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

Spring 2026

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 March. 24th 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 March 6th- April 6th.

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

Spring Course Listing

Painting with Thread

Tuesday Class: April 7- June 2

(8 Class Sessions; no class May 19)

Learn essential embroidery and appliqué stitches, techniques, and patterns to add to fabric. Whether you want to personalize clothing, make gifts, or explore a new creative outlet, this class will guide you through the fundamentals.

Bride of Franken Fashion

Wednesday Class: April 8- June 3

(9 Class Sessions)

Learn essential stitches, techniques, and patterns to create beautiful designs on fabric. Whether you’re looking to personalize clothing, make gifts, or explore a new creative outlet, this class will guide you through the fundamentals of needlework.

Botanicals and Bugs

Thursday Class: April 9- June 4

(8 Class Sessions; No class May 14)

This class focuses on how to let nature inspire us and use it in different art processes. We will be drawing, printmaking, and making cyanotypes to apply our designs to paper and fabric (like t-shirts, pants, and bags). Get ready to go for a walk on the wild side.

Digital Drip

Tuesday Class: April 7- June 2

(8 Class Sessions; No Class May 19)

Ready to turn your outfit ideas into real wearable art? In Digital Drip, students step into the role of fashion designer — blending digital illustration, graphic design, and hands-on production to create custom fashion pieces.

Color Quest

Wednesday Class: April 8- June 3

(9 Class Sessions)

Ready to unlock the secret power of color? In this hands-on art class, students dive into the vibrant world of color theory — learning how colors mix, clash, and completely transform a piece of art.

Script to Screen

Thursday Class: April 9 – June 4

(8 Class Sessions; No class May 14)

Ever wanted to create your own dating sim, horror story, or chaotic meme-filled game where you control the drama? In this hands-on digital art + storytelling class, students will learn how to design, write, and build their very own visual novel using the beginner-friendly game engine Ren’Py.

The Wheel Deal

Tuesday Class: April 7- June 2

(8 Sessions; no class May 19)

Spin your imagination into shape! Explore wheel-throwing fundamentals like centering, pulling, shaping, and trimming. Create bowls, mugs, vases, and more! Experiment with combining forms for unique, personalized designs.

Steeped in Clay

Wednesday Class: April 8- June 3
(9 class sessions)

Explore the art and tradition of teapot-making. Students will experiment with both hand building and wheel-throwing methods to create teapots ranging from classic forms to sculptural, imaginative designs. Topics include spout and handle construction, lid fitting, and surface decoration. The course also includes historical context and an interactive tea ceremony to experience your creations in use.

Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Tails 

Thursday Class: April 9- June 4

(8 Class Sessions; No class May 14)

Capture life in clay! Explore the human and animal form through sculpture. Learn additive and subtractive techniques, texture, and basic anatomy to bring figures to life. Perfect for students who want to make realistic and expressive sculptures.

Aperture Priority

Tuesday Class: April 7- June 2
(8 Class Sessions; No Class May 19)

Focus! Experiment with close-up focus and far away focus. Notice the difference between the two and have fun taking digital images. Field trips will be the primary focus of this class going to places around Pittsburgh and beyond! Open to all skill levels.

Shutter Priority

Wednesday Class: April 8- June 3
(9 Class Sessions)

It’s all about the motion in this digital photography class! Capture your moments using a fast shutter to make everything still or capture them with a slow shutter to create creative motion pictures. We’ll spend some time in the portrait studio then we’ll hit the roads taking pictures on the go! Open to all skill levels.

B& W Photography

Thursday Class: April 9- June 4

(8 Class Sessions; No Class May 14)

So, you want to print those negatives? Let’s do it! Even if you don’t have any negatives, we’ll go out taking pictures so you can print in our darkroom. You’ll have the chance to print from 5X7 all the way up to 11X14 paper! Learn tradition printing techniques as well as creative printing techniques. Open to all photography skill levels.

Tell Your Story

Two-Day Class held Tuesdays and Thursdays

Tuesday Class: April 7- June 2

Thursday Class: April 9- June 4

No Programming: 3/31, 4/2, 5/14

Mandatory Events:

Tamara Tunie at MCG - 5/21/26

Family Night at MCG - 6/5/26

Maximum Class Size: 15

Cost: Free

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.