Hot Shops

Last summer my husband and I visited Hot Shops, a local art center here in Omaha. The first area we went in was Loken Forge. They had an activity where you could choose up to seven pieces of metal and arrange them into a sculpture. I immediately got really excited and started picking out my pieces, and then looked up a few minutes later and wondered why my husband wasn’t picking out any for himself. I found six suitable pieces and designed this awesome structure.

Since this activity was actually planned for children (and I don’t know how to weld), the guys at the Forge actually welded it for me. I did get to look through welding goggles while they did it. We walked around the rest of the Hot Shops while it cooled and then went back to the Forge where they spray painted it for me.

The rest of the Hot Shops were also very interesting. They have just about every medium of arts and crafts there. The one area we didn’t spend a lot of time in the glass blowing area (it was August when we went). I see they have another open house planned for December 4^th and 5^th, though, so I’ll probably check it out then!

Supplies Needed:

• Steel or iron base piece
• 5-6 small steel or iron pieces
• Blow torch
• Safety goggles
• Spray paint