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Do you have an event or activity that you want Region 2 Arts to add to the arts events calendar? Let us know! Fill out this form provided with information about your event, and a member of staff will review and add it to the events calendar. Please include any relevant information regarding location, dates, fees, if the event is funded by a grant, etc.
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Calls for artists
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Calls for artists |
Bemidji Kiosk Art Project
Deadline: April 15th, 2026
Who?: Bemidji Downtown Alliance (BDA)
The Bemidji Downtown Alliance (BDA) received a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council for the Blue Kiosk Art Project. The project is designed to highlight the natural charm of Downtown Bemidji by highlighting original artwork on information kiosks located at key street corners. Each kiosk will display two unique art pieces, offering artists the chance to help shape the community’s visual landscape. The selected artworks will be professionally photographed, and these images will be reproduced on vinyl sheets for installation on the kiosks. (To view the first complete kiosk, visit the corner of 3rd Street and Beltrami Ave).
Please send any questions regarding this application to: kiosks@bemidjidowntown.org
Artist Submission Guidelines
Eligibility is limited to artists residing in R2Arts Council area: Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, or Mahnomen counties. The project welcomes applicants of all ages and is open to everyone, regardless of race, sex, religion, nationality, or disability.
Five artists will be selected for this project. Each artist will create two images per kiosk, with both designs reflecting their individual style and complementing each other. Artists will earn $350 for each image, amounting to $700 in total. After the project ends, a public artist reception will showcase completed artworks and allow artists to sell their designs.
Selected artists will get two pre-cut MDO sign boards (15″x34″) for their art, which will be enlarged to 30″x68″ vinyl images for kiosks. Artists must pick up boards in Bemidji and supply their own paint.
To Apply
Artists need to upload three work samples created in the past three years.
Artists may submit up to four sketches per proposal. Each sketch must be 7 1/2″x17″ to match final art specs.
The artwork should highlight the unique qualities, natural beauty, and cultural heritage of the Bemidji community. Only paintings made using traditional techniques are accepted; digital art is not permitted.
Designs must not contain offensive content or promote any business, product, or opinion. Political themes are not allowed in submissions.
Each image installed will list the name of the artist, the title of the work and grantor credits. Artists retain ownership of their artwork but grant BDA a license to use them on kiosks.
All submissions must follow the application guidelines and be received by April 17, 2026. Late or incomplete entries will not be accepted. Artists are responsible for ensuring their proposals are received.
Selection Process:
A committee from local arts organizations and community representatives including Bemidji Downtown Alliance, City of Bemidji’s Public Arts Commission, Bemidji Area Arts Endowment, Bemidji Sculpture Walk, Watermark Art Center will select artwork. Judges will assess entries on artistic quality, craftsmanship, originality, and their potential contribution to Bemidji’s culture and community.
Project Timeline:
Call for Art: February 16 – April 17, 2026, Deadline
Artist Notification by: May 15, 2026
Final Work Delivered by: August 7, 2026
Kiosk Installations: August 24, 2026
Artist Reception: Fall 2026 Date to be determined.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Community Arts Support Grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, funded by an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State’s general fund and from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
Art of Healing 4
Deadline: April 15th, 2026
Who?: R2Arts and Sanford Health
Before We Were Happy
R2Arts has been collaborating with Sanford Medical of Bemidji to bring a rotating pop-up gallery called The Art of Healing to the community of Bemidji. This collaboration between Sanford and R2Arts offers a space to display art from around our region to be viewed in a public space and to also expose the works of art to interested buyers. The Art of Healing consists of revolving three month long shows, we are now opening submissions for the third round of exhibition.
Deadline for these submissions will be April 15th, 2026. The revolving exhibits are set to follow the seasons. This session is all about Spring! The new season rolling in, gentle breezes, pastel colors, what does spring mean to you? Show us in this round of the Art of Healing.
These shows serve not only as revolving galleries but also a space for art to be sold, each artist may choose whether to list their piece(s) for sale and will be contacted directly for the purchase of the work.
Eligibility
Open to all artists, regardless of medium, experience level, or background.
Works must be original and created by the submitting artist.
Collaborative pieces are welcome but must credit all contributing artists.
Works must be presentation ready.
Presentation Requirements
Two-dimensional works must be framed or mounted and ready for hanging.
Small Three-dimensional works can be submitted as is, to be displayed in a locked case.
Labels must be securely attached with the artist's name, title, medium, dimensions, preferred form of contact and price (if applicable.)
Submission Process:
Application Form: Complete the official submission form, providing your name, contact information, and a brief artist statement.
Artwork Details: Include the title, medium, dimensions, price and preferred form of contact (if for sale), and a high-resolution image of each piece. The work must meet presentation requirements including framing or mounting for 2D works, as well as secure labeling.
Sales & Financial Terms: The artist retains full ownership of their work. All sales transactions will be conducted directly between the artist and the buyer. The Organizer will not facilitate payments or collect submission.
Delivery and Pickup: The artist is responsible for delivering and retrieving their artwork at agreed-upon dates. Failure to retrieve artwork upon completion of the exhibition may result in disposal at the discretion of the Organizer.
Promotion and Rights: The artist grants the Organizer permission to use images of their submitted works for promotional purposes. The Organizer will promote the exhibit through social media and press channels.
Submission Deadline: All entries must be submitted by April 15th, 2026.
Limit: Each artist may submit up to 3 works for consideration.
More Information
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please email ogimaa@r2arts.org.
Deadline: April 15th, 2026
Please send all submissions to ogimaa@r2arts.org
The Artist acknowledges that the organizer is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged artwork. The Artist participates at their own risk and understands that no insurance coverage is provided. By submitting their work, the Artist agrees to abide by all terms outlined in the Artist Agreement Gallery Application.
More information email: ogimaa@r2arts.org
Deadline: May 30th, 2026
Who?: New York Mills Regional Cultural Center
The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is pleased to announce its 2026 Annual Adult Regional Show Theme: “Before We Were Happy.”
As has become tradition in recent years, the Annual Regional Adult Show’s theme is inspired by the corresponding year’s Great American Think-Off question, encouraging artists to explore big ideas through creative expression. A special reception honoring both participating regional artists and the Think-Off finalists will be held on Friday, June 12, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. This free community event is open to all and offers an opportunity to celebrate art, ideas, and conversation in a welcoming setting.
Call for Artists!
All regional artists aged 18 and up are invited to submit up to two pieces of art. All mediums 2D and 3D will be accepted.
Exhibit Dates: May 26 – July 4, 2026
Reception: Friday, June 12, 2026, from 6-8 PM
Keep reading below for relevant dates, fees, and details.
Exhibition Theme
Before We Were Happy explores a persistent American idea: that happiness once came more easily, before modern ambition, speed, and pursuit culture. This exhibition interrogates nostalgia as both comfort and myth, asking whether the past truly held greater happiness—or whether that belief obscures exclusion, inequality, and selective memory.
This exhibition is a visual response to the 2026 Great American Think-Off question:Has the pursuit of happiness made Americans unhappy?
Artists are invited to respond to the tension between nostalgia and myth, examining how ideas of happiness are constructed, remembered, inherited, or resisted.
Conceptual Framework: This exhibition seeks work engaging with one or more of the following perspectives:
Affirmative Approaches (Questioning the Past):
Sepia-toned irony and aestheticized memory
Idealized histories revealed as incomplete, exclusionary, or false
Happiness portrayed as a privilege granted to some and denied to others
Domestic, cultural, or national myths unraveled
Counterpoint Approaches (Challenging Nostalgia):
Exposing nostalgia as emotional refuge or denial
Progress shown as expanding access to happiness and self-determination
Joy emerging through struggle, resistance, or social change
Reimagining happiness as dynamic rather than lost
Key Question for Artists: Was happiness something we lost—or something we were never all allowed to have?
All visual art forms are encouraged, including painting, drawing, photography, fiber art, sculpture, and mixed media.
Dates & Details
Exhibit Dates: May 26 – July 4, 2026
Location: New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, 24 N Main Ave, New York Mills, MN 56567
Opening Reception: Friday, June 12 | 6–8 p.m.
