FEE: Free

Art Explorers: Henri Matisse

Grades 4th - 8th
Tuesday, April 21 (last session of the school year)

Two times to choose from:
1:00-2:00pm (homeschool session) OR 4:00-5:00pm (afterschool)

Register here for 1:00 - 2:00pm: bit.ly/ae421aa

Register here for 4:00 - 5:00pm: bit.ly/ae421bb

April Artist: Henri Matisse, 20th century French visual artist and a leader of the Fauvist movement.

Learn about the life of a famous artist, explore their works, and create a piece of art inspired by the artist. This new program will run monthly January through April.

Led by Arielle McCune (she/her), Youth Services Librarian

The program is supported by The Friends of the Fergus Falls Public Library.

Cancellation Info: If Fergus Falls Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather, all youth programs at the library are cancelled. If there is a late start, morning activities are cancelled. If there is an early out, afternoon and evening programs are cancelled.

FEE: $26 per person (All materials are included)

Crepe Paper Flower Workshop

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, 24 N Main Ave, New York Mills, MN

Join local artist Leona Rogers for a hands-on workshop exploring the art of creating beautiful, lifelike flowers from crepe paper.

Using high-quality German and Italian crepe papers, floral wire, and specialty tools, participants will be guided step-by-step through the process of shaping, assembling, and finishing a crepe paper flower. Each participant will receive a prepared kit with all materials needed to complete one flower during class, plus enough supplies to create two additional blooms at home.

This workshop is ideal for beginners as well as anyone interested in learning a new paper craft technique.

Cost: $26 per person
Registration: Space is limited to 12 participants
To register: https://kulcher.org/52025/
Or call 218-385-3339

All materials are included.

FEE:$10 Member, $15 Non-Member | $5 Member, $10 Non-Member by April 20
Plus $35 materials fee payable to instructor at class

Flower Card With Alcohol Ink

Instructor: Sue Kalseim
Art of the Lakes Gallery
May 4, 6-8pm

Join Sue Kalseim and make this beautiful spring flower. Learn four alcohol ink techniques. Included you'll get a surprise bonus project. No prior knowledge of working with alcohol ink is required.

FEE: $25/$30 Member/Non-Member | $20/$25 Member/Non-Member Early Bird (By April 17)

Acrylic Painting with Stephen Henning

Instructor: Stephen Henning
Glendalough State Park Dining Hall
May 29, 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM

An introductory demonstration followed by hands-on painting under the guidance of a painter with 35+ years of experience working with acrylic paints. There will be discussion and instruction on a variety of acrylic mediums. Get lots of practical tips as you explore a variety of techniques.

If the weather cooperates, we will paint the outdoor landscape. If not, we will work indoors and you will need reference photos. Materials list is included on the registration form.

FEE: $51 Member, $56 Non-Member | $46 Member, $51 Non-Member by May 22
Supply fee of $15 payable to instructor at class

Medieval Merriment with a Paintbrush

Instructor: Anne Kaese
Art of the Lakes Gallery
June 5, 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM

Enjoy drawing, painting and decorating your own illuminated capital letters. Learn how to draw a capital letter based on historical examples and then decorate it using imitation metals and paint or pencil crayons. We will learn how the medievalists used traditional tools as well as the modern twists and shortcuts.

The workshop includes learning many techniques for shading paint, doing filigree and decorative elements and working with a wide variety of tools – all provided for you to use – you show up to enjoy the process. The designs are based on those produced by medieval scribes and make lovely cards and gifts. You will be taken through the processes step by step. At the end of the class, you should leave with two letters, matted and ready to gift and put in a frame and hang. Ideal for beginners as well as the more experienced artist.

Bundle FIVE and SAVE! ($25 off all 5 Anne Kaese classes)

FEE: $35 Member, $40 Non-Member | $30 Member, $35 Non-Member by May 22

How to Draw Celtic Knots

Instructor: Anne Kaese
Art of the Lakes Gallery
June 5, 2:30 - 5:00 PM

Those Celtic knots have long fascinated us and in this class you will learn how to draw, decorate and color knots with simple tools and no complicated setups. We will work out the knots on graph paper and then transfer them to good paper for painting or coloring in. Participants will learn to construct a simple Celtic knot, and play with double spirals.

