Summer 2023
This summer...
MCG Youth is offering an exciting opportunity for Pittsburgh area youth (grades 5-12) to create art in our world-class facility. Use state-of-the-art equipment and professional-grade materials to create one-of-a-kind works of art in our ceramics, photography, design, and digital art studios.
Program Offerings
Middle School
Three two-week sessions for students 10–13 years old, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Students will work in three of our four studios every day creating a variety of projects.
High School
Three two-week sessions for students 14–18 years old, Monday–Friday, 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Each session is focused in one studio, with students spending three hours in one of our art-making studios.
Our Studios & Processes
Ceramics
Hand building, sculpture, wheel throwing, raku firing, and more.
Photography
Design
Digital
Graphic design, digital music, 3-D printing, laser engraving, and more.
Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
1815 Metropolitan Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
412-322-1773
MCG Youth admits students of any race, sex, national origin, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
2023 Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, a division of Manchester Bidwell Corporation
Registration Links
Middle School
High School
Session I
June 26th- July 7th
No programming July 4th
Ceramics
Mello Gold
Ease into the summer vibes as we do a relaxed overview of the potential of the pottery studio. We are going to cover everything from pinch pottery to slab plates, and the pottery wheel. Then we are going to glaze our work so that it’s durable and food safe where appropriate!
Instructor- Bryce Hemington
Design
Art & Nature
In this class, we will use art to connect to nature by painting “en plein air”. We will also build outdoor environmental sculptures inspired by Andy Goldsworthy and gather materials we find outside to use for monoprints. We will also learn how to make handmade recycled paper. Make sure to wear your walking shoes!
Instructor- Raquel Kueffner
Photography
DSLR
Take your digital creations to the next level with state-of-the-art augmented mixed-reality applications. We will explore the ways this new tech brings our digital creations closer to the real world, using cameras, 3D printers and scanners, and even virtual reality spaces.
Instructor- Germaine Watkins
Digital
Digital - Digital IRL
Instructor- Ashley Kenawell
Use our digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras to create all kinds of unique images! Then print the images on professional photo paper to show off your new photography skills!
Session II
July 10th - July 21nd
Ceramics
Creature Feature
We are getting away from normal and getting weird as we create fantasy, science fiction, and horror creatures. These creatures will stretch the boundaries of our imagination as we pull ideas from our favorite media & then mix and match to give us inspiration for our own unique creatures!
Instructor- Bryce Hemington
Digital
Tabletop Test Lab
In this course we will use visual storytelling and game design to create interactive spaces to explore. From map-making to 3D printing, this class will challenge you to build a table-top experience to share with your classmates and beyond!
Instructor- Ashley Kenawell
Design
The Great MCG Make-Off
Have you ever wanted to be in a competition TV show? This is your chance to put your skills to the test. Make the tastiest-looking, show-stopper dessert sculptures. Walk the runway in your most fabulous fashion creation. Be the master of ink drawings. Makers, your time starts now!
Instructor- Raquel Kueffner
Photography
Dream Up & Team Up!
Ready for a one-of-a-kind experience this summer? Well check this out… Carlow University, MCG Youth, and the Warhol will be teaming up to offer a 6-week program where Pitsburgh will be your classroom and creative expression your tool. You will spend 2 weeks at Carlow Universities campus, 2 weeks at MCG Youth’s studios, and 2 weeks at The Warhol. During the 6 weeks you will learn creative expression and activism to promote social change and justice, earning college credits from Carlow along the way. This course gives a hands-on experience of art making in various fields, promoting you to find and utilize your voice in the visual arts and curating exhibitions.
6 Week Course Break Down
Carlow University: July 3 - 7 (NO Class July 4), and August 7 - 11
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Students will engage in campus life, contemporary art history and expression, as well as the art of curating exhibitions. Students will curate a culminating exhibition at Carlow, documenting their 6-week journey, upon completion students will earn college credits.
MCG Youth: July 10 - July 21
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Students will explore the power of photojournalism through the utilization of black and white film photography as they capture their lives, community, and everyday surroundings. Students will digitize their analog film, where they can build upon its foundation during their time with The Warhol, shedding a new light into this medium’s creative potential.
The Warhol: July 24 - Aug 4
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Students will explore the intersections between photography, print, and activism by collaborating with local artists and organizations to create artwork for dissemination and exhibition that promotes social justice, environmental, and humanitarian issues.
*Please feel free to contact Justin Mazzei, MCG Youth executive director with any questions: 412-266-0116
Instructor- Germaine Watkins
Parent/guardian signed forms and waivers must be completed and submitted to MCG Youth at least one week prior to the start of programming.
Session III
July 24th - Aug 4th
Photography
Simply Photo
Dabble in the art of old time photography, creating cool pictures of all sorts!
Instructor- Germaine Watkins
Design
Props & Costumes
Cosplayers, Theater buffs, and Halloween enthusiasts, this class is for you! You will learn how to design and sew your own costumes and learn how to use different sculptural processes to create props. Finally, we will put together a set for our final display.
Instructor- Raquel Kueffner
Digital
Move it, Move it
We’ll be exploring different ways to bring your drawings to life with the process of animation! Each day we’ll test out different techniques for character animation, special effects, and visual storytelling.
Instructor- Ashley Kenawell
Ceramics
Ceramics - Raku Madness!
We are going to burn it all with the help of the new Raku Kiln. In this class, we will be making sculptural and decorative ceramics. Everything will then be taken to 1900°, then pulled out red hot, and finally dropped into a combustion chamber. Let’s embrace our inner pyromania!
Instructor- Bryce Hemington
Digital Photography, black and white film photography, Photoshop, darkroom and more.
Screen printing, drawing, painting, fashion, textiles, sculpture, and more.