Celebrate with us! Enjoy refreshments, a cash bar, and a gathering of Think-Off finalists and participating regional artists.Gallery Hours:
Tue: 10 AM – 5 PM
Wed & Thurs: 10 AM – 7 PM
Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM
Sat: 10 AM – 3 PM
Or by appointment: contact megan@kulcher.org
Artist Submission Info
Who Can Submit: Open to all regional artists age 18+, all mediums
Submission Limit: Up to two pieces per artist
Eligibility: Work must be completed between 2016-2026
Entry Fees:
Members: $15 per entry
Non-members: $20 per entry
Sales: Artwork preferred to be for sale (30% commission to Cultural Center)
Delivery:
Drop-Off Dates: May 19–22 during regular open hours
Requirements:
Must be gallery-ready: framed, with hooks and wire (no sawtooth hangers)
Must label works on the back with name, title, and retail price
Optional but not required
Artist statement, up to 250 words
Artist bio, up to 100 words
Pick-Up: After July 4, 2026, during open hours or arrange with staff
Selection Criteria:
Conceptual engagement with the theme
Originality and clarity of vision
Emotional, historical, or critical depth
Craft and execution
This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Are you seeking artists? Would you like a call for artists put out for your event?
Tell us about it! If you are seeking to find artists in our area, please let us know by filling out the form to the right. Please include any information about your call, when is the deadline, what is the call for, who specifically are you seeking, or any additional information you would like staff to know. Please include a link to your website or wherever you would like the submissions to go, thank you!
Queering Indigeneity
Beginning in 2023, the M has been in partnership with Penny Kagigebi (White Earth Ojibwe/direct descendant) to develop "Queering Indigeneity," a multi-year, multi-generational project focusing on 2-Spirit, Native queer, gender expansive vision in great diversity and celebration.
In seeking out and amplifying voices of Indigenous artists and culture bearers, the M, guided by Kagigebi, hopes to influence both the types of artists who are supported, seen, and centered at the museum, and to show both Indigenous and non-Indigenous visitors a more comprehensive, complicated, and true story of Minnesotan art and artists.
"Queering Indigeneity" will open at the M in the Nancy and John Lindahl Gallery on September 18th, 2025 featuring 16 native artists from the Upper Midwest: Sharon Day, Ryan Young, Delia Touché, Awanigiizhik Bruce, Niibawi Ajijaak, Awanaabe Syverson, Zoe Allen, Naawakamigookwe Lera Hephner, Noah Polk, Madeline Treuer, Chewie Mason, Asin-Gwiiwizens, Sav Jonsa, Giiwedin, Nick Metcalf, and Penny Kagigebi.
Naytahwaush Stories
NAYTAHWAUSH STORIES - Watermark Art Center, Bemidji
January through March, 2026
What if we focused on the "good" in us all? What if our reservation communities had a place to tell the good stories, share our images, and display our artwork? This winter, The Watermark Art Center in Bemidji will provide space to do those things. During the months of January-March you'll see and hear the stories from a little village in the heart of the White Earth Reservation. My home, the place I love. You can read more about this exhibit at the website dedicated to this show at www.naytahwaush.com
Gallery Exhibit: Portrayals in Paper: Tales of Overcoming by Nikki Besser
Step into a realm where paper becomes legend, and stories of resilience rise in three dimensions. Portrayals in Paper: Tales of Overcoming unveils an exhibition of large-scale, intricate paper artworks, where meticulous craft intertwines with the fantastical. Each piece centers on a human figure, joined by birds and animals, conjuring narratives of challenge, triumph, and transformation in all their own unique and fascinating stories.
Explore the RiverPlace gallery Tuesday-Saturday, 10 AM-5 PM. As always, admission is free of charge.
Gallery Exhibit: Our What Ifs Became Real Life
Amber Buckanaga and James Harvin
On View February 6 - March 27, 2026
MacRostie Gallery
Sponsored by Frame Up
Through a collection of paintings, sketches, writings, textile works, musical pieces, and traditional beadwork, Amber Buckanaga (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) and James Harvin (Black/Nahua/Rappahannock Descendant) reflect on family histories and trauma, and their individual and shared journeys to healing and acceptance.
Talley Gallery presents Cyrus Swann: Artist
Cyrus Swann: Artist at Talley Gallery
From ceramics to wood, metal, and more, this exhibition showcases Cyrus Swann’s precision and passion. A bold mix of works from across his career is on view February 10–March 27. Don’t miss it!
Join us for a catered reception on March 27 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Talley Gallery is free and open to the public; we are in the Bridgeman Building on Bemidji State University’s campus.
Little Shop of Horrors
Music by Alan Menken. Music & Lyrics by Howard Ashman. Based on the motion picture, written by Roger Corman. Screenplay by Charles Griffith.
Live Orchestra Producing Sponsors: Mary Anne Ebert & Paul Stembler; Trillium Services; Hanft Fride Law
This deviously delicious sci-fi musical comedy has been devouring the hearts of theatre goers for over 40 years.
Little Shop of Horrors follows Seymour Krelborn, a meek flower shop assistant who discovers a strange and otherwordly plant he names “Audrey II,” after his longtime coworker crush. But Audrey II isn’t your average houseplant—it’s a bloodthirsty, R&B-singing carnivore with dreams of world domination. Throw in a sadistic dentist, a hard-to-please boss, and a chorus of all-knowing skid row onlookers and you’ll see why audiences across the globe can’t resist Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s campy, creepy, and outrageously fun show. This cult classic not to be missed!
Monthly Children's Art Series
EXPRESSING PERCEPTIONS THROUGH ART with Isabelle Harmon. LEARN ABOUT RECYCLABLES AND ART.
Date: March 21, 2026
Time: 10 am – noon
Location: Bagley Area Arts Collaborative Space
9 Central Street West – Downtown Bagley
Ages: Grades 5 and Up
Class Size Limit: 10
Cost: $15
Includes a complete starting kit (for first time students) & research documents
Supported by the Bagley Rotary
Stitch and Swap
Saturday, March 21, 2026
11:00 AM 4:00 PM
Join us for a relaxed, creative gathering where makers of all kinds come together to stitch, mend, and create. Crochet, knit, quilt, embroider, felt, sew—all fiber arts are welcome. Bring your current project and the tools you love, whether that’s a sewing machine, needles and thread, yarn, hoops, or something in between.
This isn’t a class, but a shared studio experience—the hum of machines, the rhythm of needles, and conversations unfolding between stitches. Work at your own pace, swap ideas, or simply pop in to connect with a friendly, supportive community.
Printmaking Sampler Series: Relief Woodblock
Two Sessions are available: March 21 12-3pm & March 23 6-9pm
Cost: $60 ($48 for members) Ages 18+
Carve bold designs on a woodblock and print with classic woodcut techniques.
Felted Flatwork
Mar 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Studios at the Armory, 203 Park Ave, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
Felted textiles have long been made for daily use—protecting surfaces, warming homes, and carrying simple folk patterns tied to place and tradition.
Mae Simpson Band
Mar 21, 2026, 7:00 PM – 7:05 PM
Armory Arts & Events Center , 203 Park Ave S, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
"Mae’s powerful voice has remnants of Janis Joplin and Ella Fitzgerald, tied together with a rasp of Joan Jett. Brought together by an extremely talented and passionate band, Mae Simpson Music is a ticking time bomb for breaking into the national array of local artists to make it “big.” – Richard Do
Wire Jewelry
Mar 21, 2026, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Studios at the Armory, 203 Park Ave S, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
Learn the basics of wire jewelry while creating a copper pin and a necklace or bracelet. This beginner-friendly workshop covers tools, wire types, and simple wire-wrapping techniques. All materials provided.
Headwaters Music and Arts Gala- Play it Forward
Play It Forward: An enchanting evening of music and art to benefit the Headwaters Music & Art scholarship fund
Saturday, March 21
Loft Event Center (116 4th St. NW)
Cocktail attire encouraged.
Play It Forward at the Headwaters Music & Art gala — featuring an incredible mix of rock, blues, jazz, and classic tunes, alongside stunning artwork from our teaching artists. All in the name of raising money for Headwaters’ scholarships — ensuring all aspiring musicians and artists have the funding they need to thrive.
Your evening awaits …
5 p.m. | Social Hour
Sip, mingle, and indulge in decadent charcuterie offerings. Bid on exciting auction prizes and explore stunning artwork by Headwaters’ art instructors.
6 p.m. | Musical Performances
Enjoy incredible performances by the region’s most-talented musicians: Headwaters’ instructors. Plus: Play a rousing game of Heads & Tails for your chance at taking home the big prize.
Click here for more information.
Open Chess Club
Led by volunteer Dan Baston, Open Chess Club will take place from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm in the Headwaters Performance Hall. This weekly club is a welcome place for all skill levels, ages, and play styles. All equipment is provided and skilled players are often on hand to give helpful tips! We hope to see you there!
First City Singers
First City Singers meet weekly to rehearse and perform at area nursing homes.
Click here for more information.
Intercultural Creative Circle
Learn how to start a project or bring a project you’ve already started. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Drop in only, no fee or registration required. Participants should provide their own supplies or get started with limited materials.
