Chicago Industrial Arts and Design Center

Do you know a cool, creative kid that could use a new after-school activity this fall? Our Youth Pathways Classes (Grades 6-9) are an excellent way for young people to explore the industrial arts in a safe and supportive environment! Youth classes give students both a fun creative outlet and new practical skills that are a great starting point for a lifetime of STEM-related hobbies and careers. Even better, Youth Pathways is FREE for Chicago Public Schools students! 😁
Classes start September 16, and registration is LIVE at ciadc.org! 🍎📚🧑‍🏭

Registration is officially open for Fall Term - swipe for a look at our upcoming adult (16+) programming schedule! Sign up today at ciadc.org ⭐️ We can’t wait to see you in class this fall! ⚒️🪚📚

We have some very exciting new pieces on view in the CIADC gallery this month from members Sue Cahill, Robert Lau, Chip Schuman, and David Curry. Metal is an underlying theme as a medium throughout the show, but each piece represents a delightfully unique take on form, texture, color, and technique. Come by the gallery to check out our very talented members’ work for yourself! ⭐️

We’ve had such an epic summer with our CIADC campers! Our summer camps (Ages 11-15) are an awesome way for creative young people to learn fundamental skills and make something super cool!

Registration is still open for our last three one-week sessions - take advantage of this last little bit of the summer and come learn with us before school starts back! Register today at ciadc.org!

How’s your summer bucket list coming along? Still hoping to delve into a new creative skillset before the summer ends? It’s not too late! We still have open spots in our adult intro classes for the second half of the summer term! Visit ciadc.org to snag your spot in our metalwork, casting, woodwork, and CNC fabrication shops – Class is in session August 3! 📚

You may have noticed it was a little toasty last week… that’s because our CIADC campers were on fire with their projects! 😎 From the casting shop to the computer lab, check out their awesome creations.

If this stuff looks cool to you and the young creatives in your life, you’re in luck! Summer camp spots are still open in our CNC fabrication, casting, and metalwork shops next week. Sign up today at ciadc.org!

Our new gallery show is a cut above! We’re featuring the skill of our woodworking students for June and July—whether it’s functional furnishings or neighborhood-inspired art, these objects celebrate the craft of woodworking. The show’s artists and their pieces are:

• Doug Rhodus - trio of cutting boards
• Katie Kruzan - soap dish, tea light, and hair pin
• Paul Segedin - plywood and copper pipe shelves
• Peter Mikalajunas - "Neighbors"
• Ray Ames - dining room end table

Don’t miss your chance to enjoy their work in person! The gallery is open any time the building is open. And you can always peruse the show in our online gallery at ciadc.org.

Summer camp is in full swing! Students have been enjoying crafting boxes, hooks, castings, and more during their week-long camps. One of the best parts of summer camp is getting to come back every day for a week to focus on a project!

What would you work on if you had a dedicated week to complete a project?

When someone asks about the most exciting thing you did this summer, do you want to say you… 🤔

a) Rewatched Gilmore Girls on Netflix
b) Got a mosquito bite the size of a ping-pong ball
c) Poured molten metal from the fires of a crucible into a mold that you created with your own hands

Summer Term starts next week, so there’s still time to answer C! Our 5- and 10-week classes for adults have openings across all four shops. Summer is going to be hot anyway—why not make something awesome while you’re at it? Learn more and register at ciadc.org!

“The city…” 🏙️

We did a double take when we saw this fabulous Chicago skyline rendered in wood! Our students bring such amazing creativity and ingenuity to their projects, and our youth classes are no exception. At CIADC, we’re all about artistic expression through the industrial arts, and this model showcases just that.

Inspired to create your own mini masterpiece? Week-long camps start on Monday for youth ages 11-15, and our 5- and 10-week summer classes for adults are still open for enrollment! Sign up today at ciadc.org.