Enhance leadership skills
through learning and applying basic skills in the industrial arts.
The Crucible is an arts education center that fosters a collaboration of arts, industry & community. Through training in the fine and industrial arts, The Crucible promotes creative expression, reuse of materials and innovative design while serving as an accessible arts venue for the public.
Carla was the lead faculty in the all-women teaching group that hosted The Alameda County chapter of Girls, Inc. in the summer of 2003. The day-long workshop for thirty young women aged 11 to 12, generously funded by the Elizabeth and Stephen Bechtel Jr. Fund, included instruction in technique, safety and completing a collaborative complex metalworking project. The experience inspired curiosity, creativity, exploration, achievement and confidence... After their day of hands-on learning, participant Donna said "I didn't know I had the power to believe in myself until today."
Carla also teaches the Women's Welding Workshop at The Crucible, a special workshop just for women taught by women, where participants experience a hands-on intensive course in arc welding and oxyacetylene torch cutting.
For the more experienced student, Carla teaches advanced welding, as well as collaborating on the Advanced Women's Welding Weekend program. For students with basic welding skills who want to advance to working on projects, this course series focuses on honing the basic techniques and is project-intensive.
Beyond welding, Carla teaches blacksmithing, providing students with the foundation skills needed to develop an appreciation and proficiency in forge-work.
"So many people believe that blacksmithing is only an historical art form. But contemporary blacksmithing provides new artistic directions for artists, and right now, blacksmithing is in a very exciting phase of innovation and explosive creativity. More and more artists, designers and metal fabricators are re-discovering the unique textures and forms that can only be made with a good old-fashioned forge and anvil."
For more information about Carla's workshops and classes, please contact Carla or visit the website of The Crucible.
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Carla is committed to educating and sharing knowledge about metalworking. She teaches workshops in blacksmithing and welding, and is dedicated to forging new opportunities for women in the industrial arts. Her work with youth, especially young women, uses the education process to foster creative expression, empowerment and build confidence in technical skill sets.
"I love teaching new skills to people who are interested in expressing their personal creativity in metal. I teach in a collaborative way, helping students to discover their own unique way of looking at a project and working with the materials. My goal is to foster confidence with metalworking techniques, while at the same time, assisting students to develop the technical skill set for ongoing work in metal."