Events

This class is a beginner's introduction to basic woodworking skills using power tools found in a standard workshop. The day will culminate in a completed charcuterie board that each participant can take home and enjoy for years to come. Everyone will be required to bring their own safety glasses and hearing protection. We’ll start the […]

Learn the magic of radio! Students will experience what it takes to tell stories in an audio-only format. Broadcast journalists from Interlochen Public Radio will reveal the secrets of radio from how they catch the stories in their microphones, to editing and mixing for the airwaves. Your stories might even end up on the radio! […]

Learn the basics of oil painting “en plein aire” with artist, Erin Wakeland. Erin will begin by introducing the basics of oil painting: how to mix paints, thin paints, and familiarize students to the basic tools and guiding principles of oil painting. Erin will teach her go-to observational techniques and processes of starting paintings while […]

Tree bark is a powerful material in basketry, and can be harvested from a wide range of trees in the world around us. In this workshop, we will learn to harvest and work with tree bark from different invasive/displaced plant species in a way that promotes the health and resiliency of our local ecosystem. We’ll […]

In this workshop will approach landscapes with a playful eye. Using traditional watercolor techniques as well as mark making, we will create beautiful, colorful landscapes. Be prepared to see the watercolor and the landscape around you in a new way. We will start the day with a hike around Green Door Folk School and Cedar […]

Using local materials, students will learn the basics of mixing and applying earthen basecoat plaster. We will discuss the history of using these materials, but focus on modern applications and how these materials can be applied to homes in our region. Primarily, this will be a physical, hands-on practical application of earthen plaster on the […]

Weaving through all things is a vast energetic field of wisdom and support called the Akashic Records. These Records are analogous to an infinite filing system in the Universe, an energetic library, of every life your soul has lived - past, present, and future. The Records are an incredibly grounded, practical, and transformational tool that […]

This immersive, seasonally guided foraging course invites students to develop a deeper relationship with the landscapes of Northern Michigan. Moving beyond basic plant identification, this class explores wild foods as an entry point into ecological literacy, cultural awareness, and personal connection with place. Not only foraging for food, but for medicine and art as well. […]

Barn Quilts have been adorning family farms for centuries. European immigrants have continued this tradition, creating the Americana Folk Art we see on barns throughout America today. Create your own 2′ x 2′ outdoor suitable Barn Quilt in this guided, start‑to‑finish workshop. Each student will receive a primed MDO board with two designs lightly pre‑drawn—one […]

Learn to create your own paper from items you might normally recycle like paper bags, magazines, newspaper, and egg cartons. In this workshop, you will also learn other additional items and techniques to add to your paper to give it a unique and natural flair. The instructor will share various different applications or uses for […]

Explore the magic of herbal medicine by learning how to turn plants into practical, skin-loving remedies. In this hands-on class, we’ll explore the art and science of crafting herbal salves and balms for everyday support—things you can tuck into a pocket, medicine cabinet, or bedside table. Together, we’ll craft with herbs traditionally used for sore […]

Creating and tending fire is one of the most uniquely human things there is. Connecting with fire through this ancient skill reconnects us to nature, our ancestors, our bodies, community, and ourselves. In a fast-paced world, friction fire is an opportunity to slow down, breathe, and appreciate all the work that goes into one simple […]

Learn how to brew using any herbal or medicinal plant. Bring herbs or forage with the class, learning to identify edible and medicinal plants in the landscape. If you can make tea out of a plant, you can make a beer with it in this workshop. At one time, beer was one way that people […]

Learn an ancient and practical book binding method dating back thousands of years. This exposed binding shows off decorative and functional sewing elements to allow the book to lay totally flat when opened. Add some flare by choosing a fun color for your cover. Personalize it further with patterned paper tucked away on the inside […]

Spend a relaxed, hands-on morning designing, carving, and printing your own 27” natural cotton tea towel, inspired by the beauty of the surrounding natural landscape. In this 3-hour workshop, you’ll learn the basics of linoleum block carving and hand printing onto fabrics, then bring the design to life on a finished cotton tea towel. This […]

Grab your traveling sketchbook bags for a mixed-media outdoor adventure that combines exploration, observation, research, detailed drawing, and writing. This workshop, called Field Notes, is rooted in the Field Study tradition and encourages you to be curious and dedicate time to building a library of inspiration. It serves as a platform for grounding yourself in […]

In Michigan’s Edible Mushrooms: Eating wild-foraged for Your Health, students will learn about a myriad of edible mushrooms native to Michigan and the Great Lakes region. This class will cover the foundations of taxonomy, mushroom safety, fungi classifications, and foraging techniques. We will then cover the species of edible mushrooms, their seasons, and how to […]

Save the date! Details are coming soon, but we will be hosting a Song Carrier Training Retreat October 16th - 18th with Song Carrier Liz Rog!   RSVP to receive an email when tickets are available for this retreat.