Kristin Majkzak, Textile Artist and Weaver, is the guest host for Circles held on March 4, 18, 25 from 11am to 3pm.
(No circle on March 11)
R2 traveling office hours Park Rapids
Don't forget, we'll be traveling again this month! Staff will be available throughout the month at different locations:
-Bagley on the 4th & 11th at the BAAC Art Space.
-Mahnomen on the 18th at Gizhiigin Arts Incubator.
-Park Rapids on the 18th & 25th at the Armory Arts & Events Center.
Traveling office hours are part of the R2 initiative to get out into the community and meet creative individuals or organizations who may be interested in receiving money through grants, want assistance building a portfolio, or need help promoting their events. Traveling office hours allow us to be closer to those who may not get the chance to visit with us!
Want to schedule a visit from R2? Email us at Staff@r2arts.org
Visit any spot to talk about our current grant programs, ask about any of our services, or even just to stop in and chat! We can’t wait to see you
Hope and Healing Talking Circle
Hope & Healing Talking Circle – Every Wednesday
Join us from 12:15–12:45 PM in Room 215 (Red Lake Campus Reflections Room). Snacks provided.
This is a safe and supportive space to connect, reflect, and take small steps toward healing.
If you need support, reach out to Sherri Sherman, Life Vision Coach
Stop in anytime and take some time for yourself. You don’t have to carry things alone.
Poetry SLAM
With few noted exceptions, SLAMs are held at Fozzie’s BBQ in Bemidji at 114 3rd St NW, Bemidji, MN.
Music begins at 6:00; performances at 7pm. Call Watermark 218-444-7570 if you’d like to pre-register to guarantee a performance spot. Register on site as space allows. Please limit your performance to 3 minutes or less so there is time for all who want to perform.
No fee to perform. No fee to watch.
Rogaland Style Rosemaling
Class fee: $100 | Ages: 18+ | Feb. 19th & 26th, March 5th, 19th & 26th, April 9th & 16th
Join us for a 7-week long journey into the beautiful traditional folk art of Norway! In this class, you’ll explore oil-based painting on a prepared background while learning essential brush strokes, color mixing, and charming floral designs. By the end, you’ll complete a project on a wooden plate to take home.
Please come prepared with the following supplies on the first day of class:'
Brushes-
1 Chisel Blender #6
1 Liner Brush #1
1 Teardrop Brush #3
Oil Paints-
Prussian Blue
Alizarin Crimson
Thalo Green
Cadmium Red Light
Titanium White
Naples Yellow
Yellow Ocher
Raw Umber
Burnt Umber
Burnt Sienna
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Tools Needed-
Palette (I recommend a waxed disposable tablet)
Palette Knife
Tracing Paper
One Piece of Transfer Paper (White)
Linseed Oil
Turpentine or any paint thinner
Lard oil (for cleaning the brushes)
Kleenex of Puffs (no Lotion
1 Jar for brushes (2 full with rice)
Additional Items-
Wear old clothes as oil paint is very hard to get out but easy to get into.
You will also need an item to paint on and background paint. ( We will discuss this in the first class.)
If you have any question or need further information before the class begins, please feel free to reach out.
Talley Gallery presents Cyrus Swann: Artist Reception
Cyrus Swann: Artist at Talley Gallery
From ceramics to wood, metal, and more, this exhibition showcases Cyrus Swann’s precision and passion. A bold mix of works from across his career is on view February 10–March 27. Don’t miss it!
Join us for a catered reception on March 27 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Talley Gallery is free and open to the public; we are in the Bridgeman Building on Bemidji State University’s campus.
Beginning Jewelry Making
Mar 28, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Studios at the Armory, 203 Park Ave S, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
Learn the basics of jewelry making while creating a custom bracelet of your own. This hands-on class covers essential tools and techniques using wire, head pins, eye pins, jump rings, clasps, and chain.
Cabaret Auditions
"In here, life is beautiful. Out there......you'll have to decide."
Join us for Auditions for this summer's production of Cabaret! https://www.northernlightopera.org/
Saturday, March 28 dance call at 2:30, Auditions 4:30-8:30, Sunday, March 29, invited call backs 1-4pm at the Armory Arts and Events Center.
Oil Painting with Impressionism
Oil Painting with Impressionism Workshop with Darcy Brambrink
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 1 – 3:30pm
Cost: $95.00
Adults 16 and up
Discover the expressive freedom of oil impressionism in an immersive workshop led by Minnesota artist Darcy Brambrink. Designed for beginning painters who wish to deepen their color, light, and brushwork, this workshop focuses on capturing atmospheric landscapes and evocative moments with confident, economical strokes. Prepare to paint boldly, see with simplicity, and leave with renewed confidence in handling oil and impressionist expression.
Participants will receive all artist quality supplies to complete a 9 x 12 painting.
Additional Info to Participants:
Participants should bring or wear an old shirt or paint smock, their imagination, and a flat box to transport their painting.
Contact Jill Neumann at jneumann@watermarkartcenter.org for more information or, if class is sold out, to be put on a waiting list.
"Beltrami: A Pilgrim's Providence"
Norwood Hall, Director
Dr. Janet Rith-Najarian, Producer
Date: Saturday, March 28 , 2026
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Bagley Public Library Community Room
Free Will Donations Accepted
"Beltrami: A Pilgrim's Providence" is an hour-long documentary about the adventurous journey of Italian explorer Giacomo Beltrami during the summer of 1823. Join us as we follow his footsteps (and paddle strokes!) through the wilderness of northern
Minnesota on his search for the headwaters of the Mississippi River. This film was made after careful research through primary materials, including his journals and articles, along with sketchbooks and artifacts from his expedition at the museum of his hometown of Bergamo, Italy. Using Minnesota actors on location, the film project
reenacts Beltrami's expedition along the route of his "pilgrimage", and examines why he thought the source was at Lake Julia near the continental divide of Buena Vista Hill
north of Bemidji. This is the first episode from the locally produced documentary series
called "True Source: The Politics and Science of the Search for the Headwaters of the
Mississippi River", which is bringing to life the geography and historic journeys of 19th
century explorers to the headwaters region.
This is a part of a series in production for the Minnesota Alliance for Geographic
Education, and has been created by director Norwood Hall (Moonwood Artisans), and
producer Dr. Janet Rith-Najarian (Rivers Edge Geographics). Along with screening of the film, participants can explore a giant floor map of Minnesota, and take part in a question-and-answer session with the filmmakers about Giacomo Beltrami, his travels, and the making of the film.
Artist Reception: Cindy Hamilton
Meet Cindy Hamilton, multimedia artist of the exhibit “Biida’adoo – Walking Her Path“.
Known as “The Moccasin Lady,” Hamilton is recognized for her beautiful craftsmanship of traditional leatherwork—like moccasins, mukluks, and mitts—incorporating Metis embroidery and Ojibwe florals into many of her designs in honor of her heritage and to preserve these Indigenous cultural practices.
Open Art Studio
Studio 3 opens its doors to artists looking for a place to find community and a great space to create.
Open Chess Club
Led by volunteer Dan Baston, Open Chess Club will take place from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm in the Headwaters Performance Hall. This weekly club is a welcome place for all skill levels, ages, and play styles. All equipment is provided and skilled players are often on hand to give helpful tips! We hope to see you there!
First City Singers
First City Singers meet weekly to rehearse and perform at area nursing homes.
Click here for more information.
Sharing Laporte Stories
Sharing Our LAPORTE Area Stories
You are invited to come share your story of living in this unique part of Northern Minnesota. The Northwoods Writers Group of Laporte has committed to helping our friends and neighbors record personal stories of themselves and their families to be collected in print form. A KICKOFF MEETING for the project will be held at the Lakeport Township Hall at the top of the hill in Laporte on Tuesday, March 31 at 7 PM.
Representatives of the Writers Group will be at the Lakeport Township Hall each Tuesday of April and May from 3-5 pm to help you get your story recorded. We will have available recording equipment (as well as a scanner and color copier for those who prefer to bring in hard copies of their writings and photos) to collect your memories of the Laporte area. For those of you who can’t make it to an afternoon time, volunteers will also be available the evenings of April 21 and 28, and May 19 at a time convenient for you.
While we are asking for individual anecdotes of living in and near Laporte, contributors are not limited to just one story.
When the project concludes, you will have the capability to get a copy of your story–and many others–on a flash drive or in print. Each contributor will be listed in the credits, along with an accompanying photo. We can take pictures or you can contribute a photo.
For the purposes of this project, the Laporte area is defined as SOUTH of Highway 2, WEST of Highway 371, NORTH of Highway 34, and EAST of Highway 71, as well as adjoining areas (especially if you and/or your family have close ties to the Laporte area).
