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All the United States California Oakland The Crucible

The Crucible

An art collective teaching the more fiery, metal-y art forms.

Oakland, California

Added By
Zab Jastrzab
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The sign at the entrance   Shannon Ohaire / Atlas Obscura User
The sign at the entrance   Shannon Ohaire / Atlas Obscura User
Rubens’ Tube - fire sculpture that pulses with music   Shannon Ohaire / Atlas Obscura User
Gigantic fireball at the Crucible’s Fire Arts Collective Show   Shannon Ohaire / Atlas Obscura User
  The Crucible
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About

 The Crucible is an industrial arts collective that offers courses in both old world trades and brand new arenas. Here one can learn anything from becoming a blacksmith to how to be a daredevil fire dancing performer.

The Crucible's class schedule is like no other, including courses in bicycle building, welding, glass blowing, jewelry, woodworking and textiles. They have a smithy for blacksmiths and shop spaces for welding—in fact, most of their courses involve the use of fire in some way. Since they have a loose affiliation with many artists who create for the Burning Man project, this attraction to kinetic arts and fire makes perfect sense.

The Crucible is a non-profit education center so once or twice a year they show off their talents in an attempt to boost registration and funds. They put on a Fire Arts Collective extravaganza, complete with 30-ft tall flaming sculptures and fire performance in the empty lot close by or they throw in house events like fashion shows and fire operas that showcase all of the courses they offer. They also rent studio space for their alumni, offering a place to work without having to set up your own shop for a fraction of the cost.

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Fires Outsider Art

Know Before You Go

The Crucible is easily accessible by BART. From the West Oakland BART Station, exit onto 7th Street, turn right and walk 2 blocks east to Union (at the 2nd light). The Crucible is on the northwest corner of 7th & Union, at 1260 7th Street.

Community Contributors

Added By

Zabitha

Edited By

Rachel, Shannon Ohaire, down1nit

  • Rachel
  • Shannon Ohaire
  • down1nit

Published

June 13, 2013

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The Crucible
1260 7th Street
Oakland, California, 94607
United States
37.804529, -122.290754
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