This is a great class to supplement calligraphy, paintings, and scrapbook pages and are an ancient form of Zentangle. No drawing skills required – just a willingness to travel along ancient pathways of light and color!

Bundle FIVE and SAVE! ($25 off all 5 Anne Kaese classes)

FEE: $35 Member, $40 Non-Member | $30 Member, $35 Non-Member by May 22
Supply fee of $10 payable to instructor at class

Sip & Paint Glass Drinkware

Instructor: Anne Kaese
Art of the Lakes Gallery
June 5, 6:00 - 8:30 PM

Ever wanted your own personalized wine glass or a special glass gift item? Or a beer pilsner for a friend? This is the class for you. You will learn the tips, tricks and techniques of painting on glass. Some glasses and bottles and all the paints will be provided. Feel free to bring your own glasses or carafes or glass jugs that you want to decorate. You will have time to paint at least one or two glasses during this class. What you paint, you will take home to bake in your oven that evening to help make them top rack dishwasher safe. Instructions will be provided.

And for this evening event, bring your own adult beverage or sippable along with you – bring a friend too for a wonderful evening at free-format creating and creativity.

Bundle FIVE and SAVE! ($25 off all 5 Anne Kaese classes)

FEE: $47 Member, $52 Non-Member | $42 Member, $47 Non-Member by May 23
Supply fee of $15 payable to instructor at class

Calligraphy: Art Nouveau Letters and Designs

Instructor: Anne Kaese
Art of the Lakes Gallery
June 6, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Calligraphy is the age-old art of beautiful writing. This basic class will focus on the comprehensive study of the lettering style we most closely associate with the 1920’s, Frank Lloyd Wright and soft elegant curves and lines. Art Nouveau lettering is structured, easy to learn and elegant. It can be decorated and modernized very nicely too.

​Calligraphy classes offer you a chance to relax, have fun, and learn a time- honored skill; they also increase your hand-eye co-ordination, patience, and aesthetic awareness. This concentration will slow you down, and let creativity in. Lessons will comprise of a theory section, forms, practice, review, and a project The instructor will make up a bag with sheets of layout paper, good quality paper, a pen, and other supplies for each student.

Bundle FIVE and SAVE! ($25 off all 5 Anne Kaese classes)

FEE: $35 Member, $40 Non-Member | $30 Member, $35 Non-Member by May 23
Supply fee of $15 payable to instructor at class

Genteel Cursive Calligraphy

Instructor: Anne Kaese
Art of the Lakes Gallery
June 6, 2:00 - 4:30 PM

Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
Join calligrapher Anne Kaese to learn to write in an elegant cursive reminiscent of these times of elegance and beauty. Slowing down, using an analog tool and breathing with our letters is a most satisfying way of working. We will also learn about the Declaration of Independence and the writing of it -- a most fascinating history. Each student will get a fountain pen to take home, parchment paper, practice papers, and an exemplar.

Bundle FIVE and SAVE! ($25 off all 5 Anne Kaese classes)

FEE: $37 Member, $42 Non-Member | $32 Member, $37 Non-Member by June 2
Supply fee of $15 payable to instructor at class

Pencil Portraits

Instructor: Faythe Mills
Art of the Lakes Gallery
June 16, 1-4 PM

Join artist Faythe Mills as she teaches you how to draw a personalized pencil portrait. Students will submit a photo to Faythe prior to class for her to crop and save. Then using a small projector, you will sketch out your photograph onto 11"x14" Bristol paper. Faythe will show students how to use a blender & soft leaded pencils. 

FEE: $50 Member, $60 Non-Member
$45 Member, $55 Non-Member by June 6

Plein Air Oil Painting Workshop with Mary Boylan

Instructor: Mary Boylan
Glendalough State Park
June 20, 9:30am - 4:30pm

A MN State Park pass is required for park entry

Mary Boylan is based out of Fort Myers, Florida, but spends late spring through fall in Madison, Minnesota. Her studio is located in the Mercantile building where she holds occasional classes throughout the summer.

