Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center

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Minneapolis, MN
Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center

It's all about heat, spark, and flame.

06/18/2026

Join us for some artistic relief and help us welcome our newest residents, Witt Fiasco and Robert Bailey, at this month's Open HeARTh on Friday, June 19th, 5-7pm. We will have some art supplies out and snacks on hand! Feel free to bring something to add to the mix!
If you miss this one, Open HeARTh is every 3rd Friday of the month! And we will have some exciting additions in the coming months, so check back!!

[ID: Photo collage of photos, top left is an artist working on a mosaic butterfly wing, cardboard painting with a sun and a cranky raindrop, photo of a group of people working on artwork around a large table, and a drawing in greens, blues and oranges of a face with an open mouth. In the middle there is a speech bubble that says "open heARTh, Friday, June 19th, 5-7pm"]

06/17/2026

We were busy last weekend with 612 Day (here at George Floyd Square) and the American Craft Fest (in St. Paul's Union Depot)! Our incredible volunteers demoed spoon forging, metal stamping, copper forming, and wire wrapping, and curious visitors had a chance to participate in some hands-on art-making at both events.

Want to stay up to date with what's going on in our world? Join our mailing list! Fill out the form at the bottom of our site at cafac.org.

[ID: 1. A person in a green shirt and brown pants stands beside a person in a light-colored dress. They are outside in front of a wall painted in hexagons, on opposite sides of a vice that is holding a piece of metal. 2. Two people sit at a table decorated with the CAFAC logo, with banners behind them and small flyers on display.]

06/15/2026

Practice using oxy-acetylene torches to weld, braze, bend metal and more in these two classes coming up in July! Learn more and register for either class at the link in our bio.

In Oxy-Acetylene Found Object Sculpture, learn to apply oxy-acetylene welding techniques to the fabrication of a sculptural project. Oxy-fuel cutting, welding and brazing processes will be covered, along with methods for identifying metals, surface preparation for scrap welding, and aesthetic and protective surface treatments for finishing pieces.

In Creating Curves, you'll learn how to harness the heat of the flame to create intricate and complex bends and shapes. You'll learn and practice techniques using an oxy-acetylene torch and blacksmithing forge. By pairing these two tools, you'll create a tabletop sculpture that bends and wraps around itself and stands on its own without any welding necessary.

[ID: 1. A blue flame transitions to orange as it hits a piece of sheet metal. A white rod is held close to the flame. Text at the bottom on a yellow banner reads "Oxy-Acetylene Found object Sculpture: Sundays, 10am-1pm." 2. Two hands hold a pair of tongs that are holding the tip of a piece of bent, glowing hot metal. Text at the top reads "Creating Curves: Oxy-Acetylene and Blacksmithing. Saturdays, 10am-1pm"]

06/11/2026

Join us for our next Volunteer Day on Saturday, June 13th, 1-4pm. Be ready to get dirty with us as we reset the shop and give it a good polish. When we are done, join us for a beverage and snacks (feel free to bring something to share). We hope you can make it!

Sign up to let us know you’re coming at https://cafac.wildapricot.org/event-6669990

[ID: An arrangement of hexagonal frames with photos of previous volunteer days on a white background. The CAFAC logo is in the center of the graphic, and the text "Volunteer Day: June 13th, 1-4pm" is at the bottom.]

06/10/2026

American Craft Fest St. Paul is coming up June 13–14, 2026 at Union Depot in St. Paul, MN. Visit CAFAC, participate in fun hands-on activities, and enjoy food and beverages at this free, all-ages event.

Find more details and register at craftcouncil.org/events/2026-american-craft-fest/

[ID: A blue circle with the text "American Craft Fest" sits in an orange a pink background. Text at the bottom reads "Union Depot | St. Paul, MN | June 13-14, 2026." Below that is a blue bar with the American Craft Council Logo.]

06/08/2026

Flameworking 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. You'll create a collection of unique handcrafted glass beads to then fabricate jewelry, sculpture, sun-catchers....the possibilities are endless.

Sign up at https://cafac.wildapricot.org/event-6570347

[ID: A hand holds a glass rod in a flame coming from a bench-mounted torch. Text at the top reads "Youth Flameworking: Make Glass beads! June 22-25, Ages 13-17."]

06/05/2026

In May, CAFAC had the pleasure and honor of hosting silversmith Nicole Ringgold for a 5-day, 40-hour intensive workshop. Nicole taught students techniques that she uses every day to create intricately detailed and lifelike representations of plant life with sheet, wire, and solder. Swipe to the end to see a collection of demo pieces made during the workshop!

[ID: 1. A hand holds a hammer above a small punch, resting on a metal oak leaf. 2. Nicole Ringgold sits at a workbench using a rotary tool to work on a small piece. 3. A student wearing a blue shirt and magnifying lenses focuses a small torch on a metal piece at their workbench. 4. A collection of pieces made of silver and copper sheet, wire and solder to resemble plants and insects rests on a workbench. Objects include a butterfly, leaves from various trees and plants, a number of flowers, and small berries.]

06/03/2026

This June 12th, come to 38th & Chicago for a community celebration hosted by the 38+Chi Business Coalition! This event is about celebrating community, culture, and resilience in South Minneapolis.

The day’s highlights include a car and motorcycle show, small vendors, an art crawl, a family zone with activities for all ages, and live DJing from 5-8:30pm.

CAFAC blacksmiths will be outside forging spoons from 4-7pm. Stop by to watch and maybe take a few hammer swings!

For more information, contact [email protected].

06/01/2026

Create a sculptural piece using three fire arts in this combo class! You'll learn the basics of flameworking with borosilicate glass, cuttlebone casting with lead-free pewter, and soft soldering techniques, as well as how to combine all three into one piece. We'll start with boro flameworking, making components to soft solder together into a sculpture. The next session will cover pewter casting, creating additional components. Finally, you'll learn how to use soft soldering techniques to combine your glass and pewter elements into a sculpture.

This is a semi-intermediate class where ambitious beginners are welcome but the pace will be fast. If you have prior experience with at least one of the mediums, you'll be more comfortable keeping up. Register at https://cafac.wildapricot.org/event-6578863

[ID: A hand holds a small piece with stained glass, flameworked glass, cast, and soldered elements over a table. Text at the t op reads "Torch + Pour + Solder. June 8, 15, and 22 from 6-9pm"]

05/29/2026

CAFAC's Summer quarter classes are now open for registration to the public! Visit the link in our bio to see what's coming up this summer quarter and register. Don't wait - some of our classes fill up fast!

Scholarships are available to anyone with need as well. See the link in our bio for more information and to apply.

[ID: A person in a brown long-sleeve shirt with safety glasses and gloves smiles as they look down. Text at the bottom reads "Summer Classes are open!"]

Address

3749 Chicago Avenue
Minneapolis, MN
55407

Telephone

+16122940400

Website

http://www.cafac.org/

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