the casting process and minimize wait times. Your instructor will coordinate with you on your specific pour time for that day.

Instructor: Pallav Kumar

Sculptural Metal Casting Fundamentals: Lost Wax in Ceramic Shell (Wed, December 09, 2026)

Wed, 09 Dec 2026 19:00:00 GMT

This course is appropriate for both beginners and those with some casting experience.

$420 ($360 tuition + $60 materials) | 6 weeks
Open to ages 16 and up (parent/guardian should be on call for students under 18).

Instructor: Jess Bergman Night

Metal Casting Sampler: Fun & Functional Bronzes (Fri, December 11, 2026)

Fri, 11 Dec 2026 22:00:00 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

Unfinished Business: Finishing Techniques for Metalwork (Sat, December 12, 2026)

Sat, 12 Dec 2026 18:00:00 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

Pimp My Ride: Casting Custom Bicycle Accessories (Mon, December 14, 2026)

Mon, 14 Dec 2026 21:00:00 GMT

$225 ($180 tuition + $45 materials) | 4 weeks

Note: The final class session is longer to accommodate the casting process and minimize wait times. Your instructor will coordinate with you on your specific pour time for that day.

Instructor: Pallav Kumar