Come to the KICKOFF MEETING to have a cookie and coffee while you hear more details about this community project. Call Winnie Dau Schmidt (218) 224-2516 if you are unable to get to this meeting or if you have questions.
Northwest Minnesota Annual Art Exhibit
Thu, Apr 2, 202610:00 AM Sat, Apr 25, 20265:00 PM
Explore the creativity of our region at the Northwest Minnesota Annual Art Exhibit! Featuring over 100 vibrant works from artists of all ages across the seven-county region, the exhibit showcases painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and more. Celebrate local talent and discover art that inspires.
Free Crafts for Kids: Spring Chicks and Bunny Hop Races
Hippity hoppity! Spring fun is on the way at RiverPlace—craft a chick, then hop like a bunny!
Kids will decorate their own popsicle stick chicks as part of this colorful spring Easter craft and take their finished creations home, perfect for spring displays or fridge magnets. After crafting, we’ll head outside through the classroom patio doors (weather permitting) for bunny hop potato sack races. Ready, set, hop!
Wine, Paint, Canvas!
Join experienced art educator, Victoria Kragthorpe, as she guides you from start to finish through the creation of a new painting. Two free beverages and appetizers are included, and there will be plenty of breaks to socialize! Absolutely no art experience is required, and all materials are provided. Come learn in a fun and supportive environment surrounded by your friends. Ages 21+
Instructor: Victoria Kragthorpe
Date: Friday, April 3, 6:00-9:00pm
Fee: $45
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
Gouache Painting 1
Learn to paint with gouache. Start the new year off with a day of creativity, exploration and connection. Pronounced ‘gwash’, this versatile medium is similar to watercolor but is more opaque. This medium is great for travel, plein air painting, color studies, nature journaling, and a wide variety of artistic styles. We will practice color mixing and a variety of painting techniques on watercolor paper and illustration board. Includes a short break for lunch. Materials are included.
Instructor: Nelia Harper French
Date: Saturday, April 4, 10:00am-3:00pm
Member Fee: $75 Non-member Fee: $85
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
Berry Picking Workshop
Join master Basket Maker Shannon Lucas Westrum for a hands-on basket weaving workshop! This workshop includes weaving a round base, adding upright accent spokes, lashing with cord, cutting and riveting your own leather handle. Great for collecting berries and mushrooms, this piece has a lot of versatility. The finished basket will measure 7" across the base, 6 1/4” across the top, and 5” high (not including leather handle).
Instructor will provide all necessary tools (shears, weights, towels, wash tubs, etc). Hand dexterity required. Ages 14+. There will be a 1/2hr lunch break. Lunch will not be not provided.
Thanks to an Arts Education Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, participant cost for this workshop has been reduced by more than 60% and all materials are included free of cost.
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 and cultural heritage fund.
Instructor: Shannon Lucas-Westrum and Jesse Westrum
Date: Saturday, April 4, 10:00am-4:00pm
SOLD OUT
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
Honoring our animal guides: Writing and Collage Workshop
Here in the north country, we are fortunate to live with wolves, deer, bear, beaver, and countless other animals. We know how wise they are and how they guide us. We all have stories about magical encounters and will work to capture these stories through writing and collage. Join this fun class to create a beautiful collage to honor our wild ones and your special guide(s). A detailed materials list, mostly made of found items, pictures, markers, poster board, and a reference list of books will be sent prior to the first class. No negative feedback and beginners welcome!
Instructor: Judy Nelson
Date: Wednesdays, April 8 & 15, 10:00am-12:00pm
Member Fee: $55 Non-member Fee: $65
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
Rogaland Style Rosemaling
Class fee: $100 | Ages: 18+ | Feb. 19th & 26th, March 5th, 19th & 26th, April 9th & 16th
Join us for a 7-week long journey into the beautiful traditional folk art of Norway! In this class, you’ll explore oil-based painting on a prepared background while learning essential brush strokes, color mixing, and charming floral designs. By the end, you’ll complete a project on a wooden plate to take home.
Please come prepared with the following supplies on the first day of class:'
Brushes-
1 Chisel Blender #6
1 Liner Brush #1
1 Teardrop Brush #3
Oil Paints-
Prussian Blue
Alizarin Crimson
Thalo Green
Cadmium Red Light
Titanium White
Naples Yellow
Yellow Ocher
Raw Umber
Burnt Umber
Burnt Sienna
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Tools Needed-
Palette (I recommend a waxed disposable tablet)
Palette Knife
Tracing Paper
One Piece of Transfer Paper (White)
Linseed Oil
Turpentine or any paint thinner
Lard oil (for cleaning the brushes)
Kleenex of Puffs (no Lotion
1 Jar for brushes (2 full with rice)
Additional Items-
Wear old clothes as oil paint is very hard to get out but easy to get into.
You will also need an item to paint on and background paint. ( We will discuss this in the first class.)
If you have any question or need further information before the class begins, please feel free to reach out.
Stackable Garden Art: Handbuilt Pottery
Build your own garden art piece and have it ready for the spring bloom. Using handbuilding techniques with clay, master potter Mike Jasper will help you make some amazing sculptural garden art. Price includes instruction, clay, glazes, firing and humor.
Instructor: Mike Jasper
Date: Thursdays, April 9-May 21, 6:30-8:30pm
Member Fee: $170 Non-member Fee: $180
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
BCT: Sword and the Stone
The Sword in the Stone is a magical tale of young Arthur, an unlikely hero who embarks on a journey of discovery under the guidance of the wise wizard Merlin. Through challenges, adventures, and lessons in courage and character, Arthur grows into his destiny, ultimately pulling the legendary sword from the stone and beginning his path toward becoming king.
Wired Jewelry
Wire Jewelry Workshop with Cheryl Bannes | Cost: $25 register today, Only 10 spots
Wire jewelry grows out of ancient traditions of personal adornment, trade, and craft. Across cultures, copper and other soft metals were shaped by hand into functional and symbolic objects- pins, fasteners, talisman, and decorative forms meant to be worn daily. Simple loops, twists, and wraps became visual language, carrying meaning through repetition and form. This workshop draws from that lineage, using accessible materials and traditional techniques to create wearable pieces in both beauty and purpose.
Create simple, handcrafted jewelry using copper wire and beads. In this hands-on beginner-friendly workshop, participants will make a pin and either a necklace or bracelet while learning basic wire-wrapping techniques, tools, and wire types.
All materials and tools are provided.
Pete the Cat Presented by TheaterWorksUSA
Everyone's favorite literary cat is going to be on stage at RiverPlace in this must-see musical!
For Pete the Cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth.
But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a musical mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. Join Jimmy and Pete on an adventure of friendship, all the way to Paris and back in a VW Bus!
Amazing You: Heart-Centered Spring Renewal
As spring energy rises, this heart-centered renewal session focuses on opening, growth, and new possibilities. Participants explore gentle movement, the Red Thread connection, intuitive creativity, and guided meditation to support clarity and blossoming from within.
Session Overview
Red Thread Opening Circle- Setting a heart-focused intention for personal renewal and new beginnings.
Heart-Opening Stretching, Breathwork & Tapping- Movement practices to refresh energy, release stagnation, and expand emotional spaciousness.
Intentional Creativity: “What Is Ready to Bloom in My Heart?”- A guided creative process exploring symbols of growth, emergence, and spring energy through intuitive painting or drawing.
Spring Affirmation & Journaling Practice- Participants write a “Blooming Affirmation” and reflect on what their heart is ready to invite forward.
Yoga Nidra: Seeds of Possibility (Possible Sound Bath)- Restorative guided relaxation planting inner seeds for the season ahead.
Closing Circle & Blessing- Reflection, gratitude, and connection.
Instructor: Stella Alpina Leone
Date: Saturday, April 11, 12:00-4:00pm
Member Fee: $55 Non-member Fee: $65
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
Open Art Studio
Studio 3 opens its doors to artists looking for a place to find community and a great space to create.
Drawing Right to Artist Success
This lowkey 5-week drawing class will help you to start at square one toward a successful project and is perfect for beginners. Drawing is the foundation for many artistic projects and helps you to have a “road-map” to where you are going. This class will focus on designing your idea into a cohesive direction, and making use of space, values, texture, lines, mark making and more. If you can draw it, you can paint it or sculpt it. The focus will be on drawing what you see rather than what you think you see. We will use a variety of media such as pencils, charcoal, conte crayons, and colored pencils. You will learn to set up a blank sheet of paper into spaces for your concept and add large shapes first and then small, arranging darks and lights into a pleasing finished project. We will start with simple shapes and work toward more diverse shapes.
