MCG Youth admits students of any race, sex, national origin, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Fall 2024

MCG Youth has been dedicated to inspiring creativity, learning, and personal growth through the arts for over 50 years.

By providing opportunities to hone their creative skills alongside teaching artists, we are focused on developing personal, artistic, future-ready, and civically minded high school students.

We are committed to creating a community that fosters a sense of belonging, interconnectedness, and hope.

ENROLLMENT

Apprenticeship Training Program(ATP) enrollment will be held exclusively via our website.

Enrollment will open on September 10th at 6:00 p.m.*
Spaces fill quickly, so sign-up early!
Courses are offered at no cost to students.
Admission is on first-come, first-served basis.
Waitlists will be maintained.

*Jazz Enrollment will remain open from Sept. 10th- Sept. 24th.

Not sure which class to try? Visit our Open Studios on Mondays and Fridays and see what medium fits your creative flow!

TRANSPORTATION

There will be a van or bus at most PPS high schools going to MCG Youth.

For all other students, transit tickets will be provided or MCG staff will arrange for pick-up.

Public transit tickets will be provided to get home.

Questions?

Contact- Claira Heitzenrater
Email- cheitzenrater@manchesterbidwell.org

Phone- 412-322-1773 Ext. 187

Fax- 412-321-2120

Click Here

Registration

Fall Course Listing

Collage It!

Tuesday Class: September 24th – November 19th (No class 11/5), 8 class sessions

If you can imagine it, you can collage it! We’ll explore the art of contemporary collage, from portraiture and 2D, to 3D-sculpted collages. Utilizing paper, fibers, organic and upcycled materials from the world around us, we will take collage art to the 5th dimension. All levels welcome.

A to ZINE

Wednesday Class: September 25th – November 20th, 9 class sessions

Want to learn about zines? Explore the world of fun, folded paper books! In this class, we’ll utilize all the design studio has to offer to create zines for your own means! We will also work alongside MCG’s newest fellow and alumni, Pittsburgh artist Justin Dumas.

Totes Ma-Gotes: Intro to Sewing

Thursday Class: September 26th – November 21st (No class 10/3), 8 class sessions

Let’s learn the basics of sewing! Using both hand and machine sewing techniques, you will create simple projects to gain confidence in the textile arts. Some projects include throw pillows, garments, and accessories to celebrate your unique style. Open to all skill levels, no cap.

Storyboard Spectacular

Tuesday Class: September 24th – November 19th (No class 11/5), 8 class sessions)

Using techniques out of the movie production pipeline, we’ll illustrate captivating tales of your own imagination! We’ll explore the skill of storyboarding, a method of sequentially visualizing scenes from the perspective of the viewer. Dive into examples from BTS footage from animated films, then create your own Storyboard Spectacular!

From the Mind

Wednesday Class: September 25th – November 20th, 9 class sessions

Have you ever imagined a world, or taken a character on a journey through your dreams? Have you wondered what it takes to get these mental machinations into the real world? In this class, you’ll learn how to use digital painting to open a window into your thoughts and create concept art!

Ready, Set, LASER!

Thursday Class: September 26th – November 21st (No class 10/3), 8 class sessions

Each Thursday we’ll put new blueprints and materials under the laser as we explore different production techniques using our state-of-the-art laser cutter. From DIY VR headsets to wearable works of art, learn how to use this precise piece of equipment to forge your own digital designs.

Made to Sell

Tuesday Class: September 24th – November 19th (No class 11/5), 8 class sessions

Wanna make some money at MCG? In this class we will focus on making simple, home-centric items that you can put into the MCG holiday sale! This class will mostly focus on hand building techniques with limited time on the pottery wheels. Open to all levels.

Soda Dream

Wednesday Class: September 25th – November 20th, 9 class sessions

We are partnering up with Carlow University to get special experience with soda firing. Soda firing (not to be confused with Sodapop) is a technique that creates a vapor glaze in the pottery kiln. We’ll be using mostly hand building methods to create functional wares.

Wheels Up

Thursday Class: September 26th – November 21st (No class 10/3), 8 class sessions

In this class we’ll learn to use the pottery wheel! If you’ve seen throwing videos online and thought, “I can do that”, well, you can! It takes some work and practice, but with some perseverance, you can make it happen. If the wheel isn’t your thing, we can always explore other ways folks make pottery.

Safari Pittsburgh

Tuesday Class: September 24th – November 19th (No class 11/5), 8 class sessions

The time is right for exploring your world! This digital photo course will take trips to local & regional locations. Learn about the area you’re photographing while taking tremendous images! Students enrolled in this class will be given first preference for weekend field trips, like Fallingwater.

Experimental Photography: Digital Edition

Wednesday Class: September 25th – November 20th, 9 class sessions

Have some fun learning all about digital photography! Explore the differences of a DSLR and Mirrorless camera. Use different lenses, attachments, and filters- oh my! After, enhance your images using photo editing programs and have the opportunity to print large format!

All Around Black & White

Thursday Class: September 26th – November 21st (No class 10/3), 8 class sessions

Experience your work through the lens of a black and white film camera. See the variations of gray tones that can also be a sight to behold! Local trips will be taken to hone in on a theme to enhance your photography skills.

Tell Your Story

Two-Day Class held Tuesdays and Thursdays

Tuesday Class: September 24th – November 19th (No class 11/5), 8 class sessions

Thursday Class: September 26th – November 21st (No class 10/3), 8 class sessions

Mandatory Performances:

10/1 Masterclass with Ray Angry at MCG

11/21 Family Night at MCG 5:30pm

Calling ALL instrumentalists! Jazz is more than music. Jazz is a way of thinking about your environment and how you interact with it. Through the study of the legacy of jazz composers from Pittsburgh, Mark Jackovic will lead high school students in creating original compositions combining melody, harmony, and rhythm.

Fall 2024

ENROLLMENT

TRANSPORTATION

Questions?

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Registration

Fall Course Listing