Touchstone to participate in the Festival of Combustion at Carrie Blast Furnace in Pittsburgh
On Saturday, September 28th from 1:00-10:00 pm, Join Rivers of Steel for its signature event, the Festival of Combustion—a celebration of industrial arts and American crafts!
Showcasing the creativity and innovation of our region’s artists, makers, and builders, the daylong festival includes hands-on activities, craft demonstrations, live music, tours, an artisan marketplace, food, festivities, and much more.
New this year to commemorate its fifth anniversary, the Festival has expanded evening performances! Rivers of Steel and 91.3 WYEP are excited to present acclaimed Nashville singer-songwriter Nikki Lane headlining the show, with the throwback rock and roll sounds of the Ruen Brothers, an English duo from a blue-collar steel town, getting the evening started.
Fireworks, flame performances, an evening iron pour, and a host of arts activities will also light up the night in the western courtyard of the Carrie Blast Furnaces.
A family-friendly event, new hands-on activities this year include Fiestaware Mosaics and free kids zone workshops for the little ones. Live demonstrations include iron casting, blacksmithing, glassblowing, raku ceramics, welding, fabrication and more!
With craft beer, food trucks, live music, and an artisan marketplace, you won’t want to miss Rivers of Steel’s biggest event of the year!
Click for more information2019 Weekend Craft Getaways
Choose from:
- 6 weekends – 2 and 3-day workshops
- 6 different studios – Blacksmithing, Ceramics, Glass, Metals & Jewelry, Painting & Drawing, or Special Topics
- 23 amazing instructors
- 23 inspiring workshops for beginner through advanced artists!
- Plus! The Sixth Annual Alchemist Picnic
You’ll come away inspired, restored, and rejuvenated!
AUG 31-SEP 2 (SAT-MON)
3-Day Workshops
Basics of Forging Steel
with Elizabeth Brim
Beginner-Intermediate
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$35-$55 Materials and Studio Fees
Learn and practice the basics of forging steel so that you can continue to build further skills on a solid foundation in blacksmithing.
Soft Slab: Design and Build
with Jeremy Wallace
Beginner-Intermediate
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$25-$55 Materials and Studio Fees
In this workshop, you will learn handbuilding skills and techniques to create sculptural and functional dinnerware with an emphasis and focus on surface texture.
Flameworking Glass Flora
with Erin Garmezy
All Levels
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$65-$100 Materials and Studio Fees
Learn how to create botanical works on the torch using borosilicate glass. You will learn basic techniques for constructing leaves, flowers, vines, and other flora.
Wired Pendants Using Fiber Techniques
with Marilyn Moore
Beginner
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$50-$85 Materials and Studio Fees
Experiment with textile techniques using a variety of wires and various metal mesh. You will produce pendants that are unique and fun to wear!
Back to Basics
with Ron Donoughe
All Levels
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$15-$45 Materials and Studio Fees
The basics of landscape painting always need to be reinforced: composition, value, color, seeing shapes, and edge treatment. The workshop will also touch on the use of photography as an aid to seeing the landscape, so bring your smart phone or iPad!
SEP 7-8 (SAT-SUN)
2-Day Workshops – Ages 14-Adult
FUNdamentals of Blacksmithing
with Jody Best
Beginner (Ages 14-Adult)
$295 Member | $325 Non-Member
$35-$65 Materials and Studio Fees
No fears, no worries! Join Jody for this intensive, fun workshop that will leave you enthusiastic and informed about the FUNdamentals of blacksmithing.
Making Faces
with Travis Winters
All Levels (Ages 14-Adult)
$295 Member | $325 Non-Member
$25-$55 Materials and Studio Fees
Create dramatic faces that tell a story! Learn how to accurately sculpt faces on hollow forms for sculptural or functional work, spend time focusing on how an expression can change the overall narrative of a piece.
A Closer Look at Nature: Botanical Illustration
with Robin Menard
All Levels (Ages 14-Adult)
$295 Member | $325 Non-Member
$15-$45 Materials and Studio Fees
Botanical illustration differs from all other forms of illustration in that it involves very close observation and scientifically accurate drawing to capture the habits, details, and color of a plant. In this workshop, you will take a closer look at the common things all around us – leaves, branches, tree bark – then capture the details, textures, and colors in a final drawing.