Instructor: Jan Stenson
Date: Tuesdays, April 14 - May 12, 1:00-3:30pm
Member Fee: $145 Non-member Fee: $155
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
Honoring our animal guides: Writing and Collage Workshop 2
Here in the north country, we are fortunate to live with wolves, deer, bear, beaver, and countless other animals. We know how wise they are and how they guide us. We all have stories about magical encounters and will work to capture these stories through writing and collage. Join this fun class to create a beautiful collage to honor our wild ones and your special guide(s). A detailed materials list, mostly made of found items, pictures, markers, poster board, and a reference list of books will be sent prior to the first class. No negative feedback and beginners welcome!
Instructor: Judy Nelson
Date: Wednesdays, April 8 & 15, 10:00am-12:00pm
Member Fee: $55 Non-member Fee: $65
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
TAD Film Festival
Calling all creatives! We’re excited to announce the 2026 TAD Film Festival!
Any college, university, and 7th-12th grade students are welcome to submit as long as at least one member of your team is a current student in school.
Visit the link here to read all of the rules and regulations, and to submit by March 25th. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to email us for help at tadmarketing@bemidjistate.edu
Rogaland Style Rosemaling
Class fee: $100 | Ages: 18+ | Feb. 19th & 26th, March 5th, 19th & 26th, April 9th & 16th
Join us for a 7-week long journey into the beautiful traditional folk art of Norway! In this class, you’ll explore oil-based painting on a prepared background while learning essential brush strokes, color mixing, and charming floral designs. By the end, you’ll complete a project on a wooden plate to take home.
Please come prepared with the following supplies on the first day of class:'
Brushes-
1 Chisel Blender #6
1 Liner Brush #1
1 Teardrop Brush #3
Oil Paints-
Prussian Blue
Alizarin Crimson
Thalo Green
Cadmium Red Light
Titanium White
Naples Yellow
Yellow Ocher
Raw Umber
Burnt Umber
Burnt Sienna
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Tools Needed-
Palette (I recommend a waxed disposable tablet)
Palette Knife
Tracing Paper
One Piece of Transfer Paper (White)
Linseed Oil
Turpentine or any paint thinner
Lard oil (for cleaning the brushes)
Kleenex of Puffs (no Lotion
1 Jar for brushes (2 full with rice)
Additional Items-
Wear old clothes as oil paint is very hard to get out but easy to get into.
You will also need an item to paint on and background paint. ( We will discuss this in the first class.)
If you have any question or need further information before the class begins, please feel free to reach out.
Weaving Birch Bark Stars
Birch bark stars are a perfect decoration for a Christmas tree or for use throughout the year. In this class students will learn how to weave a birch bark star using a folding method from instructor Pam Burns. The materials used are all harvested from forests around Grand Rapids. All materials provided. Ages 16+
Instructor: Pam Burns
Date: Friday, April 17, 10:30am-2:30pm
Member Fee: $40 Non-member Fee: $50
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
BCT: Sword and the Stone
The Sword in the Stone is a magical tale of young Arthur, an unlikely hero who embarks on a journey of discovery under the guidance of the wise wizard Merlin. Through challenges, adventures, and lessons in courage and character, Arthur grows into his destiny, ultimately pulling the legendary sword from the stone and beginning his path toward becoming king.
Gouache Painting 2
For students who have taken Gouache Painting 1 or have experience with gouache painting. Expand upon what you learned from Gouache Painting 1 using gouache paints and techniques learned in the first class. We will work from your images/photographs/ideas to develop your painting. A materials list will be sent out prior to the class.
Instructor: Nelia Harper French
Date: Saturday, April 18, 10:00am-1:00pm
Member Fee: $65 Non-member Fee: $75
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
Advanced Rosemaling: Bring your own Project
Advanced Rosemaling is for those that have had rosemaling classes with Michelle Carlson before and are ready to step beyond the beginning classes. Participants will bring their own woodenware project, oil paints, and brushes for their individual project. Michelle will then help prepare their project, assist with patterns and color design ideas.
Instructor: Michelle Carlson
Date: Saturday, April 18, 10:30am-3:30pm
Member Fee: $85 Non-member Fee: $95
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
Celebrating 250 Years: Songs of America's Hometowns with Charlie Maguire
A FREE concert hosted by the Warroad Heritage Center, the Roseau County Museum, and Lake of the Woods County Historical Society
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial) as a nation in 2026, a new program by Charlie Maguire is here! The first Singing Ranger in the National Park Service and Outreach Artist for the Smithsonian’s Traveling Exhibition Service, Charlie brings a collection of his songs with emphasis on the lives of everyday people in the rural United States: farmers, wilderness preservers, small business owners — those who put down deep roots in an Americana then grew and prospered.
Woods and Water: Small Felt Tapestries inspired by Seasonal Ponds
Join MacRostie exhibiting artist, Kristen Anderson, in creating a wet-felted, flat, image on wool felt. Students will be encouraged to depict a simple image of a seasonal pond in the forest where water meets the woods. Adults 16 and up. Additional info: Students will need to bring a pair of sharp, fabric scissors.
The instructor will provide wool roving in various colors, wool prefelt, soap, felting silks, individual work pans, plastic sheeting, felting soap, towels, water pitcher and a 5-gallon bucket.
Instructor: Kristen Anderson
Date: Saturday, April 25, 1:00-3:30pm
Member Fee: $40 Non-member Fee: $45
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
Little Tin Big Mosaic
Join us for a creative mosaic class where you'll learn to craft a small spring mosaic design in a little tin box. These can be propped up on a table or used as a magnet. This class will guide you through the process of creating a beautiful mosaic piece that you can take home with you that day. All supplies provided. Class will meet at Balsam Creek Mosaic Studio in Central Square Mall.
Instructor: Deb Buxengard
Session 1: Wednesday, April 29, 10:00am-12:00pm
Session 2: Saturday,May 2, 10:00am-12:00pm
Member Fee: $45 Non-member Fee: $55
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
Copper Enameling workshop with Cheryl Bannes
Discover the art of copper enameling- an ancient technique where powdered glass is fused to metal using high heat to create luminous, durable color.
In this hands-on workshop, participants will create their own enamel jewelry or small art pieces using copper as a base. Learn how layers of enamel, line work, and texture come together through firing to produce bold, modern designs with roots in centuries old tradition.
Little Tin Big Mosaic 2
Join us for a creative mosaic class where you'll learn to craft a small spring mosaic design in a little tin box. These can be propped up on a table or used as a magnet. This class will guide you through the process of creating a beautiful mosaic piece that you can take home with you that day. All supplies provided. Class will meet at Balsam Creek Mosaic Studio in Central Square Mall.
Instructor: Deb Buxengard
Session 1: Wednesday, April 29, 10:00am-12:00pm
Session 2: Saturday,May 2, 10:00am-12:00pm
Member Fee: $45 Non-member Fee: $55
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
Mandala Dot Painting with Diana Magner
Mandala painting is the art of creating beautiful, harmonious designs with symmetrical patterns and dots that radiate from a central point. In this class, you’ll learn to paint a unique mandala design on a 4-inch stone using dotting tools, guided by artist and educator Diana Magner. The goal is to get you comfortable with the technique, so you can go home and continue painting on your own.
Keep it in Perspective Drawing Class
If you’ve ever wondered why a painting or drawing didn’t look right, it may have had to do with its perspective. In this class, you will learn how to create accurate 1pt, 2pt and 3pt perspectives. You will also learn the different measuring tools used to enlarge, reduce or maintain the size of your reference image. Supply list will be emailed prior to class.
Instructor: Julie Erickson
Date: Saturday, May 16, 11:00am-1:30pm
Member Fee: $75 Non-member Fee: $85
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
Contour Drawing to Wire Sculpture
May 09, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Studios at the Armory, 203 Park Ave S, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
This is an introduction to the power of line through both drawing and sculpture
Color, Composition, and Fearless Abstraction
Connect, collaborate, create – creating art together. This will be a workshop for artists of all levels to work together. The workshop will include information and shared discussion on the elements of painting, exercises, and hands-on painting. Class participants of all levels will exchange information, share how they begin a painting, how they work, and what artistry they want to acquire or refine. Each can bring a work they want to discuss. The event is for artists to create together learning, doing and sharing art and inspiring each other.
Instructor: Karlyn Berg
Date: Saturday, May 9, 10:30am-3:30pm (please note new date!)
