Classes in the Arts

Mini Abstract Landscapes

Thursday, September 22
9:00-12:00pm

In this class, you’ll create a series of 3 mini abstract landscapes (5” by 5”) combining collage with acrylics.  Search for your inspiration in the things that you have in your art, craft or sewing stash. It can be papers, fabrics, fibers, ribbons, buttons – anything that catches your eye and makes you smile. If you’re not “feeling it”, browse through magazines or on Pinterest noticing images that make you pause. Make a note of what attracts you. Is it the color, the texture, the subject, the mood?  We’ll try to capture that in your collages.
We’ll talk about how you can use an inspiration journal or a mood board to plan your art projects and, hopefully, you’ll start to find your style. This class is not about going outside of your comfort zone. It is about discovering your “creative fingerprint” and doing what comes naturally.
This is a class for people of all skill levels. No experience is needed – just come prepared to play!
PLEASE BRING:
Your inspiration pieces like papers (vintage book and music, painted, tissue, cardboard, etc.) fabric scraps, fibers, ribbons, threads, buttons, tea bags, paper doilies, lace, feathers, etc.  These are “mini” sized so your inspiration pieces can be small.
We won’t be getting too messy but an apron is always handy. All other materials are provided.

Presenter: Pat Jorstad
Capacity: 10
Cost: $35 nonmbr, $25 mbr, $15 platinum
Space:  Room 102

Papermaking

Monday, September 26
9:00-11:00am

Learn the easy step-by-step process in making your own beautiful and unique hand-made paper. Play, create and collaborate alongside Epic Enterprise Arts Learners and Epic’s Art Instructor; who will teach you how to make your own paper to take home with you from class. After learning the process you will be able to make paper yourself with just the use of blender!  Join us for a fun-filled morning, and you will discover how much you love hand-made paper too! Materials Provided.

Presenter: EPIC Art Instructor
Capacity:  10
Cost: $9 nonmbr, $7 mbr, $0 platinum
Space:  Room 105

Paint Your Pet 2.0

Monday, Tuesday
October 10 & 11
9:00-11:00am

Artist Julie Fakler will teach you step-by-step how to paint a portrait of your pet. In class you’ll learn about under painting, form, shape and color. In the first class we will complete the first layer of colors(paint), and we’ll return the next day to add a second layer of colors(paint). If time allows more layers can be added to your masterpiece.

Email your pet reference photo to juliefakler@gmail.com two days prior to class starting. Wear clothes that can get paint on them. Materials provided.
(2 sessions)

Instructor: Julie Fakler
Capacity: 10
Cost: $35 nonmbr, $25 mbr, $15 platinum
Space:  Room 105

Expressive Portraits

Thursdays, October 13, 20
1:30-3:30pm

This class is designed for all levels of art experience. We will begin with some basic proportional exercises of the human face in general. No matter how often one attempts a portrait, certain principles of proportion should be followed for a satisfactory outcome. We will go step by step through sketching all aspects of a human face. This exploration will guide you through any portrait you choose to draw or paint now or in the future.

Session 1. Preparing for your Expressive Portrait (10/13)
Handouts will be available
Session 2. Painting your Expressive Portrait (10/20)
We will start by transferring your sketch to a canvas then choosing paint colors

Please bring your self-photo or send your selfie to:
Michelle Loken: michelle.loken@fiftynorth.org
Do not worry, we can help you obtain/or copy your photo on day one! No worries!

Bring your own
Rulers
Your photo (not sure? bring more than one)
Your sketch from the previous week

Instructor: Kate Douglas
Capacity: 10
Cost: $35 nonmbr, $25 mbr, $15 platinum
Space: 105

Hand Building Pottery Class at the Paradise Studio in Faribault

Monday, October 17, Wednesday, October 19,
Mondays, October 24, 31
10:00-11:30am

We are partnering with the Paradise to offer this experience. In this class students will turn their ideas into creations with Dianne’s help – functional pieces such as cups and bowls, non-functional decorative pieces for the wall or personalized holiday gifts. Let your imagination be your guide. We will also add color and use food safe glazes so creations can even be used with food. Clay and guidance will be provided. Bring your ideas and come dressed to get dirty and have fun.
All materials included. Transportation will be on your own.  We encourage carpooling.
(4 sessions)

Instructor: Dianne Lockerby
Max Capacity:  8
Min Capacity:  3
Cost: $72 – one price for all
Space: Paradise Studio, Faribault

Dianne Lockerby 
Pottery for me is a way to relax and let my mind wander. It is, and always has been, a therapy.  I teach pottery, sharing my knowledge with others, as well as creating pottery.  Some of my pieces have a bit of whimsy and others are for everyday use, but all are meant to be handled, used, or displayed.  Pottery takes me back to the earth and the basics and makes time slow or stop when I work.  Relaxing…

Wood Turning Demonstration

Tuesday, October 25
9:00-10:00am

Have you ever wanted to learn the skill of wood turning or just see how this beautiful craft is done? This is an opportunity to watch a wood turning project from beginning to end. There will be time for questions throughout the demonstration. You will be standing most of the time for a closeup view. You may want to bring a pen, notepad, lawn chair and camera. This will be in John’s heated workshop. Space is limited, so sign up early.
*Transportation will be on your own.