Weaving & Frame Looms for Beginners
with Frances Collier Singh
Beginner (Ages 14-Adult)
$295 Member | $325 Non-Member
$30-$60 Materials and Studio Fees
Explore methods for making small frame looms out of everyday objects. You will learn a variety of tapestry and conventional weaving techniques through a series of small projects and leave with your own miniature looms and the knowledge to make beautiful woven objects with them!
SEP 14-16
3-Day Workshops
Put a Lid on It
with Stephen Yusko
Intermediate
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$75-$105 Materials and Studio Fees
This workshop focuses on using techniques used in making steel vessels. Be prepared to explore inventive uses of material through creative problem solving.
Over the Glaze: Working with Decals
with Julia Claire Weber
Intermediate-Advanced
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$50-$75 Materials and Studio Fees
Step out of your comfort zone and learn Julia’s overglaze decal process! You will learn the process of designing and applying your own decals.
Introduction to Structural Flameworking
with Kit Paulson
Beginner
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$85-$115 Materials and Studio Fees
Learn the basics of flameworking with an emphasis on strategies for building larger structures in glass. Bring grand ideas and expect to learn through lively demos, presentations, and hands-on practice.
Springs and Mechanisms for Jewelers and Metalsmiths
with Nash Quinn
Intermediate
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$65-$95 Materials and Studio Fees
Springs can be used in small-scale metalwork to add movement and drama as well as ensure secure and satisfying catches, clasps, and connections. Projects focus on small-scale spring-loaded objects that snap open and close utilizing a variety of springs, catches, and mechanisms.
Expressive Acrylics
with Carolyn Pierotti
Beginner
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$65-$95 Materials and Studio Fees
Bring your expressive side to life with acrylics. You will leave the workshop with the skills you need to create beautiful, vibrant expressionist paintings. This workshop is for the adventurous who want to have fun with color!
From Fluff to Fabulous: 3-D Felting
Instructor: Rae Gold
Beginner
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$35-$65 Materials and Studio Fees
Delve into a fun exploration of creating 3-D forms from handmade felt! Join Rae for this playful course exploring the endless creative possibilities of this fascinating material!
SEP 21-22
2-Day Workshops
Bladesmithing Basics
with Jared Ondovchik
Beginner–Intermediate
$295 Member | $325 Non-Member
$50-$80 Materials and Studio Fees
Explore the basics of bladesmithing design! At the end of this course, you will walk away with a finished blade with a paracord wrapped handle. Guaranteed to be fun and informative!
Formal Surfaces
with Ryan Greenheck
Intermediate
$295 Member | $325 Non-Member
$25-$55 Materials and Studio Fees
Take your pottery forms to the next level and explore strategies for incorporating surface decoration. This workshop will arm you with a variety of skills to use on your vessels in the future.
Marvelous Marbles
with Michael Mangiafico
All Levels
$295 Member | $325 Non-Member
$50-80 Materials and Studio Fees
Come play with glass! Michael will guide you through learning and/or expanding your marble-making skills and the limitless possibilities that are open to you.
Contemporary Enamel
with Sharon Massey
Intermediate
$295 Member | $325 Non-Member
$45-$65 Materials and Studio Fees
Learn to enamel or expand your enameling vocabulary in this workshop. You will learn everything from enameling basics to more advanced techniques such as champlevé, decals, graphite, and more.
SEP 28-30
3-Day Workshops
Creative Caffeine: Put Legs on Things!
with Caitlin Morris
Beginner–Intermediate
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$45-$75 Materials and Studio Fees
Get a leg up on your blacksmithing skills with this introduction to joinery! The only limit is your imagination!
Alternative Firing Techniques
with Bob Green
Intermediate
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$20-$50 Materials and Studio Fees
In this workshop you will explore several different ceramic firing techniques: raku- a 16th-century Japanese low-temperature glaze firing technique, burnishing bone-dry pots with a terra sigillata slip for a saggar, as well as naked raku– a process of combining raku and burnishing, which produces black and white patterns on the clay surface.