Her Plein Air work is mainly in oils, but occasionally will dabble with gouache and acrylic. Her commissioned work is usually large mixed media pieces.

Mary grew up in central Illinois, a horse loving farm girl, but has no favorite subject and her art reflects that. She attended Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida, which is how she ended up in the south. Her back ground is diverse from logo designs, architectural renderings, newspaper illustrations, car ads, murals… a bit of everything.

She started doing plein air painting in 2012 had numerous awards including best in shows, artist’s choices, people’s choice, best use of light.

Her goal is to just keep putting on miles because she is enjoying the trip and not worried about the destination.

At this workshop we will start with Mary's demo explaining scenes choices, composition values and working quickly. The afternoon will be students painting at their choice of scene and Mary will check on each individual at their chosen spot and observe and give tips/ advice.

FEE: $10 Member, $15 Non-Member | $5 Member, $10 Non-Member by June 10
Supply fee of $35 payable to instructor at class, with option to purchase a frame

Birch Trees on Tile Using Alcohol Ink

Instructor: Sue Kalseim
Art of the Lakes Gallery
June 25, 6-8 PM

Come join Sue Kalseim and make this beautiful birch tree tile - no prior skills with alcohol ink required. See how fun it is to work with alcohol ink!

FEE: $10 Member, $15 Non-Member
$5 Member, $10 Non-Member by June 25
$30 materials fee payable to instructor at class

Stained Glass Mosaics on Rocks

Instructor: Kathrine McDowell
Art of the Lakes Gallery
July 9, 5:30 - 8:00pm

Join Kathrine McDowell and learn the basics of stained glass mosaic art. Students will leave with a mosaic on a rock to add to the garden or to use inside.

FEE: $45 Member, $50 Non-Member| $40 Member, $45 Non-Member by July 1
$20 materials fee for landscape kits payable to instructor at class

Needle Felting Landscapes

Instructor: MaryJo Wentz
Art of the Lakes Gallery
July 15, 1-4 PM

This beginner-friendly class teaches you how to create simple wool landscapes step by step. Whether you’re new to needle felting art or looking for a relaxing craft, artist MaryJo Wentz will guide you through the entire process to produce two 5"x7" landscapes. 

FEE: $10 Member, $15 Non-Member | $5 Member, $10 Non-Member by July 6
Supply fee of $25 payable to instructor at class

Wire Jewelry

Instructor: Sue Kalseim
Art of the Lakes Gallery
July 20, 6-8 PM

Want to learn how to make your own jewelry? Come join Sue Kalseim and learn how to bend wire to make a beautiful pendant.

FEE: $55 Member, $60 Non-Member | $50 Member, $55 Non-Member by July 10
$20 materials fee payable to instructor at class
​MN State Park pass required for entry

Creative Eco-Printing

Instructor: Kristi Kuder
Glendalough State Park Dining Hall
July 24, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Join Kristi Kuder for a relaxed and inspiring day of eco-printing surrounded by the beauty of Glendalough State Park. Eco-printing is a magical process that uses the natural tannins and dyes held within plants to create some spectacular marks and prints on papers and fabric. This workshop is designed to develop all the skills and techniques you need to produce stunning and unique eco-prints. It's suitable for beginners, as well as those with some experience, who are interested in achieving pleasing organic prints that could be used in many varied projects.

Enough fabric and paper will be provided for each participant to print a silk scarf and create a gorgeous handmade book. Registrants will receive a list of supplies and materials to bring including suggested botanicals for sharing. As part of the workshop we will also consider what equipment you need to start eco-printing at home, simple mordanting techniques, where to source fabrics, supplies and equipment. Kristi will also give you a wealth of ideas to make with your beautiful unique prints. This class is an excellent complement to the Slow Stitching class led by Kim Graff.

Coffee, tea, and biscuits provided. Please bring a packed lunch.