Member Fee: $55 Non-member Fee: $65
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
The Painterly Plate: patterns & Mark-Making
Treat clay like a canvas in this two-part workshop that merges the joy of surface design with the utility of handmade ceramics. Moving beyond basic pottery, this class focuses on intentional mark-making and repeating pattern design. Students will create a coordinating pair of functional serving pieces (snack plates, small charcuterie boards, or trinket trays) using professional slab-building techniques. We will begin by rolling and compressing our slabs, then dive into a guided design session. Using curated underglaze palettes, students will learn to build "all-over" designs through rhythmic mark-making and layered patterns. No drawing experience is required—the focus is on texture, movement, and color. After a slow-dry and bisque fire, students return for a second session to refine their work and apply a professional clear glaze, ensuring a food-safe, gallery-quality finish. Ages 14 and up welcome.
Instructor: Jennifer Gorman
Date: Wednesdays, May 13 & 27, 6:00-8:30pm
Member Fee: $125 Non-member Fee: $135
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
Word Dances: Poetry in Motion
May 16, 2026, 4:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Main Event Floor, 203 Park Ave S, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
An impactful performance that blends poetry, dance, and music to promote healing, hope, and joy. Viewers have called it "Brilliant" and "Life altering"!
Restorative Sound Bath with Cass Maxwell
Experience deep relaxation at this Reiki-infused sound bath led by Cass of The Laughter Patch Integrative Health & Energetic Healing. The one-hour session begins with gentle guided meditation and grounding breathwork, followed by a soothing sound journey using singing bowls, chimes, bells, drums, rattles, and harmonica. These healing vibrations help calm the nervous system, support emotional balance, and promote a sense of peace and renewal.
Playing with Paper: A Beginner’s Introduction to Paper Quilling with Nikki Besser
Taught by featured RiverPlace gallery artist Nikki Besser, this class is a beginner’s introduction to paper quilling—the art of manipulating and arranging strips of paper into dimensionally detailed and decorative designs and images. Participants in this class will learn how to create the basic shapes, textures, and techniques necessary to create the featured image. The skills learned in this project are versatile and common techniques in the understanding of this craft, establishing a good foundation of information in moving forward with future crafts that may inspire.
Discover the Joy of Watercolor
In this 5-week watercolor class, you will learn many ways to make use of watercolor using composition, color properties, and about the unique transparent effects of this media. Watercolor is easy to transport and is useful in capturing quick color sketches, but also adapts to larger paintings well. Watercolor’s impact can be soft or rugged depending on your color choices and subjects. How to gauge the quantity of water to use, designing the layout, mixing colors and drawing will be the primary focus for each session. Watercolor painting is a lifelong skill to enjoy from making cards to larger paintings and more. The class has a relaxed approach with time for all questions. Come for fun and a great learning experience. A supply list will be sent upon registration.
Instructor: Jan Stenson
Date: Tuesdays, May 19-June 16, 1:00-3:30pm
Member Fee: $145 Non-member Fee: $155
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
Purse Bingo
May 28, 2026, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Armory Arts & Events Center, 203 Park Ave S, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
3rd annual purse bingo!!
Intro to Plein Air Painting
Learn the ins and outs of plein air painting with your chosen medium (acrylic, watercolor, pastel, oil, gouache, and drawing mediums). In this interactive, hands-on class, Nelia Harper French will share useful tools for working quickly outdoors. She will demonstrate how to simplify the landscape, and share her approach to plein air painting that works for all mediums. You are welcome to watch, ask questions, and bring your materials with to work outside with instructor guidance. Additional materials will also be available on-site. Age limits: 16+
Location: Blandin Beach, in case of rain meet at MacRostie Art Center
Instructor: Nelia Harper
Date: Saturday, May 30, 9:00am-12:00pm
Member Fee: $45 Non-member Fee: $55
For more information about classes offered at the MacRostie, click here.
BCT: The Sunshine Boys
The Sunshine Boys is a heartwarming comedy about two aging vaudeville partners who reunite after years of estrangement. As they bicker, reminisce, and attempt one last performance, the play explores friendship, grudges, and the humor of growing older.
BCT: The Sunshine Boys
The Sunshine Boys is a heartwarming comedy about two aging vaudeville partners who reunite after years of estrangement. As they bicker, reminisce, and attempt one last performance, the play explores friendship, grudges, and the humor of growing older.
Mixed Media Portrait with Golden Open Acrylics and Prismacolor Pencils on Black Watercolor Paper with Pamela Edevold
Date: June 19-21, 2026
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Location: 9 Central Street W
Class Limit: 10
Cost: $150 (Member)
$175 (Non Member)
Bring your own lunch
Students will work along with Pamela Edevold while she demonstrates how to use Golden Open Acrylics and Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils together to create a colorful but natural looking portrait of a subject in highly detailed regalia. Several layers will be laid down over a tracing of the image, going back and forth with the two mediums until the desired look is achieved.
The class may also work from their own images when finished with each step of the workshop portrait. They may work from a photo, a good photocopy, or from a phone or ipad, but it must be of a person and in color.
Black watercolor paper and Golden Open Acrylics will be supplied by the instructor, but if the student already owns the paint they are asked to bring it. The class will be required to supply their own Prismacolor Premier colored pencils.
This activity is made possible by grants through the Region 2 Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
Clay Fish Wall Hanging with Betsy Saurdiff {Rescheduled}
Create a one-of-a-kind clay fish wall hanging in this workshop led by Betsy Saurdiff, a recognized potter whose work has been featured in the RiverPlace gallery. In this hands-on session, you’ll design and shape your own fish from a clay slab, explore texture and pattern, and apply vibrant underglazes to bring your piece to life. You’ll also learn the art of sgraffito—carving through layers of color to reveal striking designs beneath the surface.
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Watercolor Batik with Diane
Date: July 14 – 16, 2026
Location: Faith Lutheran Church, Bagley
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Class Size: 15
Cost: $150 (Member)
$175 (Non Member)
Bring your own lunch
Batik is a traditional Indonesian cloth that originated from the island of Java in the late 1800's and is still used today throughout Indonesia. It is said the word batik comes from the words Banyak Titik - meaning many dots.
Watercolor batik is done on rice paper. We will use regular paraffin wax melted in a very small crock pot. There is an inking of the drawing that is done with a black permanent marker. Regular watercolors are used and each step of the way waxed. Starting with whites. Then yellows etc. working from light to dark, It's a fun process. When finished with the waxing process, we iron out the wax using an iron and ironing board. The finished product is almost like stained glass when held up t o a light.
What to bring:
Watercolor paints
Watercolor brushes
Two sharpie pens, one extra fine and one fine.
Two foam core boards measuring 14 1/2“ x 20“ (simply buy the large board and cut it in half so that you have two boards that measure 14 1/2“ x 20“) You can use the thinner foam core boards or a bit thicker ones that are around a half inch thick… Simply your choice!
Container for water
One roll of paper towels.
Instructor will bring:
The special Rice paper, hairdryers, pots of hot wax, irons and ironing boards, Patterns
Expressive Watercolor Portrait workshop with Michael Holter
Dates: July 28 – 30, 2026
Location: Faith Lutheran Church – Bagley
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Cost: $150 (Member)
$175 (Non-Member)
Class Limit: 18 - 20
Bring your own lunch
Join artist Michael Holter for this fun and fast-paced exploration of people and the way we interact with them. You will work on faces and figures to develop expressive watercolor paintings. Michael will lay the foundation with layers of instruction and assist you to put the pieces together into solid work. You will paint from photographs and explore the use of light and shadow to create interesting compositions and achieve dynamic results.
We will examine the fundamentals of watercolor painting to assure that all students are familiar with the techniques. Daily discussions and application of the principles and elements of design will be woven into your painting experience.
Each day you will engage in exercises that will solidify the content that you are working on and spend time viewing other artists’ work. We will discuss the methods and the impact that these artists achieve using their techniques.
Michael will demonstrate his approach to creating paintings of people and show you several high-speed video demonstrations.
The Cover of Life
The Cover of Life is a touching drama about three young war brides who move in together while their husbands are away in World War II. As they navigate daily struggles, small-town scrutiny, and questions of identity, they form unexpected bonds and discover their own strength and independence.
Crashing Waves an Oils made easy class with Isabelle Harmon
Date: August 12 – 14, 2026
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Location: 9 Central Street W – Downtown Bagley
Cost: $150 (Member)
$175 (Non- Member)
Class Size: 10
All supplies will be provided
Bring your own lunch
Learn how to master an ocean scene by applying acrylic paint first to “block in” the basic shapes and colors. You will then use oil paint to make your own vibrant masterpiece.
I will provide an image to work from and guide you step by step into the process. A fun class open to all levels.
