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Classes   >>   Youth



We're the place for kids to fulfill their creative aspirations using heat, spark, and flame! Based on our adult curriculum, youth classes are designed for students 18 and under by taking scope and pace into consideration. 

Youth classes are offered in a four-day (Monday -Thursday) camp format in the summer, generally starting in mid-June and running through late-August. When registration opens in late February each year, you'll be able see complete class descriptions, including age ranges for specific classes. Common camp topics include blacksmithing, sculptural welding, metal casting, jewelry,  and glass.



Click on the course name to see all class meeting dates, times, and course fee.

If you're looking for a Reheater option, select the class you'd like to Reheat and choose the appropriate fee when registering.

Please read these FAQs for details about what to bring/wear, refund policy, age requirements and more. We've also compiled a sensory rubric with more information about what to expect in a particular type of class. 

Joining a waitlist? Before you add yourself to a waitlist for a class that's full, it helps us if you're pretty certain you'll be available. If a spot becomes available, you'll be automatically registered and given about 24 hours to confirm your registration by paying. If we have a long list of folks who are no longer interested, it can be time-consuming to fill that spot. Thank you!

Upcoming classes

  • Metal Arts Sampler

    • Mon, June 09, 2025
    • Thu, June 12, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 3
    Register

    What are metal arts? This class will introduce you to the fiery forms of artwork that are created with metal, heat, and flame! You'll observe as our plasma cutter cuts a sheet of metal into shapes you design and give blacksmithing a try, swinging a hammer to form metal that's been heated in a forge. Pick pieces out from our metal scrap bin and learn how they can be welded or brazed together. From there, you'll create a kinetic mobile with the pieces and scraps you've collected, designed to balance and spin as it hangs.

    Open to ages 8 to 12.  |  $300 ($260 tuition + $40 materials)

    Instructor: Heather Doyle

    Show details

  • Blacksmithing Basics

    • Mon, June 16, 2025
    • Fri, June 20, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 1
    Register

    Shape iron with fire and hammer! Ignite your passion for blacksmithing as you learn shop safety and gain basic knowledge of the dynamics of forging by making some cool (hot!) stuff. This hands-on workshop will give you plenty of time to practice shaping hot steel with a hammer and anvil. You’ll make a variety of small items, but in this introductory class we will not be teaching bladesmithing or swordsmithing, which are advanced techniques.  

    Open to ages 13 to 17.  |  $300 ($260 tuition + $40 materials)   

    Instructor: Gaea Dill-D'Ascoli

    Show details

  • Stained Glass Jewelry & Sculpture

    • Mon, June 16, 2025
    • Fri, June 20, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 3
    Register

    Learn how to make your own stained glass jewelry and sculptures! In this weeklong class we will cover how to safely work with glass and lead-free solder. Our first project will be making our own pendants or earrings to learn the basics of the medium and practice skills like cutting and soldering. After that, we will dive into following patterns or drafting your own to make three-dimensional sculptures and vessels out of glass! We'll also talk about how you can make your own stained glass workspace at home.

    Open to ages 13 to 17.  |  $305 ($260 tuition + $45 materials)

    Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan 

     


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  • Oxy-Acetylene Found Object Sculpture

    • Mon, June 23, 2025
    • Thu, June 26, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    Register

    Discover scrap metal and learn to make sculptural projects from it using oxy-acetylene welding and metal fabrication techniques. This beginning-level camp will cover cutting, welding and brazing processes using an oxy-acetylene torch. Learn the limitations and benefits of these processes through the design and fabrication of your own work of art! Methods for identifying metals, surface preparation for scrap welding, along with aesthetic and protective surface treatments for finishing pieces will also be covered.

    Open to ages 13 to 17.  |  $310 ($260 tuition + $50 materials)

    Instructor: Becca Cerra 

    Show details

  • Small Things Casting with Lost Wax

    • Mon, July 07, 2025
    • Thu, July 10, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 6
    Register

    Do you have an idea for a small-scale sculpture or jewelry piece that you'd like to make in cast silver or bronze? Dive into the world of lost wax casting in miniature form. The lost wax process starts with carving/forming a pattern out of wax, molding the pattern, and then melting the wax out of the mold to create a hollow vessel into which you'll pour molten metal. You'll be able to cast small art objects (things you can fit in your hand) or jewelry pieces using centrifugal and vacuum assist casting equipment. We'll cover safety protocols, the tools and techniques for carving and pouring, and basic finishing and patination of our cast artwork. 

    Open to ages 13 to 17.  |  $310 ($260 tuition + $50 materials)

    Instructor: Jess Bergman Night


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  • Hot Glass: Explore Borosilicate Glass!

    • Mon, July 14, 2025
    • Thu, July 17, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Experience science through blowing glass! In this borosilicate flameworking camp we will experience the wonders of physics and the magic of chemistry while creating borosilicate glass objects. Using gravity, fire, and a few tools, you'll learn to manipulate rods of borosilicate glass and turn them into art. We'll start by covering safety and the basics of working with a flameworking torch. Then you'll learn a variety of glass manipulation techniques such as implosions, surface decoration, twists, and swirls. You'll explore how glass is colored and ways to change colors with glass frit and heat while making different types of glass objects and sculptures you will take home.