How in the World…?!
with Heather Nuber
All Levels
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$45-$75 Materials and Studio Fees
Bring along those UFOs (UnFinished Objects) that you’ve been stalled on, trying to think of how in the world you were going to attach that thing! Come ready to figure out connection solutions. Leave with at least one finished new piece, a couple of your UFOs resolved, and solid plans on finishing the rest.
OCT 4-6
OCT 4-6 | 3-Day
Community Wood Firing
with Daniel Tomcik
$200 Member
$230 Non-Member
$150 Stand-In fee (required if not working your kiln shifts)
Includes Materials and Studio Fees
The Touchstone Center for Crafts wood kiln is a two-chamber noborigama, built by Kevin Crowe in 1991. The first chamber is wood only and the second chamber is wood/soda. Each chamber is roughly 35 cubic feet. Each participant is encouraged to bring 8-10 cubic feet per share. A variety of slips and glazes will be prepared, with the formulas available to participants upon request. Firing will begin after loading and continue for <48 hours. We will work around the clock in shifts of 1-2 people.
OCT 4-5
Alchemist Picnic
You won’t want to miss Touchstone Center for Craft’s sixth annual Alchemist Picnic October 4–5, 2019!
Alchemist Picnic, a metalsmithing retreat held annually at Touchstone Center for Crafts will once again be hosted by noted metalsmith Wayne Werner. This year’s symposium includes an opening keynote by Lindsay Ketterer Gates, Adam Kenney, and Paul Rosenblatt speaking on the topic of ‘Connections for Creative Careers & Opportunities.’
Demonstrations include Tom Muir, Lucy Derickson, Sean MacMillan, and Brian Ferrell. Admission includes great food, conversations, evening bonfires (weather permitting) & the return of midnight fireside casting with Richard Hoff. All makers, artists, craftspeople, arts organizations, guilds, schools, and universities are invited to attend this memorable event!
Register Now
Be the Artist You’re Meant to Be!
JUL 8–12 | 5-Day (MON-FRI)
5 Introductory Weeklong Workshops: No Experience Necessary
$550 Member | $580 Non-Member
Plus Materials and Studio Fees
Affordable lodging and meal plans available
Introduction to Blacksmithing
with Anna Koplik
Learn how to swing a hammer at the anvil, work a coal forge, and have fun forging hot steel! Everyone will walk away with their own hand forged objects.
Only a couple of spots left!
Register Now
Introduction to Wheel-Throwing
with Stacy Larson
Learn the basics of throwing, shaping, and trimming pottery on the wheel with Stacy as your guide. Then expand on your skills with altering and decorating techniques.
Intro to Stained Glass Copper Foil Technique
with Neile Cooper
Learn the fundamentals of creating stained glass pieces with the copper foil technique. You will have your first completed project on the first morning!
Introduction to Jewelry Making
with Erika Broas
Learn the basics of traditional metalsmithing while creating a variety of jewelry forms. You will fabricate pendants, chains, rings, earrings, brooches, and more, and leave with a great base of knowledge and multiple finished pieces!
An Introduction to Drawing
with Aaron Pickens
This intensive workshop is for participants who want to learn and improve the way they draw. Be ready to explore a range of techniques using various types of materials.
2019 Sculpture-based Workshops – Thad Mosley Scholarship
The Thaddeus Mosley Scholarship 
100% Tuition Scholarship: This scholarship provides 100% tuition for any adult-level sculpture-based workshop at Touchstone Center for Crafts. Additional funds may be awarded to offset the cost of housing, meals, travel and materials fees on a case-by-case basis. This scholarship was established in honor of lifelong Touchstone instructor and friend, Thaddeus Mosley.
Interested in applying? Consider one of these 2019 sculpture-based workshops:
Blacksmithing
JUL 22–26
The Art of Welding with Glen Gardner
This hands-on class is focused on the various skills required to join metal parts through the application of heat. Whether your interest lies in creating sculpture, metal furniture or even someday building a bicycle, this workshop will inspire confidence for building those dreams.
AUG 19–23
Forging Sculptural Forms with Aaron DeShields
This week-long intensive will focus on creative methods and problem solving as it relates to the art of sculptural blacksmithing. Developing artists and seasoned smiths alike are encouraged to join!
