Explore the world of crafts and artists while enjoying music and food trucks when the Worcester Center for Crafts (WCC) hosts Hot Night in the City from 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 20. The block-party style event is free to all and will display the work of WCC’s artists.

“Hot Night gives us the opportunity to literally turn ourselves inside out in order to tell the community thank you for being partners with us,” said Honee Hess, executive director of the Crafts Center. “We have these ‘hot’ activities going on every day, but on Hot Night, we bring them out into the open for all to see and enjoy.”

Attendees will be able to try their hand at throwing pots during Wheel Throwing Under the Stars. A portable glass furnace will also be set up in the parking lot to demonstrate the daily glassblowing that goes on at WCC. Blacksmith Joshua Swalec will forge metals outside, while Raku artist Ginny Gillen and her class will do a pottery raku firing. Inside in the Metals Studios, faculty and students will be working and exhibiting their work in jewelry, enamels and more.

New this year, the public will be able to help create cylindrical, carved clay sculptures that will be displayed outside of the Craft Center once the works are fired after Hot Night! Also new, each participant coming in at the front “gate” will receive a free ticket for entry to win a Craft Center t-shirt. Tickets can be dropped into the drawing box located in the Gallery Lobby.

To ignite the evening, there will be an exhibit of Tess Barbato’s paintings in the Krikorian Gallery. Make sure to also keep an ear out for Jubilee Gardens providing an all-original, eclectic mix of music with hints of world, pop, folk and rock for the night.

BT’s Smokehouse, of Sturbridge, will offer wood-fired BBQ; Off the Hook Roadside Eatery, of Rutland, will offer  lobster rolls, chowder and other New England favorites; and Sabor Latino, with its Latin-themed menu, will have vegetarian rice, beans and empanadas. Plus, the Queen’s Cups and Austin Liquors (with an arranged tasting of Worcester’s newest brewery product, Down the Road Brewery beer) will be serving up some sweet dessert!

While activities at Hot Night are free to the public, donations will be accepted. Parking will be available in the former L&J parking lot and on Sagamore Road, Grove Street and Park Avenue. Handicapped parking will be marked behind the Postal Union building.

The Worcester Center for Crafts (WCC) is one of the oldest non-profit institutions for craft study in the United States. For more information, visit worcester.edu/wcc; follow WCC on Facebook & Instagram @worcestercraftcenter and Twitter @WorcesterCraft.