Presenter: John Van Ast
Capacity: 10
Cost: No fee
Space: Offsite – John’s workshop, 1810 Prairie St., Northfield, MN  55057

Poetry Writing Workshop

Wednesdays, October 26, November 2, 9, 16
10:00-11:30am

“Explore your interest in writing poetry in a supportive workshop setting dedicated to sparking new poems and to sharing and revising drafts. Along the way, encounter different poetic strategies (including narrative or storytelling poems, free verse, and traditional and non-traditional use of rhyme and meter.) Bring a pen, some paper, and all your ideas!”
Leslie Schultz (Northfield, Minnesota) has published three books of poetry, Still Life with Poppies: Elegies, Cloud Song, and Concertina (Kelsay Books, 2016, 2018, 2019) and two chapbooks: Larks at Sunrise: Light-hearted Poems for Dark Times (Green Gingko Press, 2021) and Living Room, (MWPH). Her poetry has appeared in Able Muse, Blue Unicorn, Hawai’i Pacific Review, Mezzo Cammin, MockingHeart Review, Naugatuck River Review, North Dakota Quarterly, Poet Lore, Third Wednesday, The Midwest Quarterly, The Orchards, and The Wayfarer, and in the sidewalks of Northfield. She writes in both traditional and organic forms, and serves as a judge for the yearly international Maria W. Faust Sonnet Contest. Each April, she writes and shares a poem a day in honor of National Poetry Month. One of her haiku was included on the most recent MAVIN mission to Mars, and it is still circling the red planet. Schultz posts poems, photographs, and essays on her website: www.winonamedia.net. While she sports no tattoos in ink, in her spare time, she memorizes the poems she loves by other poets to create tattoos for the brain and heart.
(4 sessions)

Instructor: Leslie Schultz
Capacity: 8
Cost: $54 nonmbr, $42 mbr, $0 plat
Space: Room 104

Turn a Wooden Bowl or Platter

Tuesdays & Fridays, November 1, 4, 8, 11
10:00-12:00pm

or

Turn a Wooden Bowl or Platter

Thursdays & Mondays, November 3, 7, 10, 14
10:00-12:00pm

Class enrollment will be limited to three so that each person will have their own lathe to work at.  No prior experience is required but if you want to practice existing skills, you are welcome.  In this class, you will learn or expand your skills in cross-grain turning, in which the grain of the wood is perpendicular to the axis of rotation.  You will turn either a bowl or a platter.  Your choice.   You will learn and practice how to use the bowl gouge and scrapers.  You will also learn how to sand your finished piece on the lathe using a small power sander.  Based on the planned use of your piece, you will select and apply a suitable finish.

Class members are encouraged to come to the makerspace at other times between meetings to practice if they can.  Dave will be happy to make himself available and meet individual students at such times.  There is no extra charge for these off-schedule sessions.  There is always plenty of wood to practice on.  The goal is to make as many shavings as possible.

You will need to provide your own hearing, eye protection and respirator/face mask.  You will be expected to wear these when appropriate.  (Foam ear plugs are available at the makerspace at no charge.) All other materials provided.

Instructor: David Peterson
Capacity: 3
Cost: $160
Space: Off-site at Cannon Valley Makers

Dave Peterson’s bio: Dave grew up working in a manufacturing company that cut, stamped, formed and welded steel components for farm and construction machines, rail cars, etc.  After college, he wandered off into academics for a while and lived in the Middle East before returning to the factory as manager/owner.  When he retired, he took up wood-turning, the craft of making round things out of wood: bowls, platters, candle-holders, vases, etc.

Fused Glass Christmas Ornaments

Monday, November 14
10:00-11:30am

Looking to try fused glass? Here is your chance. In this class you will make three ornaments, a Christmas tree, a snowman and a Christmas ball.  The ornaments will make great gifts. Materials provided.

Instructor: Geralyn Thelen
Capacity: 10
Cost: $45 nonmbr, $35 mbr, $25 platinum
Space: Room #102