Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center upcoming events

Adaptability and Narrative in Flameworking with Visiting Artist Kimberly Thomas (Wed, October 07, 2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

In partnership with Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts, CAFAC is thrilled to welcome visiting artist Kimberly Thomas!

Register here through Foci MCGA.

Questions? Get in touch with us at info@cafac.org.

In this workshop, students will develop technical proficiency and material fluency through the sculptural possibilities of borosilicate glass. Students will move from foundational techniques into more complex constructions, learning to shape and assemble components with precision and intent. Alongside technical refinement, the class integrates storytelling, guiding participants to build a personal sculptural language and articulate narrative through form, structure, and detail. Instruction includes both group and individual demonstrations, with an emphasis on process, craftsmanship, and the steady expansion of creative voice.

This five-day workshop is held at CAFAC and Foci MCGA:

Wednesday 10/7/26 - Thursday 10/8/26 at CAFAC (3749 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407)
Friday 10/9/26 - Sunday 10/11/26 at Foci MCGA (2213 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404)

$750 (includes all materials and supplies) | Register through Foci MCGA
Registration deadline: 9/23/26

Visiting artist Kimberly Thomas is a biracial interdisciplinary sculptor and flameworker. She is a current artist in residence at Penland School of Crafts in Bakersville, NC. and is known for her work’s intentionally flawed and unusual motifs as well as her intricate sculptural inventions. A self-taught glass artist, Thomas earned a BFA in Ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design and spent six years as a special effects make-up artist before she began flameworking in 2009.

Thomas’s work is often autobiographical and conveys her unique perception of the world. Drawing her influence from concepts, questions, and theories about human nature, she combines realism and fantasy. She imparts her truth into dark, yet entertaining, narratives. Recurring themes in her work include the undesirable facets of life and human nature, freedom from the corruption imposed by society, and expansion of self-knowledge. Thomas challenges viewers to face what makes them uncomfortable in order to invite opportunities for fresh perspectives and personal development. Artist’s Website

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Adaptability and Narrative in Flameworking with Visiting Artist Kimberly Thomas (Thu, October 08, 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

In partnership with Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts, CAFAC is thrilled to welcome visiting artist Kimberly Thomas!

Register here through Foci MCGA.

Questions? Get in touch with us at info@cafac.org.

This five-day workshop is held at CAFAC and Foci MCGA:

Wednesday 10/7/26 - Thursday 10/8/26 at CAFAC (3749 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407)
Friday 10/9/26 - Sunday 10/11/26 at Foci MCGA (2213 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404)

$750 (includes all materials and supplies) | Register through Foci MCGA
Registration deadline: 9/23/26

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Adaptability and Narrative in Flameworking with Visiting Artist Kimberly Thomas (Fri, October 09, 2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

In partnership with Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts, CAFAC is thrilled to welcome visiting artist Kimberly Thomas!

Register here through Foci MCGA.

Questions? Get in touch with us at info@cafac.org.

This five-day workshop is held at CAFAC and Foci MCGA:

Wednesday 10/7/26 - Thursday 10/8/26 at CAFAC (3749 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407)
Friday 10/9/26 - Sunday 10/11/26 at Foci MCGA (2213 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404)

$750 (includes all materials and supplies) | Register through Foci MCGA
Registration deadline: 9/23/26

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Adaptability and Narrative in Flameworking with Visiting Artist Kimberly Thomas (Sat, October 10, 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

In partnership with Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts, CAFAC is thrilled to welcome visiting artist Kimberly Thomas!

Register here through Foci MCGA.

Questions? Get in touch with us at info@cafac.org.

This five-day workshop is held at CAFAC and Foci MCGA:

Wednesday 10/7/26 - Thursday 10/8/26 at CAFAC (3749 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407)
Friday 10/9/26 - Sunday 10/11/26 at Foci MCGA (2213 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404)

$750 (includes all materials and supplies) | Register through Foci MCGA
Registration deadline: 9/23/26

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Adaptability and Narrative in Flameworking with Visiting Artist Kimberly Thomas (Sun, October 11, 2026)

Sun, 11 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

In partnership with Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts, CAFAC is thrilled to welcome visiting artist Kimberly Thomas!

Register here through Foci MCGA.

Questions? Get in touch with us at info@cafac.org.

This five-day workshop is held at CAFAC and Foci MCGA:

Wednesday 10/7/26 - Thursday 10/8/26 at CAFAC (3749 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407)
Friday 10/9/26 - Sunday 10/11/26 at Foci MCGA (2213 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404)

$750 (includes all materials and supplies) | Register through Foci MCGA
Registration deadline: 9/23/26

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.