Chicago Industrial Arts and Design Center

I scream, you scream, we all scream for welding! 💥 (and casting and woodworking and tech!) We may not have ice cream at CIADC, but we have all the tools, materials, and education for youth ages 11-15 to learn industrial arts this summer at our week-long camps!

Camps start June 15 and run weekly through August 21. Sign up for a week, a month, or all summer to learn hands-on skills, explore creativity, and have a ton of fun! Learn more and register today at ciadc.org.

Our new gallery show is open! This show features two CIADC members who combined form and function to create beautiful and useful pieces for household use. Elliott Dudnik submitted his Jupiter Side Table (can you guess why it’s called a “Jupiter” table?), which uses a technique he picked up from a book of woodworking projects. Steve Horwath’s Assorted Hooks demonstrate how elegant and sturdy welded metal can be.

Want to start your journey to making pieces like this? Summer registration for adult classes is now open! Head to ciadc.org to search any one of our four shops and sign up today!

Hip hip hooray, registration for our summer term opens today! You can now sign up for classes that begin June 22. Spend your summer learning a new craft or hobby in any of our shops!

Our five-week classes are great for just getting started or dipping your toes into a new craft; for lots of time in metalworking and woodworking shops, check out our ten-week classes.

We run sessions on weekdays, weeknights, and weekends, so there’s never been a better time to sign up and try something new! Head to ciadc.org today to register before they fill up!

A round of applause for our 2026 After School Matters spring cohort! 👏👏👏 We celebrated the end of their program with a showcase last week, when students were able to tour the shops with their families and present their favorite projects!

These 24 students attended the after-school program at CIADC twice a week for eight weeks, rotating through our various shops to learn STEM skills and develop interests that could be their next hobby, craft, or even career. As always, we love partnering with After School Matters and everything they do for teens across the Chicago!

Do you know a Chicago Public Schools teenager who would be interested in learning industrial arts? Keep an eye on the After School Matters website for the application for our fall program. Can't wait that long? Sign up for an adult class that starts next week at ciadc.org!

"I find your lack of metalwork disturbing..." 🤔

Happy Star Wars Day to all who celebrate! Darth Vadar probably wasn’t qualified to use a plasma cutter (or any other tool in our shops, for that matter!) but you can learn metalworking and more during the last half of our spring term. Classes start on May 11, so don’t wait—sign up today at www.ciadc.org, and "May the Fourth" be with you!

Don’t miss this month’s gallery show! Featuring themes of nature and functional artistry, this show has five pieces created in our Woodworking and our Metalworking & Forging shops. From practical wood pieces to sculptural designs in metal, this show conveys the talent and hard work of our CIADC members and students!

The artists in April's show are:
• Andy Bonk
• Doug Rhodus
• Ray Ames
• Robert Lau
• Sue Cahill

This show is only open until May 17, so don’t wait! Swing by CIADC whenever we’re open to see it in person, or check out our virtual gallery at ciadc.org.

Coming Up: Five-Week Creative Industrial Arts Classes for Adults and Youth - https://mailchi.mp/ciadc/creative-industrial-arts-learn-new-skills-and-have-fun-8349846

Happy Earth Day! 🌏 There are so many ways to promote a healthy planet and good environmental practices. At CIADC, each of our shops has a place for scraps that can be reused, reducing the need for new material for smaller projects.

Learning a craft is also a great way to create what you need with intention. Thinking of switching to a non-plastic cutting board? Sign up for a class to make your own! Want custom shelves to fit your kitchen cabinets? Learn how to make them with CNC fabrication. The possibilities are endless when you have the skills to create items and art that are meaningful and long-lasting. Join us today at www.ciadc.org!

Take a dive into STEM and the industrial arts this summer! 🔨💥🪚 Our summer camps for students ages 11 to 15 start on June 15 and run every week through August 21. It’s the perfect way for young makers to explore a new shop or build on their skills!

Sessions run Mondays through Fridays from 12:30-3 and 3:30-6, and the same student signed up for both time slots in a week can save 5 percent. Most shops are still available for most weeks, but be sure to sign up soon at www.ciadc.org to get the times and shops you have in mind!

Did you take a class at CIADC? Did you love learning new skills? Do you want to get more involved with a community of makers? Become a CIADC member to get access to studio time, exclusive workshops, and more!

Members who take a class or complete a safety training each term can sign up for studio time in their shops, and all members can attend our monthly members-only workshops series. What’s more, when you become a member, you join a community of like-minded folks who love to make and create!

Learn more at www.ciadc.org/membership-overview.