The Cover of Life
The Cover of Life is a touching drama about three young war brides who move in together while their husbands are away in World War II. As they navigate daily struggles, small-town scrutiny, and questions of identity, they form unexpected bonds and discover their own strength and independence.
The Casual Society of Literary Women
Mark Your Calendar!
The Casual Society of Literary Women is thrilled to announce our inaugural Women’s Reading Retreat, happening August 16–22, 2025!
We are The Casual Society of Literary Women—a community built for women who love books, connection, and celebrating their own stories. Whether you're an avid reader, a book club regular, or just someone who enjoys a cozy chat over coffee, we’re here to create a positive, uplifting space where women can support women!
We host events that inspire relaxation, creativity, and community—like our upcoming Lakeside Literature: A Women’s Reading Retreat! It’s all about taking time for yourself, connecting with fellow book lovers, and enjoying the beauty of the Northwoods. Come join us—this is your story, and we’re here to celebrate it with you!
Set in the heart of Minnesota’s Northwoods at the breathtaking Kohl’s Resort (@kohlsresort) on Big Turtle Lake, this retreat offers the perfect blend of inspiration and relaxation. Think mornings by the lake, afternoons filled with thought-provoking book discussions, and cozy evenings by the fire with a community of literary women.
Registration opens soon—don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable experience!
Turn the page to a new chapter and celebrate your story with us.
Indigenous Art of Moccasin making with Cindy Hamilton and Teresa McDowell
Location: 9 Central Street W, Bagley
Day/Time: Saturday - Sunday, September 19 - 20, 2026
Time: 9 am - 4 pm
Total Class Fee: $125 (Member) $145 (Non-member)
Class Size: 6 - 8
All materials are provided
Students will learn the traditional Indigenous art of moccasin making from Treaty 3 Ojibwe artists Cindy Hamilton and Teresa McDowell. Each student will complete a pair of elk suede moccasins with rabbit fur trim.
Garth LIVE! Legendary Tribute to Garth Brooks Hosted by the Northern Lights Concert Association
Having played to sold-out crowds across the U.S., GARTH LIVE! is a stunning tribute to the music of Garth Brooks featuring Drew Baloh, who has an uncanny resemblance to legendary country music icon Garth Brooks.
This production is a tribute to some of the greatest music produced in the 90's country era including monster hits such as Friends in Low Places, The Thunder Rolls, The Dance, Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old), Ain't Goin' Down (til the Sun Comes Up) and countless others. From Garth's earliest hits to Live in Central Park, GARTH LIVE! will take you on a country music journey that is unmatched.
Todd Oliver’s Funniest Night in Town Hosted by the Northern Lights Concert Association
As seen on The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show, America’s Got Talent (Top 4 Finalist), and more!
A nationally-recognized ventriloquist and comedian, Todd Oliver puts on a family-friendly show full of laughter, magic, and music, featuring his talking dog Irving and a rotating cast of characters. As Irving the Talking Dog says, “You’ll be howling for more!”
Arcostrum Hosted by the Northern Lights Concert Association
ArcoStrum’s innovative program offers an immersive, movie-like experience that promises a transformative musical journey that transcends boundaries, celebrating the evolution of music across cultures and generations.
Merging Eastern and Western cultures, ArcoStrum seamlessly combines the evocative sounds of traditional Chinese instruments like the erhu and dizi with the virtuosity of classical violin, guitar, and electric guitar.
Rogaland Style Rosemaling
Class fee: $100 | Ages: 18+ | Feb. 19th & 26th, March 5th, 19th & 26th, April 9th & 16th
Join us for a 7-week long journey into the beautiful traditional folk art of Norway! In this class, you’ll explore oil-based painting on a prepared background while learning essential brush strokes, color mixing, and charming floral designs. By the end, you’ll complete a project on a wooden plate to take home.
Please come prepared with the following supplies on the first day of class:'
Brushes-
1 Chisel Blender #6
1 Liner Brush #1
1 Teardrop Brush #3
Oil Paints-
Prussian Blue
Alizarin Crimson
Thalo Green
Cadmium Red Light
Titanium White
Naples Yellow
Yellow Ocher
Raw Umber
Burnt Umber
Burnt Sienna
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Tools Needed-
Palette (I recommend a waxed disposable tablet)
Palette Knife
Tracing Paper
One Piece of Transfer Paper (White)
Linseed Oil
Turpentine or any paint thinner
Lard oil (for cleaning the brushes)
Kleenex of Puffs (no Lotion
1 Jar for brushes (2 full with rice)
Additional Items-
Wear old clothes as oil paint is very hard to get out but easy to get into.
You will also need an item to paint on and background paint. ( We will discuss this in the first class.)
If you have any question or need further information before the class begins, please feel free to reach out.
Hope and Healing Talking Circle
Hope & Healing Talking Circle – Every Wednesday
Join us from 12:15–12:45 PM in Room 215 (Red Lake Campus Reflections Room). Snacks provided.
This is a safe and supportive space to connect, reflect, and take small steps toward healing.
If you need support, reach out to Sherri Sherman, Life Vision Coach
Stop in anytime and take some time for yourself. You don’t have to carry things alone.
R2 traveling office hours Mahnomen
Don't forget, we'll be traveling again this month! Staff will be available throughout the month at different locations:
-Bagley on the 4th & 11th at the BAAC Art Space.
-Mahnomen on the 18th at Gizhiigin Arts Incubator.
-Park Rapids on the 18th & 25th at the Armory Arts & Events Center.
Traveling office hours are part of the R2 initiative to get out into the community and meet creative individuals or organizations who may be interested in receiving money through grants, want assistance building a portfolio, or need help promoting their events. Traveling office hours allow us to be closer to those who may not get the chance to visit with us!
Want to schedule a visit from R2? Email us at Staff@r2arts.org
Visit any spot to talk about our current grant programs, ask about any of our services, or even just to stop in and chat! We can’t wait to see you
R2 traveling office hours Park Rapids
Don't forget, we'll be traveling again this month! Staff will be available throughout the month at different locations:
-Bagley on the 4th & 11th at the BAAC Art Space.
-Mahnomen on the 18th at Gizhiigin Arts Incubator.
-Park Rapids on the 18th & 25th at the Armory Arts & Events Center.
Traveling office hours are part of the R2 initiative to get out into the community and meet creative individuals or organizations who may be interested in receiving money through grants, want assistance building a portfolio, or need help promoting their events. Traveling office hours allow us to be closer to those who may not get the chance to visit with us!
Want to schedule a visit from R2? Email us at Staff@r2arts.org
Visit any spot to talk about our current grant programs, ask about any of our services, or even just to stop in and chat! We can’t wait to see you
Art Bites Luncheon
Mar 18, 2026, 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Gallery/Office at the Armory, 203 Park Ave S, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
Winter seed sowing
Intercultural Creative Circle
Learn how to start a project or bring a project you’ve already started. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Drop in only, no fee or registration required. Participants should provide their own supplies or get started with limited materials.
Kristin Majkzak, Textile Artist and Weaver, is the guest host for Circles held on March 4, 18, 25 from 11am to 3pm.
(No circle on March 11)
Queer Family Ties
Join us for food, fun, and conversation.
Crafting with Heidi
All are welcome!
Sewing for Beginners: Pillowcase project
Cost: $50 | Ages: 18+
Learn the basics of using a sewing machine in this beginner-friendly course! Students will gain essential skills, including: how to thread the needle, how to change a broken needle, how to fill the bobbin, how to start and stop sewing; and many other foundational techniques.
With your new skills, you’ll complete a simple and fun project: making your very own pillowcase! This hands-on project will teach you how to sew using straight lines and apply your basic sewing knowledge. Perfect for those new to sewing or looking to build confidence with their new machine.
First City Singers
First City Singers meet weekly to rehearse and perform at area nursing homes.
Click here for more information.
Clay Slabs & Textures Art Demonstration
Art Demonstration MONDAYS - Clay slabs & texture! Join our art team for a fun demonstration with clay slabs and texture. Demonstrations are FREE to watch and learn!
Open Chess Club
Led by volunteer Dan Baston, Open Chess Club will take place from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm in the Headwaters Performance Hall. This weekly club is a welcome place for all skill levels, ages, and play styles. All equipment is provided and skilled players are often on hand to give helpful tips! We hope to see you there!
Open Art Studio
Studio 3 opens its doors to artists looking for a place to find community and a great space to create.
Berry Picking Basket Workshop
Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Location: 9 Central Street W Downtown Bagley
Cost: $30
Class Size: 10
*Bring your own lunch
Join master Basket Maker Shannon Lucas Westrum for a hands-on basket
weaving workshop! This workshop includes weaving a round base, adding upright accent spokes, lashing with cord, cutting and riveting your own leather handle. Great for collecting berries and mushrooms, this piece has a lot of versatility. The finished basket will measure 7" across the base, 6 1/4” across the top, and 5” high (not including leather handle).
