Visiting Artist Workshop with Kimberly Thomas | October 7-11, 2026

2026 Visiting Artist Workshop with Kimberly Thomas: Adaptability and Narrative in Flameworking

5-day workshop held October 7-11, 2026 on Wednesday-Friday 9am-5pm daily with a one hour lunch break.

Prerequisites: No prior experience required. Open to ages 14 years and older.

Cost: $750/person. All materials are provided. Eligible for member discounts.

• Wednesday 10/7/26 - Thursday 10/8/26 at Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center (3749 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407)

• Friday 10/9/26 - Sunday 10/11/26 at Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts (2213 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404)

Course Description: In this workshop, students will develop technical proficiency and material fluency through the sculptural possibilities of borosilicate glass. Students will move from foundational techniques into more complex constructions, learning to shape and assemble components with precision and intent. Alongside technical refinement, the class integrates storytelling, guiding participants to build a personal sculptural language and articulate narrative through form, structure, and detail. Instruction includes both group and individual demonstrations, with an emphasis on process, craftsmanship, and the steady expansion of creative voice. This workshop is being co-hosted with Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center. Wednesday-Thursday will be held at CAFAC and Friday-Sunday at Foci MCGA. Students may bring and hook up their own personal flameworking torches at both CAFAC and Foci MCGA - a threaded connection is required, quick-connects are recommended.

Artist Biography: Kimberly Thomas is a biracial interdisciplinary sculptor and flameworker. She is a current artist in residence at Penland School of Crafts in Bakersville, NC. and is known for her work’s intentionally flawed and unusual motifs as well as her intricate sculptural inventions. A self-taught glass artist, Thomas earned a BFA in Ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design and spent six years as a special effects make-up artist before she began flameworking in 2009.

Thomas’s work is often autobiographical and conveys her unique perception of the world. Drawing her influence from concepts, questions, and theories about human nature, she combines realism and fantasy. She imparts her truth into dark, yet entertaining, narratives. Recurring themes in her work include the undesirable facets of life and human nature, freedom from the corruption imposed by society, and expansion of self-knowledge. Thomas challenges viewers to face what makes them uncomfortable in order to invite opportunities for fresh perspectives and personal development.

Artist’s Website

Class is limited to 6 individuals total.

Foci MCGA Cancellation and Refund Policy

This educational service is nontaxable.