Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center (CAFAC) is a non-profit arts organization that fills a unique niche in the Twin Cities. We focus on art forms produced using heat, spark, or flame: blacksmithing, enameling, glass, jewelry making, metal casting, neon, sculptural welding, and more. The pillars of our programming are arts education, artist support, and public art, which together provide a platform for social impact and community-driven resources.
sparking creativity! Fueling community.
Classes are open to anyone with an interest and start on a quarterly basis (January, April, July, and October). Youth camps are offered in the summer and during school breaks. Registration opens about five weeks in advance of each quarter. Members of our Fuelership supporters program get early registration benefits, one week before everyone else!
Learn more about taking a class at CAFAC.
Shop access programs offer use of welding, metal fabrication, blacksmithing, flameworking, and neon bending equipment in a safe, supervised and well-maintained facility. Participate as a returning student, or complete a test-out and buy a SPARC pass to use weekly shop hours. A limited number of private studios that come with full-time shop access are also available.
Learn more about using the CAFAC shop.
The gallery features work on consignment year-round and hosts regular exhibits and events, providing emerging and established artists working in fire arts forms an opportunity to show and sell their work. The gallery operates on a regenerative model, with proceeds benefitting our scholarship fund to remove barriers to participation in CAFAC classes.
Learn more about the CAFAC gallery.
CAFAC collaborates to create public art that engages community, embeds education, and addresses social and environmental justice. We specialize in supporting new and under-represented public artists with a range of services including mentorship, design, fabrication, installation, and project management. We also commit to developing the skills of emerging public art fabricators.