Community Calendar

Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Time: 9 am–12 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, July 2, 2026
Location: Thoreson Farm.
Skill: All

Other Sessions in 4-Part Series: Kandinsky (July 14). Porter (July 21). Kahn (July 28).

Imagine if history’s greatest landscape painters had the opportunity to paint in Sleeping Bear country, “The Most Beautiful Place In America.” This is a class to not only learn the techniques of plein air painting but also to learn about the methods of history’s great landscape painters. Each class will start off with a brief illustrated presentation, beginning with The History Of Landscape Painting, and moving on to newly featured artists for 2026, including Claude Monet, Wassily Kandinsky, Fairfield Porter, and Wolf Kahn. Following the presentations, students will seek to incorporate ideas learned into their own paintings. The instructor will give frequent demonstrations and provide close personal attention to each student.

Objective: Conceptual Understanding

Outcome: Development of Personal Style

Date: Wednesday–Friday, July 8, 9, and 10, 2026
Time: 9 am–1 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, July 2, 2026
Location: Thoreson Farm
Skill Level: All

Experience plein air oil painting in various locations throughout the historic Port Oneida landscape. This workshop will introduce plein air painting techniques and teach strategies for depicting natural and rural landscapes. Subjects of study will include: atmosphere, trees, terrain, sky, water, beach, and farm buildings. Each class will begin with a painting demonstration, followed by group painting and individual instruction. We will paint rain or shine! Each day, the weather will present new challenges and learning opportunities. All experience levels are welcome. Only a positive attitude is required.

This class will meet at Thoreson Farm each day and may travel to other farms and beaches throughout the Port Oneida Rural Historic District to enjoy a variety of different painting locations.

Free, peer-led mental health support groups: NAMI Family Support and NAMI Connection Group.

Both held Wednesdays, 12pm at Christ Church, 430 Fair St. (See website for zoom link)

Free, peer-led mental health support: NAMI Connection Group. Held Wednesdays, 5pm Online (see website for zoom link) and at Child & Family Services, 3785 Veterans Dr.

Monday - Friday, 9am - 12pm
Ages: 7 - 12
Fee: $125 or $112.50 for members.
Students bring: Water bottle & snack each day.

THEME: THE BIG AND SMALL OF IT

Campers will experiment with a wide variety of materials, including wood, papier-mache, found objects and recycled materials. These resources will be used to create three-dimensional sculptures and wall reliefs. Throughout these activities students will learn about form, balance, positive and negative space, scale and the importance of teamwork.

Each camper will create both large scale sculptures and vessels!

Date: M/T/F July 13, 14 and 17, 2026
Time: 1 pm–4 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Location: Thoreson Farm
Skill: All Skill Levels

In this popular class, you will learn the basics of extruding and slab-rolling clay to construct tiny clay houses. Various decorating techniques will be used to finish the houses. Weather permitting, we will Raku fire the houses on Friday. The tranquil setting of Thoreson will inspire you to think of home and place.

NOTE: Finished pieces are normally ready for pick up within 2-4 weeks.

Objective: Skill Development, Creativity Enhancement

Outcome: Improved Technique, Creation of Artwork

Free, peer-led mental health support groups:

*NAMI Family Support (Mondays at 6pm. Online and in-person at HBA, 3040 Sunset Ln. See website for zoom link.)

*NAMI Connection Group (Mondays at 6pm. Online, see website for zoom link)

Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Time: 9 am–12 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Location: TBD
Skill: All

Other Sessions in 4-Part Series: Monet (July 7). Porter (July 21). Kahn (July 28).

Imagine if history’s greatest landscape painters had the opportunity to paint in Sleeping Bear country, “The Most Beautiful Place In America.” This is a class to not only learn the techniques of plein air painting but also to learn about the methods of history’s great landscape painters. Each class will start off with a brief illustrated presentation, beginning with The History Of Landscape Painting, and moving on to newly featured artists for 2026, including Claude Monet, Wassily Kandinsky, Fairfield Porter, and Wolf Kahn. Following the presentations, students will seek to incorporate ideas learned into their own paintings. The instructor will give frequent demonstrations and provide close personal attention to each student.

Objective: Conceptual Understanding

Outcome: Development of Personal Style

Free, peer-led mental health support groups: NAMI Family Support and NAMI Connection Group.

Both held Wednesdays, 12pm at Christ Church, 430 Fair St. (See website for zoom link)

Free, peer-led mental health support: NAMI Connection Group. Held Wednesdays, 5pm Online (see website for zoom link) and at Child & Family Services, 3785 Veterans Dr.