Thanks to an Arts Education Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, participant cost for this workshop has been reduced by more than 60% and all materials are included free of cost.
Instructor will provide all necessary tools (shears, weights, towels, wash tubs, etc). Hand dexterity required. Ages 14+.
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.
Black Ash Pack Basket workshop with Nate Johnson
Register at Eventbrite.
Learn how to make black ash pack baskets from harvest to finish with local artist, Nate Johnson. This four-day workshop for adults will begin on Thursday, March 12th, continue on Friday, March 13th, and Saturday, March 14th, and end on Sunday, March 15th. The class will take place from 10 am to 5 pm each day at the Turtle River Township Community Center. Please only register if you can attend all four days. There is no fee to attend, but we suggest bringing tobacco, a gift, or a donation for Nate since he's generously sharing with us. All are welcome! There are a limited number of spots for this workshop. Lunch and light refreshments will be served each day. Each person will be able to go home with their own black ash pack basket! We are looking forward to it!
Nate Johnson lives outside of Bemidji, Minnesota, where he teaches a range of traditional crafts, including basketry, canoe building, hide tanning, and other seasonal crafts related to food and land based living. He also makes and sells custom knives and tools.
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 and cultural heritage fund.
Mandala Painting. Warm your heart with a little art
Pre-registration is required for all classes. Ages 16 and up. Limit to 12 students.
Everyone will be learning different techniques and we will be painting on a magnetic canvas.
To register, call: 218-444-9813
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
Gel Plate Printmaking
Mar 14, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Studios at the Armory, 203 Park Ave S, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
Gelli Printing: Play, Layer, Print Discover the magic of gel plate printing as you experiment with color, texture, and unexpected effects. Every print is a surprise and no two are alike. Perfect for beginners and curious creatives. All supplies included.
Pi Day with BAAC
Come celebrate and support the Bagley Area Arts Collaborate by attending this fun event!
Cost: $8 for pie and a beverage.
Black Ash Pack Basket workshop with Nate Johnson
Register at Eventbrite.
Learn how to make black ash pack baskets from harvest to finish with local artist, Nate Johnson. This four-day workshop for adults will begin on Thursday, March 12th, continue on Friday, March 13th, and Saturday, March 14th, and end on Sunday, March 15th. The class will take place from 10 am to 5 pm each day at the Turtle River Township Community Center. Please only register if you can attend all four days. There is no fee to attend, but we suggest bringing tobacco, a gift, or a donation for Nate since he's generously sharing with us. All are welcome! There are a limited number of spots for this workshop. Lunch and light refreshments will be served each day. Each person will be able to go home with their own black ash pack basket! We are looking forward to it!
Nate Johnson lives outside of Bemidji, Minnesota, where he teaches a range of traditional crafts, including basketry, canoe building, hide tanning, and other seasonal crafts related to food and land based living. He also makes and sells custom knives and tools.
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 and cultural heritage fund.
Keith Secola & Gary Farmer in Concert
Keith Secola (Anishinaabe) and Gary Farmer (Cayuga Nation) are renowned Indigenous artists, musicians, and long-time collaborators. Known for their work in music and activism, they often perform together, such as at the Water Is Life Festival and the Ancestral Fire Tour. Secola is a celebrated singer-songwriter famous for "NDN Cars," while Farmer is a noted actor (e.g., Reservation Dogs) and musician.
Black Ash Pack Basket workshop with Nate Johnson
Register at Eventbrite.
Learn how to make black ash pack baskets from harvest to finish with local artist, Nate Johnson. This four-day workshop for adults will begin on Thursday, March 12th, continue on Friday, March 13th, and Saturday, March 14th, and end on Sunday, March 15th. The class will take place from 10 am to 5 pm each day at the Turtle River Township Community Center. Please only register if you can attend all four days. There is no fee to attend, but we suggest bringing tobacco, a gift, or a donation for Nate since he's generously sharing with us. All are welcome! There are a limited number of spots for this workshop. Lunch and light refreshments will be served each day. Each person will be able to go home with their own black ash pack basket! We are looking forward to it!
Nate Johnson lives outside of Bemidji, Minnesota, where he teaches a range of traditional crafts, including basketry, canoe building, hide tanning, and other seasonal crafts related to food and land based living. He also makes and sells custom knives and tools.
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 and cultural heritage fund.
Black Ash Pack Basket workshop with Nate Johnson
Register at Eventbrite.
Learn how to make black ash pack baskets from harvest to finish with local artist, Nate Johnson. This four-day workshop for adults will begin on Thursday, March 12th, continue on Friday, March 13th, and Saturday, March 14th, and end on Sunday, March 15th. The class will take place from 10 am to 5 pm each day at the Turtle River Township Community Center. Please only register if you can attend all four days. There is no fee to attend, but we suggest bringing tobacco, a gift, or a donation for Nate since he's generously sharing with us. All are welcome! There are a limited number of spots for this workshop. Lunch and light refreshments will be served each day. Each person will be able to go home with their own black ash pack basket! We are looking forward to it!
Nate Johnson lives outside of Bemidji, Minnesota, where he teaches a range of traditional crafts, including basketry, canoe building, hide tanning, and other seasonal crafts related to food and land based living. He also makes and sells custom knives and tools.
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 and cultural heritage fund.
Hope and Healing Talking Circle
Hope & Healing Talking Circle – Every Wednesday
Join us from 12:15–12:45 PM in Room 215 (Red Lake Campus Reflections Room). Snacks provided.
This is a safe and supportive space to connect, reflect, and take small steps toward healing.
If you need support, reach out to Sherri Sherman, Life Vision Coach
Stop in anytime and take some time for yourself. You don’t have to carry things alone.
R2 traveling office hours Bagley
Don't forget, we'll be traveling again this month! Staff will be available throughout the month at different locations:
-Bagley on the 4th & 11th at the BAAC Art Space.
-Mahnomen on the 18th at Gizhiigin Arts Incubator.
-Park Rapids on the 18th & 25th at the Armory Arts & Events Center.
Traveling office hours are part of the R2 initiative to get out into the community and meet creative individuals or organizations who may be interested in receiving money through grants, want assistance building a portfolio, or need help promoting their events. Traveling office hours allow us to be closer to those who may not get the chance to visit with us!
Want to schedule a visit from R2? Email us at Staff@r2arts.org
Visit any spot to talk about our current grant programs, ask about any of our services, or even just to stop in and chat! We can’t wait to see you
Revelations in Rep Weave Workshop with Master Weaver and Teacher, Kelly Marshall
Dates: March 10 – 12, 2026
10am to 5pm each day
Intermediate to advanced skill level
Workshop Fee $250
Two-$200 scholarships are available. Please use coupon code SCHOLAR in your checkout cart.
The workshop will provide instruction on completion of a rep weave project. Teaching methods will include demonstration, development/practice of fundamental techniques, problem solving, class instruction, and one on one assistance.
Connect2Arts
Connect with your community!
March 9th is Connect2Arts. Every second Monday of the month, R2 will host a virtual meeting where any and everyone is welcomed to join. These meetings are meant to allow the public to talk with staff after work hours, allowing for conversation about events in our region, current available grants through R2Arts, events that are upcoming in our region, etc.
These meetings are also for YOU! Is there an idea you want to bring up to our organization? Do you have input on where you would like our staff to visit, connect with, or possibly host events at? Let us know! We are here to help you, and Connect2Arts is a place where we want to hear from you all.
If you are interested in stopping in to chat, please email us at patrick@r2arts.org to receive the zoom link.
Feel free to stop in for as little (or as long) as you like!
Rep Weave Community Lecture
Community Lecture
Join us on Monday March 9th from 4pm to 5:30 for an artist talk and Q&A with Master Weaver and Teacher, Kelly Marshall. The presentation is a broad-spectrum lecture on design and specific rep weave (Swedish Ripsmatta) technique. It is free and open to the public, but space is limited.
The lecture is presented in conjunction with the exhibit “Connecting Threads” by the Bemidji Area Weavers Guild. More here →
This activity, led by grant recipient and weaver Annette Theroux, is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through an Artist’s Engage Community grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
First City Singers
First City Singers meet weekly to rehearse and perform at area nursing homes.
Click here for more information.
Open Chess Club
Led by volunteer Dan Baston, Open Chess Club will take place from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm in the Headwaters Performance Hall. This weekly club is a welcome place for all skill levels, ages, and play styles. All equipment is provided and skilled players are often on hand to give helpful tips! We hope to see you there!