In addition to the captivating performances and unique vendors, Art 634's Steampunk on the Bricks festival offers a wealth of exciting activities and immersive experiences. Dive into a variety of steampunk-themed speaker sessions, hands-on make-and-take workshops, and discover our all-new "Mystic's Parlor," where you can meet a selection of intriguing readers. For those seeking a bit of friendly rivalry, don’t miss our thrilling steampunk competitions, where creativity and craftsmanship take center stage. Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge, explore your curiosities, or show off your skills, there’s something for everyone at this one-of-a-kind event.

 KNOWLEDGE SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS

Please Note: Additional steampunk sessions will be added here as we get closer to the event date. Some workshops may include a materials fee. It will be listed below in the drop down descriptions.

  • Speakers: Rebecca Heinrich & Laura Croff

    Uncover the secrets of transforming ordinary garments into extraordinary steampunk masterpieces using creativity, resourcefulness, and a dash of Victorian-inspired ingenuity.

    Join Rebecca Heinrich and Laura Croff they share their expertise, tips, and tricks for achieving that distinctive steampunk flair without breaking the bank. Whether you're a seasoned steampunk enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this workshop promises to inspire and empower you to embrace your inner adventurer and fashion a one-of-a-kind steampunk creation that's as unique as you are.

  • Workshop by: Professor Cornelius S. Zowski

    Unleash your creativity! Craft your very own preposterous steampunk bracer for just $15 ($20 with battery-powered lights and a gauge). Under the guidance of the renowned Professor Cornelius S. Zowski, aka "Professor Corny," and his skilled assistant, you'll design and build your own unique creation. All materials and tools are provided. Some of the professor's own creations will also be available for purchase.

    Professor Cornelius S. Zowski, aka, “Professor Corny”, is a professor at MIT, Michigan Institute of Tinkery, a subterranean professorate of absurdity and wonder. He has been instructing participants at Steampunk events on the finer points of tinkery for the past seven years.

  • Speaker: Brian Scull

    While people of the 1800s were prudish about many things, their comfort with death was far different from modern sentiments. Nowhere is this more evident than in Britishmourning etiquette during the time of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837 to 1901). The death of her husband, Prince Albert, in 1861 ushered in a strict display of mourning that the general public would follow. What became customary mourning, by today’s standards, seems downright macabre and morose.

    Mourning periods were regulated, mourning dress was dictated, and burial arrangements became more extravagant. Contemporary literature and the arts romanticized death.

    In this panel discussion we will look at the funeral customs and superstitions associated with the Victorian era: including memento mori, funeral rites, and mourning practices.

    Brian Scull is a lab manager for a scientific research institute in Michigan. In his spare time he enjoys cemetery photography, reading historical fiction, and doing research on 19th Century historical topics. Victorian Funeral Customs is one of several different historical topics that he has presented on at Steampunk conventions in the past ten years.

  • Workshop by: Ari Franklin Paints
    Details coming soon.

  • Speaker: Karn Cornell
    Details coming soon.

2025 Steampunk Tourneys

Is your gas lamp burning with the drive to win? Join Steampunk Xena and her crew for a series of uproarious competitions that promise fun, flair, and plenty of surprises! Sign up sheets will be available onsite for those who wish to compete.

Not a competitor? No problem! These competitions are a blast to watch, and you’ll find yourself laughing along as the action unfolds. Plus, the excitement ramps up when the top contenders hit the big stage for the grand finale — Stick around until the end to see who will claim first place in each category.

  • Compliment dueling is a playful and lighthearted exchange where two people take turns giving increasingly elaborate or creative compliments to one another. The goal isn’t to compete in a mean-spirited way, but to see who can outdo the other with the most over-the-top or clever praise. It’s kind of like a verbal “one-upmanship,” but all in good fun and positivity.

  • Parasol Duelling is perhaps the most gracious and elegant of the Steampunk 'sports' that may be used in competition or to settle minor differences amongst friends. 

    ​​Based loosely on the game 'rock paper scissors', in parasol duelling the combatants aim to present their parasols in one of three alternative positions, called the plant, snub and twirl.

  • Tea Duelists, armed with teacups and biscuits rather than swords, engage in a delicate battle of nerves and timing. Under the watchful eye of Steampunk Xena and her crew, participants dunk a biscuit into hot tea and vie to be the last to consume their treat without it crumbling. Amidst the backdrop of airships and gears, this spectacle marries suspense with showmanship, showcasing a duel not of might, but of patience, precision, and a perfectly dunked biscuit.

Step into the Mystics' Parlor

Venture into a realm where the veil between worlds grows thin, and the secrets of the Aether are waiting to be revealed. Allow the mystics to guide you through the mysteries of time and fate while unlocking the hidden truths of the universe.

Readers:
Tarot by Claire - Tarot Cards
Karn Cornell - Astrology Readings
Danielle Serena Watley - Oracle Cards

Complete list of confirmed participating readers for the Mystics’ Parlor will be added soon. Please check back.