FEE: 4-Use CAC Studio Rental Punch Card: $36.00 / $28.00 - Member price
12-Use CAC Studio Rental Punch Card: $84.00 / $60.00 - Member price

Open Ceramic Studio*

Every Wednesday, 5-8 pm

*PENDING NEW LOCATION

Open Ceramic Studio is a series of dedicated sessions for the community and AOTL Members to use the ceramic studio in the Creative Arts Center. Open Ceramic Studio is for artists to work individually on personal ceramic projects. Participants will need prior ceramics background, as no formal instruction will be given. Kristi Everts and other ceramic artists will be available during the Open Ceramic Studio hours, for questions and assistance if needed.​

Equipment: Pottery wheels, bats, project boards are available. Tools are available for purchase or artists may bring their own tools. Limited tools are also available for use.
  
Supplies: 25# of clay are available for purchase for $35 which includes the cost of clay, firing and glaze.  No outside clay can be used unless approved prior to use with documentation of type and cone. We bisque at cone 06 and glaze at cone 6.  

• Commercial glazes are available for use. No outside glazes can be used without approval prior to use with documentation of cone from original container.

Purchase a Punch Card for studio access
Choose the CAC Maker Studio Punch Card that best fits your needs and your schedule. 

• Only in the area for a short while? Just need a few days of work to finish a project? Choose the 4-Use option.

• Here for the season or year-round? Have a bigger project in mind? Choose the 12-Use option.

Each Punch Card gives you access to any of the Maker Studios at the CAC during hours of operation, subject to availability.

FEE: Free

Fergus Falls Writers Group

2nd & 4th Thursdays of each month @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

This group shares and critiques their writing. Meets the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. This is a community-member-led group.

FEE: Free

Sew Unique

3rd Thursdays @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

All types of sewing projects are welcome. Bring your projects, cutting tools and sewing machine. Several irons and boards will be provided. Meets the third Thursday of each month. This is a community-member-led group.

FEE: Free

Sunday Socials @ AOTL Gallery

Starting January 4 — Sundays — 2-4pm

Sunday Socials are your chance to get out of the house, beat the winter blahs, and connect with others who love the arts. They're a casual drop-in time for anyone and everyone - members and non-members alike. Bring a project, or just join in the conversation. Sundays, 2-4pm in the Gallery.

Fee: $350 per student ($35 per session)

Youth Summer Clay Course (10-Week Program)

Dates: June 4 – August 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Creation Shop

A small-group pottery experience where youth learn wheel throwing, sculpting, carving, and finishing techniques while creating their own artwork in a supportive environment.

Two session options:
• Ages 12–16: Thursdays, June 4 – August 20
• Ages 6–11: Tuesdays, June 9 – August 18

Participants will explore clay techniques and Minnesota-inspired projects with local artist Blayze Buseth. Classes are limited to 8 students to allow for personalized instruction and creative exploration.

10 workshop sessions. All materials included. Snacks are welcome.

FEE: $50 per child | $100 family maximum | Teens and adults participate free

Scholarships available

2026 Kalevala Puppet Pageant Community Workshops

Dates: August 10–20, 2026
Location: The Barn, New York Mills Sculpture Park (with select rehearsals and performances at other locations)

Youth, teens, adults, and families are invited to participate in the 17th Annual Kalevala Puppet Pageant, an annual community theater experience based on stories from the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala.

Led by Creative Director Anne Sawyer, this immersive program gives participants the opportunity to explore acting, puppet and prop building, costume design, storytelling, and optional stilt walking while preparing for two public performances later in August.

Participants will take part in a series of workshops beginning Monday, August 10, 2026, with daily sessions, optional evening workshops, rehearsals, and performance preparation.

Who Can Participate

• Ages 5 and up

• Children under age 7 must be accompanied by an adult or older sibling

• Teens and adults are welcome

Cost

• $50 per child

• $100 family maximum

• Teens and adults participate free

• Scholarships available

Volunteers and community helpers are also welcome.

To register or learn more, contact info@kulcher.org or call 218-385-3339.

FEE: Friday- Free will donation | Saturday- $5 adult gate donation; children under 16 free

2026 Kalevala Puppet Pageant Performances

Dates: Friday, August 21 & Saturday, August 22, 2026
Location: New York Mills VFW / Finn Creek Open Air Museum

The 17th Annual Kalevala Puppet Pageant returns this August with two public performances celebrating community theater, Finnish heritage, and large-scale puppet performance.

Created and narrated by Anne Sawyer and performed by youth and community members from the New York Mills region, this original street theater production is inspired by stories from the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala.

Performance Schedule

• Friday, August 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  New York Mills VFW Post 3289
  Presented during the NYM Corn Feed
  Free to attend

• Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM
  Finn Creek Open Air Museum
  Presented during Finn Creek Festival
  $5 adult gate donation; children under 16 free

Free will donations will be accepted at both performances to help support this community arts experience.

For more information, contact info@kulcher.org or call 218-385-3339.

FEE:$40 Member, $45 Non-Member
$35 Member, $40 Non-Member by Sept 1
$50 materials fee payable to instructor at class

Finger-Knitting a Throw Blanket

Instructor: Heidi Hull
Art of the Lakes Gallery
September 15 & 29, 5:30-7:00 pm

September is that time of the year for cozy things! Come and join Heidi Hull as she teaches you how to "finger" knit a beautiful throw blanket to cuddle during the cool autumn evenings. This is a 2-part class. We will spend the first part of the class learning how to start the first row and continue to knit the following rows. You will take home your materials and continue to knit the blanket to size, then during the second part of the class 2 weeks later, Heidi will show you how to finish the throw.

FEE: $45 Member, $50 Non-Member | $40 Member, $45 Non-Member by Nov. 2
$10 materials fee payable to instructor at class

Easy Clay Christmas Ornaments

with Terry Shaw
November 16 & 23, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
First Lutheran Church (gym), Battle Lake

Join Terry Shaw as she teaches you to make & personalize clay Christmas ornaments. This 2-part class is for all skill levels, beginner to advanced. On November 16, the first part, we will begin with the basics of rolling out the clay, then use cookie cutters and tools to create one-of-a-kind ornaments which Terry will fire in her kiln. In part 2 on November 23, Terry will provide a variety of glazes to finish our projects and do another firing. Items can be picked up November 30 or after. Art of the Lakes will provide tools and materials. Terry will have a few cookie cutters, but feel free to gather a few of your own!

Participants should bring an old cookie sheet, old apron, towel, and any cookie cutters that you may want to use. Please wear clothing that can get messy.