FEE: Free | Registry Required

Quilted “JOY” Wall Hanging Workshop

Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Springboard for the Arts, Fergus Falls, MN

In this workshop, textile artist Melissa Wray will teach participants how to sew lettering and assemble a quilted wall hanging inspired by Mary Oliver’s words, “Joy is not made to be a crumb.” Participants will create a handmade textile piece to take home.

Some sewing experience is required. Participants are encouraged to bring a sewing machine if they have one. Anyone needing a sewing machine should contact Melissa Wray at melissa.ellen.wray@gmail.com in advance to arrange one. All other materials will be provided, though participants are welcome to bring fabric they would specifically like to use.

This class is free, but registration is required as space is limited. A freewill donation jar will be available on site for those who wish to contribute, though donations are not required.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

FEE: Free | Registration Required

Ask Me Anything: Art as a Tool for Community Change

Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM CT | Zoom Meeting

Artists everywhere are finding creative ways to respond to the needs, ideas, and opportunities within their communities—from zines and fashion shows to winter play and beyond.

Join Sarah Johnson (Winona) and Sophie Wang (Twin Cities) for a conversation about their community-based artistic practices. They’ll share how they balance their own creative vision with the needs and ideas of their neighbors, what they’ve learned through their projects, and how art can be a powerful tool for organizing, engagement, and addressing local challenges.

The discussion will be moderated by Michele Anderson, Rural Director of Springboard for the Arts.

Panelist Sarah Johnson (she/they) is a community-engaged multimedia artist and Licensed Professional Counselor whose work focuses on prevention, mental health, art, and community building. Sarah founded The Joy Labs, LLC in 2021 and works to build connected, healthy, and resilient communities.

Panelist Sophie Wang (she/her) is an artist, researcher, and educator based in the Twin Cities. She creates prints, zines, and comics exploring science, technology, labor history, queerness, immigration, and systems of power, encouraging audiences to question the structures and knowledge systems around them.

Moderator Michele Anderson (she/her), Rural Director of Springboard for the Arts, is a composer, creative writer, and pianist whose work centers multiracial and multigenerational rural futures rooted in repair, stewardship, and joy.