    Open to ages 13 to 17.  |  $300 ($260 tuition + $40 materials)

    Instructor: Ashley Austin 


    Show details

  • Little Critters: Glass + Metal Sampler

    • Mon, July 28, 2025
    • Thu, July 31, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 7
    Register

    Create your own collection of critters while learning about multiple fire arts mediums! In this camp, you'll get to apply heat, spark, and flame to glass and metal. You'll learn the basics of flameworking with borosilicate glass and then move on to stained glass with copper foil and lead-free solder. We'll also make cast metal critters, using lead-free pewter and cuttlefish bones. All three of these mediums can be combined in your critter making. Bring your wildest imagination to this fun and fiery class!

    Open to ages 13 to 17.  |  $305 ($260 tuition + $45 materials)

    Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan 

     


    Show details

  • Blacksmithing Basics

    • Mon, July 28, 2025
    • Thu, July 31, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 4
    Register

    Shape iron with fire and hammer! Ignite your passion for blacksmithing as you learn shop safety and gain basic knowledge of the dynamics of forging by making some cool (hot!) stuff. This hands-on workshop will give you plenty of time to practice shaping hot steel with a hammer and anvil. You’ll make a variety of small items, but in this introductory class we will not be teaching bladesmithing or swordsmithing, which are advanced techniques.  

    Open to ages 13 to 17.  |  $300 ($260 tuition + $40 materials)   

    Instructor: Helene Carlson-Dakes

    Show details

  • Jewelry Arts Sampler

    • Mon, August 04, 2025
    • Thu, August 07, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 7
    Register

    Have you ever wanted to make your own jewelry? In this class you will create your choice of pendants, necklaces, keychains, earrings and more using professional techniques like casting, soldering and enameling. We will explore different metals and learn correct use of tools. We will cover jewelry studio safety and basic shop protocols to assure we can all focus on our creations in a healthy environment. Bring your ideas and an interest in experimenting with new methods to manifest them. We will make at least one completed piece each day!

    Come explore the world of professional jewelry making techniques in this sampler class! You'll be able to make jewelry pieces like pendants, pins, bracelets, and rings. You'll focus on a different skill each day, including:

    • casting molten metal using the ancient technique of cuttlebone molding
    • learning to texture copper
    • using glass frit enamel to add brilliant color
    • soldering sterling silver
    • and even forging! 

    Our class will focus on safety in the studio and learning jewelry techniques. You'll be encouraged to explore their unique ideas within individual projects. Each class will end with time to finish pieces with beads and findings so they are ready to wear

    Open to ages 9 - 12.  |  $305 ($260 tuition + $45 materials)

    Instructors: Jess Night
    Show details

  • Metal Arts Sampler

    • Mon, August 04, 2025
    • Thu, August 07, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 4
    Register

    What are metal arts? This class will introduce you to the fiery forms of artwork that are created with metal, heat, and flame! You'll observe as our plasma cutter cuts a sheet of metal into shapes you design and give blacksmithing a try, swinging a hammer to form metal that's been heated in a forge. Pick pieces out from our metal scrap bin and learn how they can be welded or brazed together. From there, you'll create a kinetic mobile with the pieces and scraps you've collected, designed to balance and spin as it hangs.

    Open to ages 8 to 12.  |  $300 ($260 tuition + $40 materials)

    Instructor: Heather Doyle

    Show details

  • Sculptural Metal Casting Fundamentals

    • Mon, August 04, 2025
    • Thu, August 07, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8
    Register

    Have you ever wondered what happens when you heat metal until it looks like lava? Discover the amazing world of cast metal sculpture in this beginner's course! In this class we will learn shop safety and pour metal each day, creating one of a kind pieces from four different molding and pouring techniques. You can expect to experiment with modern and traditional methods while gaining experience in the ancient art of metal casting!

    Open to ages 13 to 17.  |  $310 ($260 tuition + $50 materials)

    Instructor: Brighton McCormick 

     


    Show details

  • Blacksmithing Basics

    • Mon, August 18, 2025
    • Thu, August 21, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    Register

    Shape iron with fire and hammer! Ignite your passion for blacksmithing as you learn shop safety and gain basic knowledge of the dynamics of forging by making some cool (hot!) stuff. This hands-on workshop will give you plenty of time to practice shaping hot steel with a hammer and anvil. You’ll make a variety of small items, but in this introductory class we will not be teaching bladesmithing or swordsmithing, which are advanced techniques.  

    Open to ages 13 to 17.  |  $300 ($260 tuition + $40 materials)   

    Instructor: Jess Bergman Night

    Show details

  • Hot Glass: Make Glass Beads!

    • Mon, August 18, 2025
    • Thu, August 21, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 6
    Register

    Explore the world of molten glass by creating handmade glass beads!  In this soft glass lampworking camp, you'll work with a torch and glass rods, as you create a series of beads in different shapes, sizes, and colors. We'll cover how to use the torch and tools while following safety protocol. Then, through plenty of hands-on practice, you'll learn basic glass shaping techniques and surface decorations.  With a rainbow of colored glass rods to choose from, the design possibilities are endless! Components will be available to create your own jewelry pieces for your very own.

    Open to ages 13 to 17 |  $300 ($260 tuition + $40 materials)

    Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann 


    Show details

CHICAGO AVENUE FIRE ARTS CENTER   3749 Chicago Avenue  |  Minneapolis, MN 55407  |  612-294-0400  |  info@cafac.org 

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