In the already humid temperature of July 25, students and instructors from Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild’s summer session joined family and friends to watch an outdoor iron pour.

“Metal casting is becoming a lost art form,” said Heather Powell, MCG’s coordinator of exhibitions and visiting artists. “Most studio art programs have done away with their foundries over the last decade.”

SUMMER HEAT—Local artist team Hot Metal Happening performs a 2800 degree iron pour at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild Family Day.

A local artist team called Hot Metal Happening led the iron pour. The team heated the iron to 2800 degrees each time they performed a pour.

This was just one of the events featured at the family day where members of the community were given a chance to view the current art exhibition and participate in hands on activities. More than 300 family, friends and community members attended to lend support to the students.

“The event was extremely successful. Everyone was really engaged in the iron pour. Many of the students in our summer program were very active in inviting their parents as well as leading them around to the different studios.”  Brittany Colatrella, MCG’s communications coordinator, said.

MCG is a partner of the Pittsburgh Public Schools that offers students art instruction at no cost. Students from middle school to high school can participate in a variety of programs during the school day, after school, and in the summer.

“I like the freedom I have to teach art the way I want to and experiment with the kids,” photography instructor Natalie Tranelli said. “I feel like the students tend to feel comfortable here. They have the ability to explore what they want without judgment.”

Friends and family were invited to explore three of MCG’s studios where they had the opportunity to meet some of the instructors.

“It’s really important for us to meet parents of students,” said Keith Hershberger, MCG’s digital coordinator. “It’s good for them to see the great things the kids are doing,”

The ceramics studio offered children of all ages a chance to mold clay creations.

Next door, in the photography studio visitors were given access to the darkroom where they used their hands to created shadow images.

In the digital arts studio participants created photos using the Mac computer application Photo Booth.

“It’s a place where I can feel open about being creative,” student Devin Bocka said.

“It’s really diverse and it’s interesting to meet a lot of people who are into the same thing,” student Alexandra Blackwell said.

MCG not only teaches students how to create art, but also gives them the opportunity to interact with professional artists. Artists whose work is featured in the MCG galleries also lead workshops for the students.

“The students get to interact with someone who is a working artist,” Colatrella said. “The artists give a lot of respect to the students as well.”

MCG also offers students many opportunities outside the art studios. Students are able to participate in college tours, career fairs and other field trips.