MCG Youth

07/28/2026

Picture this: it’s late in your Summer Studios session. You’ve finished your projects for the day but you’re still feeling that creative itch. What do you do? Start a band of course!

That’s exactly what a group of middle school students in Zo Zielinski’s afternoon MCG Youth Summer Studios class did. The students got together for an impromptu performance of Billie Jean.

Why?
Why not.
Enjoy. 🎶🎸🥁

07/21/2026

Lights, camera, animation!

Students in MCG Youth teaching artist Ben Pyles’s Don’t Stop the Motion summer studios class turned clay, paper, toys, and handcrafted sets into original animated films as part of the MCG Youth Digital Summer Studio.

Along the way, they learned storyboarding, character design, filming techniques, and digital editing while collaborating with teammates to bring their ideas to life one frame at a time.

We’re excited to premiere their finished films on the MCG Youth blog. Visit the link in our bio to watch the student showcase and celebrate the creativity and imagination of these talented young animators.

StudentShowcase CreativeYouth ManchesterCraftsmensGuild Animation DigitalStorytelling

07/15/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening reception of the Women of Visions, Inc. 45th Anniversary Exhibition last night! 🎨✨ Your support helped make this celebration of 45 years of artistry, advocacy, and community truly special.

Missed the opening? There's still time to visit. The exhibition remains on view through August 30 in the Kerr Gallery at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild. We hope you'll stop by and experience the incredible work on display.

07/07/2026

Four MCG Youth students recently returned from an incredible five-day residency at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, Montana.

Led by teaching artists Matt Zorn and Zo Zielinski, students worked with specialized clay bodies, learned from internationally recognized ceramic artists, and gained firsthand experience in one of the nation’s premier ceramic arts communities. The trip also included a hike up Mount Helena, making for an unforgettable week of creativity, exploration, and growth.

We’re proud of these young artists for embracing this unique opportunity and taking their ceramic practice to the next level.

Read more here: https://www.mcgyouth.org/post/mcg-youth-students-return-from-transformative-archie-bray-experience

This summer, four outstanding MCG Youth students traveled to the renowned Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, Montana, for an intensive five-day ceramics immersion led by teaching artists Matt Zorn and Zo Zielinski.Now in its sixth year, the Archie Bray trip provides students with...

07/06/2026

Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild is proud to present the Women of Visions, Inc. 45th Anniversary Exhibition in the Kerr Gallery.

Founded in Pittsburgh in 1981, Women of Visions has spent more than four decades championing Black women artists through exhibitions, education, mentorship, and community engagement. This special exhibition features painting, fiber art, photography, ceramics, jewelry, mixed media, and more—celebrating a remarkable legacy of artistic excellence and cultural expression.

Exhibition Dates: July 14 – August 30, 2026
Opening Reception: July 14, 6–8 PM
Location: Kerr Gallery at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild

Join us in celebrating 45 years of artistry, advocacy, and collective vision.

07/03/2026

MCG Youth will be closed today, July 3 for the holiday. We will reopen Monday, July 6.

06/25/2026

ATTENTION ADULT CREATIVES: Summer 2026 Art After Dark registration is OPEN!

Make time for your creativity this summer with MCG Youth’s Art After Dark (AAD) — evening classes designed exclusively for adult learners and taught by professional teaching artists.

Return to Raku City (Ceramics)
Tuesdays, June 30 – Aug 4 | 5:30–8:30 PM

Explore alternative firing processes and the excitement of Raku ceramics, pulling work from a red‑hot kiln and experimenting with fire, smoke, and surface. Create bold, decorative (non‑food) wares.

Teaching Artist: Bryce Hemington

MCG Photo Club! (Hybrid Class)
Wednesdays, July 15 – Aug 19 | 5–7 PM plus Friday office hours

A hands‑on photography club for adults with basic skills. Shoot on location, edit creatively in Photoshop, and finish the session with three matted and framed images showcased at a final reception.

Teaching Artist: Jill Wiggins

For more information, click here: https://www.mcgyouth.org/current-art-after-dark-courses

06/19/2026

MCG Youth will be closed in observance of Juneteenth on Friday, June 19.

05/26/2026

Special thank you to everyone who made it out to our MCGI 2026 Award Ceremony on May 15th! We had a blast celebrating student excellence in the arts.

Congratulations to all of our award winners and participants in the Invitational Arts Show.

To view the full event gallery, click here: https://www.mcgyouth.org/2026-mcgi-event-photos

05/25/2026