FEE: $50 Member, $60 Non-Member
$45 Member, $55 Non-Member by July 11

Plein Air Casein Painting Workshop with Greg Preslicka

Instructor: Greg Preslicka
Henning Landmark Center
July 25, 9:30am - 4:30pm

Greg is a lifelong artist working both in the commercial and fine art fields. For over 30 years he designed packaging and retail signage for many local and national companies. In an effort to get out from behind a computer he brought his design and problem solving skills to mural painting. Greg has painted over 100 murals throughout the midwest. He is one of the founding members, and past president of OPM (Outdoor Painters of Minnesota). Over the years, Greg has painted with many different mediums including oil, gouache, acrylic and casein. When plein air painting he tries to find the unseen beauty in things.

Casein Painting Workshop
Learn about an opaque medium that allows you to quickly paint and adjust without your painting getting muddy. Painting with quick drying casein allows you to work faster and get more accurate color without getting muddy. In this workshop Greg will demonstrate his paint and adjust the way of painting. When painting from life it is hard to get accurate color and drawing with every stroke you put down. With this method you paint and then adjust and refine.

Greg painted for many years with oils and had a tough time keeping colors from getting too muddy because he adjusted them too much. He is not a slow methodical painter. He puts down big shapes and refines them as he goes. Casein is opaque and dries quickly allowing you to adjust without getting muddy. Casein is an old painting medium used to paint religious icons hundreds of years ago. It is similar to gouache but dries permanent. It can be painted on paper or gessoed board.

The workshop will start with inside demonstration and then move outside to paint, where Greg will give individual instruction as you paint. You will learn:

• How to Paint and Adjust to get more accurate color and drawing.

• What you can and can’t do with Casein.

• To paint from big shapes to small detail.
  ​

FEE: $30 Member, $35 Non-Member | $25 Member, $30 Non-Member by July 14
​MN State Park pass required for entry

Slow Stitch Fiber Journals

Instructor: Kim Graff
Glendalough State Park Dining Hall
July 28, 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Come play with me as we explore creating small hand stitched fiber books using simple meditative stitches. They can be filled with found treasures or mementos. The books can be used as stitch samplers or turned into a needle book.

Students should bring scissors, needle, pins, looser weave fabrics such as linen or used clothing, embroidery threads or perle cotton.
Pen and paper or journal for notes or ideas
Sticks, stones, feathers or anything they may want to attach
Kim will bring some stuff to share as well.

FEE: $30 Member, $35 Non-Member
$25 Member, $30 Non-Member by July 29
​MN State Park pass required for entry

Exploring Glendalough With a Camera

Instructors: Jackie Henning, Greg Gerhart
Glendalough State Park
August 12, 9:00am - 11:30am

Join Jackie Henning, Greg Gerhart, and other photographers from the Evansville Arts Coalition as they take you through Glendalough State Park to their favorite photo spots. Jackie will have "point & shoot" cameras for your use or bring your own camera, cell phone, and equipment. Learn techniques & tips for taking great photographs from the local experts. All skill levels are welcome! Meet at the old lodge dining hall. Students under 16 need to be accompanied by a parent.

FEE: $50 Member, $60 Non-Member
$45 Member, $55 Non-Member by July 26

Plein Air Soft Pastels Painting with Lisa Stauffer

Instructor: Lisa Stauffer
Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, Fergus Falls
August 13, 9:30am - 4:30pm

Lisa Stauffer received her Master’s in Design (University Of Minnesota, Minneapolis) and studied Illustration at Parson’s School of Design (NYC). She continues her education by taking workshops from nationally recognized painters whose work inspires her. She has worked and taught in a wide variety of media, now primarily painting in soft pastel with a special focus on painting en plein air to indulge her fascination with light and color in Minnesota’s beautiful north shore landscape.

​Lisa was just awarded Eminent Pastelist by the International Association Of Pastel Societies, she earned Master Circle status in 2009. She was awarded the H.K. Holbein Award at the Pastel Society Of America Show at the National Arts Club in New York City, September 2010 and the Pastel Painters Of Cape Cod Award in 2012. Each of these years her painting was one of those chosen by the Director of the Butler Institute Of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio, to travel to the exhibit American Pastels in the museum. Lisa was juried into the Pastel Society Of America and awarded Signature status in 2012, she was awarded Master status in 2025. Her work has been featured in articles in PleinAir Magazine, Pastel Journal, Stephen Doherty's book, The Art Of Plein Air Painting, and in two PBS specials on painting.

