In a 48,000-square-foot building that was a cardboard tube factory in a past life, glass blowers, neon sign makers, TIG welders and silversmiths thrive at the fire arts school. Over the roar of the forges, Executive Director Michael Sturtz describes the highly competitive, unsupportive atmosphere at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago where he earned his master's degree in fine arts.

"There were too many artists, and not enough people, if you know what I mean," he says with a grin.

After graduate school, Sturtz returned to his East Bay roots, determined to make creative work more accessible, and help artists get together in a more supportive environment. He began hosting informal gatherings in his West Oakland art studio (dubbed Bronze Casting BBQ Weekends) and started networking. And, kaboom! Five years ago, The Crucible exploded into existence.

"It's really OK to be a beginner here," Sturtz says, as he steps over the live railroad spur that bisects his workplace. He shows off delicate swirling glass bottles and hammered copper bracelets. Behind him a group of students is fussing over tiny circuit boards, studying kinetic art. Later, they'll dissect the vintage pinball machine that waits in the corner.

In another classroom, an instructor of Property of Metals points to a whiteboard filled with squiggles, "In theory, when it rains, the airplane should dissolve, but it doesn't because ..." But Sturtz forges ahead, saying, "Our teachers don't have to have a master's degree. But they do need to have passion."

Sturtz grew up working in an auto body shop, and his father is a surgeon. No wonder then, that he is adept not only at sculpting and metalworking, but is also a genius when it comes to running his organization.

The artist cum social entrepreneur strolls past a $100,000 glass kiln, an 80-year-old G&E metal planer, an enormous cast iron fountain that once spouted water in downtown Oakland, all of which have been donated to the nonprofit. Last year the organization moved from Berkeley into its new home in West Oakland, and since then, sparks have really started flying.

The Crucible has just celebrated its fifth birthday, but the fire arts school already has many glowing accomplishments. It has purchased and is outfitting its new headquarters. It hosts red-hot, public eye-catching events like the sold-out Fire Opera in January. And this year, it will offer more than 100 courses. Sturtz expects 3,000 students to flow through The Crucible's roll-up doors this year to hammer on anvils, polish gleaming metal, blow molten glass and swallow fire.

In this high-tech age, when people are increasingly wedged into cubicles and plugged into computers, getting your hands dirty can light a creative fire.

"There's a lot of accidental art therapy happening here," Says Sturtz. "We don't sit folks down and say, 'OK, let's be creative,' but it happens when you make art with your hands." He tells about the 30 adolescents from Girls Inc. who recently spent a day at The Crucible with a handful of female instructors.

"When they arrived, most of them wouldn't get near the blacksmithing or welding stuff." But by the end of the day, the girls were strutting, high-fiving each other and bragging that they could weld. "The more of that we can do, the better," he says.

Over the next week, The Crucible is hosting a series of fiery events. Saturday, April 3, is The Crucible's Open House, complete with fire dancing, a live molten bronze pour, and neon tube bending. Thursday, April 8, is The Crucible Collection Benefit Art Auction, a fund-raiser for the expansion of The Crucible's programs. The auction will be held at the Oakland Museum of California.

Local artists Bruce Beasley, Bella Feldman, John Lewis and Randy Strong have all contributed pieces, as well as notable sculptors Albert Paley and Beverly Pepper.

The Crucible's spring courses begin April 17. Since September 11, their class rosters have soared. "People wanted experiences that were meaningful to them, they wanted to make something that outlasts them, they want to chase the dreams they've not had a chance to follow," says Sturtz.

If you're fired up to carve alabaster, make a watch, fuse glass, or build your own propane forge, The Crucible is a place to test the heat of your passions. Says Sturtz, "We welcome everyone who didn't think they had a creative bone in their body to come down and prove themselves wrong."

Suzanne LaFetra is a freelance writer and lives in Berkeley.

The Crucible's Open House and Student Art Exhibition
Saturday, April 3, 2004
12:00 ~ 6:00 pm
1260 7th Street, Oakland
Free Admission

Crucible Collection Benefit Auction
Thursday, April 8, 2004
6:30 ~ 9:00 pm
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak Street, Oakland
(510) 444-0919 or (510) 525-7621
www.thecrucible.org or www.sculpturesite.com
Free Admission

Contra Costa Times
Knight Ridder
(925) 943-8270
www.contracostatimes.com