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

Fall 2025

MCG Youth has been dedicated to inspiring creativity, learning, and personal growth through the arts for almost 60 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 Sept 9th 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 August 8- September 12.

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- Bryce Hemington
Email- bhemington@manchesterbidwell.org

Phone- 412-322-1773 Ext. 112

Fax- 412-321-2120

Click Here

Registration

Fall Course Listing

Intro to Sewing

Tuesday Class: Sept 16 – November 18, 7 class sessions; (No class 9/23, 11/4, 11/11)

Thread it, stitch it, make it your own! In this class, you’ll master the essentials of sewing machine use—from selecting the perfect fabric to adjusting settings for different projects. You’ll get hands-on experience with notions (essential sewing tools) and learn techniques to create small items and stylish accessories. By the end, you’ll have the skills and confidence to bring your textile ideas to life, one stitch at a time.

Prints by 1000 Cuts

Wednesday Class: September 17- November 19

(10 class sessions)

Unleash your creativity through the bold art of linocut printing. In this course, you’ll learn to carve your own designs into printing blocks, transforming them into striking prints on paper and fabric. We’ll start with hand-drawn sketches, then explore creative ways to layer, repeat, and arrange your prints—turning simple patterns into pieces that look ready for a gallery wall or boutique shop.

Mixed Media Merch

Thursday Class: September 18 – November 20

(9 class sessions; No class October 2)

Turn your passions into products! In this creative course, you’ll use the things you love as inspiration to design your own merch. From bold posters and wearable art to buttons, tote bags, stickers, and shirts, you’ll explore a variety of materials and techniques to bring your ideas to life. By the end, you’ll have a collection of custom creations that look ready for a merch table—or your own personal fan club.

Tuesday: Time Travel Marketing

Tuesday Class: Sept 16 – November 18, 7 class sessions; (No class 9/23, 11/4, 11/11)

What if the iPhone came out in the 1980s with synth beats and neon lightning bolts? Or in the 1950s, decked in chrome and pitched like a diner ad? In this class, you’ll reimagine modern tech as if it launched in another era—mixing Victorian engravings, psychedelic ‘70s posters, or even your own visions of the future. Using Photoshop, you’ll design bold, time-bending ads that blend history, style, and innovation.

Beginner friendly

Its Perzinenal

Wednesday Class: September 17- November 19

(10 class sessions)

If someone asked, “Who are you?”

In this class, you’ll turn your passions, quirks, and life experiences into a one-of-a-kind personal zine. Through digital illustration, collage, and words, you’ll shape your identity into a tangible, flip-through piece of art. It’s part self-portrait, part storytelling, and 100% you—bold, raw, and beautifully Perzinenal.

(Photoshop, InDesign ) Beginner Friendly

Rendering Basics

Thursday Class: September 18 – November 20

(9 class sessions; No class October 2)

Unlock the power of lighting, texture, and form in this digital art course centered on rendering. Learn how to push your coloring and understanding of light and shadow further and truly push and polish a sketch to its maximum potential.

Students will learn how to take their flat sketches and transform them into fully realized illustrations using digital tools.

Intermediate & Advanced (Artistic)

Prints on Pots

Tuesday Class: Sept 16 – November 18, 7 class sessions; (No class 9/23, 11/4, 11/11)

Unleash your creativity with clay and print! Carve your own linoleum blocks and transfer your designs onto hand built or wheel-thrown pottery using ceramic inks. Learn carving, inking, and surface design techniques to make mugs, bowls, and plates that are truly one-of-a-kind.

Botanic Panic

Wednesday Class: September 17- November 19

(10 class sessions)

Combine clay and nature! Make traditional Japanese kusamono planters for bonsai displays using hand building and wheel-throwing techniques. In collaboration with the conservatory, your artwork will be on-view at Phipps for their bonsai show! Students will even participate in a field trip to Phipps Conservatory to help plant and display their work.

Monsters in the Making

Thursday Class: September 18 – November 20

(9 class sessions; No class October 2)

Bring your imagination to life! Build a large-scale cryptid, monster, or fantastical creature using coil-building techniques. Learn how to shape, structure, and add expressive textures to create bold, whimsical sculptures that stand out.

Sports Photography

Tuesday Class: Sept 16 – November 18, 7 class sessions; (No class 9/23, 11/4, 11/11)

Pittsburgh bleeds black and gold, and there’s no better place to capture the thrill of the game. In this class, you’ll dive into the fast-paced world of sports photography—learning to freeze action, tell compelling stories, and capture the emotion behind the play. We’ll collaborate with local teams and work alongside professional sports photographers, giving you insider access and real-world experience right from the sidelines.

Videography 101

Wednesday Class: September 17- November 19

(10 class sessions)

Discover the art of video storytelling—where moments become movies. In this hands-on course, you’ll team up with the professionals at ACreative Space Studio to capture an event from every angle, blending still photography and video clips into a polished, cinematic story. You’ll learn the fundamentals of shooting, framing, and editing while working on a real project with real deadlines. This course is perfect for students eager to learn, ready to commit, and excited to bring their creative vision to life.

B & W Photography

Thursday Class: September 18 – November 20

(9 class sessions; No class October 2)

Step into the magic of monochrome. Learn the art of storytelling through the rich tones of black and white film as you shoot with classic 35mm and delightfully unpredictable Holga cameras. Then, watch your images come to life in the darkroom—where shadows, light, and a little chemistry transform your shots into works of art.

Tell Your Story

Two-Day Class held Tuesdays and Thursdays

Tuesday Class: September 16- November 18

Thursday Class: September 18 – November 20

Number of classes: 16

Maximum Class Size: 15

Cost: Free

Registration: August 18- September 12

No Programming: 9/23, 10/2, 11/4, 11/11

Mandatory Events:

Family Night Performance - 11/21 - 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.