Ceramics
JUL 22–26
The Narrative Figure with Kyle and Kelly Phelps
Kelly and Kyle share their process from start to finish and how the use of the figure can be the perfect vehicle to talk about topics like politics, environment, race, religion, class, sexuality, gender, poverty, war, and other issues of our time.
SEP 7-8
Making Faces with Travis Winters
Create dramatic faces that tell a story! Travis will guide you through his technique for sculpting faces on hollow forms for sculptural or functional work.
Glass
AUG 12–16
Knitting with Glass with Carol Milne
Learn to knit with glass using Carol’s signature technique! Working with strands of wax, you will knit small objects to transform into glass using the lost wax casting process. All levels are welcome, but beginners should be prepared to be challenged.
SEP 14–16
Introduction to Structural Flameworking with Kit Paulson
Learn the basics of borosilicate flameworking with an emphasis on strategies for building larger structures in glass. Bring grand ideas and expect to learn through lively demos, presentations, and hands-on practice.
Special Topics
June 26-28
Bronze Casting with Rivers of Steel Arts
Join Rivers of Steel Arts at Touchstone for a one-of-a-kind workshop in bronze casting. You will work with leading foundry artist, Ed Parrish, to build and transform your unique creations into solid bronze.
AUG 12–16
The Art and Craft of Metal Mesh Sculpture and ‘Flame Painting’ with Lanny Bergner
Create sculptural constructions and basketry forms out of metal in this fun mesh-working workshop. Then, explore the fascinating world of ‘flame painting’ by using a propane torch to draw/paint on stainless steel mesh.
Scholarship Applications are due Mar 15
Educators’ Retreat
NEW IN 2019! – EDUCATORS’ RETREAT
AUG 5–9 | 5-Days (MON-FRI)
The Educators’ Retreat provides a week for professional development that will enhance an educator’s own creativity while offering rich content that can translate to the classroom. Choose from a variety of studios and delve into the processes as you explore these techniques and share your findings with other educators/artists. At the end of the week, you will have a treasure trove of unique resources as well as a new toolbox of ideas to share with your students!
Not Just For Art Teachers!
Open to anyone but designed for K-12 educators and those studying to be educators (any subject or grade). Act 48 Credits are available for PA educators, sponsored by PAEA (Pennsylvania Art Education Association). (Touchstone is happy to work with education associations from other states to make any special requirements attainable).
Educator Retreat Scholarships – NEW!
50% – 100% Tuition Scholarships: The purpose of this scholarship is to help K-12 Educators participate in this week of programming. Various scholarships are available and open to any K-12 Educator from any district or state. PLEASE NOTE: Thanks to the generosity of the Community Foundation of Fayette County, there are ten, 100% tuition scholarships available for K-12 educators teaching in Fayette County. Touchstone has applied for financial support from several other geographic-specific foundations and we are waiting to hear how much funding of scholarships will be awarded. In the meantime, we encourage ALL EDUCATORS to apply through our general EDUCATOR RETREAT SCHOLARSHIP application process, choosing Educator Retreat workshops as your preference. Download Scholarship Application
All applications must be RECEIVED by March 15.
Please check our scholarship page for a full list of available scholarships.
EDUCATORS’ RETREAT WORKSHOPS – Choose from:
Glass
Light the Fire with Lampworking Techniques
with Joy Knepp
Light the torch of possibilities and see the magic of chemistry as we experiment with reduction glass and color combinations.
Metals & Jewelry
Precious Metal Clay: From Bead to Box
with Lora Hart
Experiment with Metal Clay, a relatively new technology that transforms powder metallurgy from an industrial use to a creative art form.
Drawing & Painting
Creative Journaling
with Roger Hyndman
Take a creative journey into journaling while you explore a variety of materials and discover the many benefits of keeping an artistic journal.
Ceramics
Murals in Clay
with Chuck Purviance
Learn the ins-and-outs of creating murals in clay as a group project in the classroom or the surrounding community.
Blacksmithing
Forged Fashion
with Ellen Durkan
Step outside your comfort zone and try something new – forge something wearable!
For more information visit: Educators’ Retreat