Artist’s Statement:
I am fascinated by the interplay of light and color that I see in the beauty surrounding me and I work to capture the mood of those special moments in my paintings. I choose to paint with soft pastel for the incredible richness and intensity of the color possibilities and textures I can create with them. I am primarily an outdoor painter and pastel’s direct application allows for the immediacy demanded in plein air work. I often use a watercolor underpainting as a setup for the pastel layers in my work, which adds the interplay of transparent and opaque mediums to the visual quality of the final piece. I can be found painting all around town and far beyond.

FEE: $50 Member, $55 Non-Member
$45 Member, $50 Non-Member by August 7
$5 for materials payable to instructor at class

Chip Wood Carving

Instructor: Joe Hauger
Art of the Lakes Gallery
August 21, 10:00am - 4:30pm

This will be an introductory class into the fun art of chip carving. Chip carving involves taking small chips out of a flat piece of wood to make a geometric design, and is one of the easiest forms of woodcarving for beginners to try. It can also be used to embellish things like wooden spoons.

In this class, students will learn basics such as laying out a design and keeping the knife sharp, then will work on a practice board to learn basic chip carving cuts. Students will have the opportunity to finish a small project such as a coaster or Christmas ornament to take home. No prior woodcarving experience needed, but as with other types of carving some degree of hand grip strength is necessary. Experienced carvers are welcome as well. Tools are available to use during this class.

FEE: $15 Member, $20 Non-Member |$10 Member, $15 Non-Member by August 13
Supply fee of $15 payable to instructor at class

3D Pumpkin Needle Felting

Instructor: Jill Beithon
Art of the Lakes Gallery
August 27, 1-4 PM

Join Jill as she takes you through the process of creating 3D pumpkins to use in your fall decor. Participants will create up to 3 small felted pumpkins. Beginners and participants of all skill levels are welcome!

FEE: $50 Member, $60 Non-Member
$45 Member, $55 Non-Member by August 29

Plein Air at Maplewood with Stephen Henning

Instructor: Stephen Henning
Maplewood State Park
September 12, 9:30am -4:30pm

"A connection to nature is essential for our well-being. My contemporary Impressionist landscape paintings are designed to evoke a sense of serenity and closeness to the natural world.

"Focused on the healing and spiritual power of Nature, these images transform interior spaces. Your environment becomes more inviting and calming, whether in a home or business setting. My artwork uplifts the mood and soothes the senses.

"Enhance your space with art that resonates with nature’s tranquility.”
--Stephen Henning

Join Stephen Henning at Maplewood State Park for a day of plein air painting. Students can use any media to explore the beauty of this state park while Stephen comes around to each artist offering tips & techniques. Bring all of the supplies that you will need and a lunch.

FEE: $10 Member, $15 Non-Member | $5 Member, $10 Non-Member by September 21
Supply fee of $35 payable to instructor at class

Winter Scene on Light-Up Ornament Using Alcohol Ink

Instructor: Sue Kalseim
Art of the Lakes Gallery
October 5, 6-8 PM

Impress your friends by making this light-up alcohol ink ornament. Join Sue Kalseim and make this beautiful ornament that you'll be proud to hang on your tree or give as a gift.

FEE: $50 Member, $55 Non-Member
$45 Member, $50 Non-Member by Oct. 24
$5 materials fee payable to instructor at class

Snowman Woodcarving and Paint

Instructor: Joe Hauger
Art of the Lakes Gallery
November 7, 9:30am - 4:00pm

It's that time of the year for winter fun! What better way to start the season than with a woodcarving lesson of a snowman. Joe Hauger will introduce the best and safest knife stroke techniques as well as give you a chance to try different carving knives. We'll briefly touch on topics including carving "with the grain", how to keep the knife sharp, and painting techniques. Knives & gloves provided by the instructor, but feel free to bring your own carving tools. ("Flat plane" style carving knives will work best.) Students will get to take home a completed snowman about the size of a pop can.

This class is open to all adults, and minors 12 & older if accompanied by an adult. (The adult wouldn't need to pay if he/she does not carve.)