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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!

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

Upcoming classes

  • Blacksmithing Basics

    • Mon, June 17, 2024
    • Fri, June 21, 2024
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    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)   
    NOTE: This camp meets Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. CAFAC is closed on Wednesday, June 19, for the Juneteenth holiday.

    Instructor: Heather Doyle

    Show details

  • Metal Arts Sampler

    • Mon, July 08, 2024
    • Thu, July 11, 2024
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    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

  • Small Things Casting with Lost Wax

    • Mon, July 08, 2024
    • Thu, July 11, 2024
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    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 Night


    Show details

  • Stained Glass Jewelry & Sculpture

    • Mon, July 15, 2024
    • Thu, July 18, 2024
    • 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 

     


    Show details

  • Blacksmithing Basics

    • Mon, July 22, 2024
    • Thu, July 25, 2024
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    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: Jessica Night

    Show details

  • Sculptural Metal Casting Fundamentals

    • Mon, July 29, 2024
    • Thu, August 01, 2024
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    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

  • Jewelry Arts Sampler

    • Mon, August 05, 2024
    • Thu, August 08, 2024
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    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 05, 2024
    • Thu, August 08, 2024
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    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

  • Oxy-Acetylene Found Object Sculpture

    • Mon, August 12, 2024
    • Thu, August 15, 2024
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 2
    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

  • Flameworking: Make Glass Beads!

    • Mon, August 19, 2024
    • Thu, August 22, 2024
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 4
    Register

    Flameworking (also known as torchworking or lampworking) is the art of creating decorative beads of glass using a dual-fuel torch. In this camp you'll work with a torch and Italian soft glass, as you create a series of beads in different shapes, sizes, and colors. We'll cover how to use flameworking tools and equipment and follow safety protocol. Then, through plenty of hands-on practice, you'll learn basic glass manipulation, shaping techniques and surface decoration. The class will culminate in a "10-Bead Challenge"!

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

    Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann 


    Show details

  • Blacksmithing Basics

    • Mon, August 19, 2024
    • Thu, August 22, 2024
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 3
    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: Becca Cerra

    Show details

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

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