Forge
Men and women of all ages and backgrounds come from near and far to take part in BCC’s vibrant smithy community. The Good Forge is a fully equipped shop designed to support learning at every level—from absolute beginners to seasoned artisans.
The shop features ten anvils ranging from 426 pounds down to 70 pounds, several leg vices in a variety of sizes, and a rich assortment of hammers, tongs, hot cuts, fullers, punches, and other hand tools. Students also have access to several Miller MIG welders, two stick welders, an oxy-acetylene rig, a 16-ton Coal and Iron hydraulic press, two coal forges, three gas forges, and a drill press. Additional equipment includes four 2×72 belt grinders, angle grinders, a hand drill, a Fordom tool, a Dremel, three swage blocks, and countless punches, drifts, chisels, and veining tools, along with a self-contained power hammer.
BCC’s blacksmithing, bladesmithing, and welding workshops range from short 3–4 hour sampler classes to weekend-long courses at beginner through advanced levels. Class sizes are intentionally small ensuring plenty of hands-on experience and personalized instruction. For those with prior forging experience, Friday evening Open Studio sessions provide the opportunity to work independently while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow blacksmiths.
Clay
Most clay classes at Brookfield Craft Center are categorized as either high fire or low fire. These terms not only describe the temperatures at which clay is fired in the kiln, but also define the types of clay, glazes, techniques, and aesthetics that can be achieved in each class. Students can explore both wheel throwing—using the potter’s wheel to form shapes—and hand building, which incorporates slab, coil, and pinch methods.
Ceramics classes are offered year-round, with both weekday and evening options available. To ensure a high level of personal instruction and studio access, participation is generally limited to 6-7 students.
Raku
Raku is a traditional Japanese firing technique that emphasizes spontaneity and dramatic surface effects. At BCC, Raku pieces are removed from the kiln while still glowing hot, then placed into combustible materials such as sawdust or newspaper. This rapid cooling process creates striking crackle patterns and smoky, unpredictable finishes, making each work one-of-a-kind.
Fiber
Our beautiful Fiber Studio, located on the banks of the Still River, is a welcoming space for exploring both traditional and contemporary textile arts. Current offerings include classes in floor loom weaving, weaving on portable rigid heddle looms, silk painting, and knitting.
We also welcome community input—if you have class ideas or would like to share your availability, we’d love to hear from you.
Glass
A community of enthusiastic artists and students call the Glass Studio at Brookfield Craft Center home. Lampwork, fused and stained glass classes are generally held as short Sampler Workshops or weekend workshops. Classes range from introductory to master-level, along with Lampwork Open Studio programs for independent practice. Lampwork beads are made using our 7 Minor torches fueled by oxy/propane and an annealing kiln. Small and large fused glass pieces are fired and slumped in “bathtub” and tabletop kilns.
Jewelry
The jewelry program at Brookfield Craft Center is designed to encourage and challenge introductory through advanced students with diverse workshop offerings and open studio bench time. The Jewelry Studio holds 8 students at counter-height benches and is equipped with combination rolling mills, Bonny Doon hydraulic press, flex shafts, oxy-acetylene torches, enameling and PMC kilns, buffing machines, grinders, belt sander, drill press, bench shear, waxers, pitch bowls, raising/forming stakes, tumbler with steel shot, hand tools and much more.
Woodturning
Students and instructors from all over are drawn to Brookfield Craft Center’s Turning Studio. Each of the 6 student stations is equipped with a top of the line JET lathe with task lighting and dust collector, turning tool set, and face shield. The studio contains a band saw, drill press and sharpening stations.
Classes in the Turning Studio include short sampler workshops for beginners, foundation-level courses in bowl and spindle turning, intermediate technique and project-based workshops and demonstrations from legendary master turners.
Special Interest
We are pleased to offer photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, digital media courses and workshops in addition to our core curriculum of craft courses at the Brookfield Craft Center.
Open Studio
Brookfield Craft Center is pleased to offer our students and members the opportunity to use our studios to hone their skills working independently on personal or class projects. Each of our studios have scheduled times for monitored Open Studio hours. Students or members who have achieved an appropriate skill level to work independently are welcome to register online to secure a spot in the open studio.
Forge: Fridays 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Jewelry: Fridays 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Clay : Fridays & Saturdays 6:00 – 9:00 PM, & 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Glass: Mondays, Sundays & Wednesdays (see schedule) 6:00 – 9:00 PM, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Wood: Wednesdays & Sundays 1:00 – 5:00 PM