Community Calendar

The Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference gathers full-time farmers, home-scale growers, and the farm-curious to explore growing practices, business skills, and community collaboration.

Join us for the 2026 conference in downtown Bellaire, which includes farm tours at Providence Organic Farm and Daybreak Dreamfarm, a screening of Farming While Black, a keynote from Rosebud Bear Schneider, and two days of sessions covering a wide array of topics.

Date: Monday, October 5, 2026
Time: 12:30 pm–4:30 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Location: Glen Arbor Arts Center Classroom
(no oil media, maximum of 12 students)
Skill: Beginner to Intermediate

Celebrate Polish Heritage Month and discover the beauty of Wycinanki, the traditional Polish folk art of hand-cut paper design. In this fun and creative workshop, you’ll have the option to personalize one of the instructor’s samples—no two are ever alike—or design your own original composition. Using layers of colorful paper, scissors, and modern tools, you’ll explore the patterns, symmetry, and storytelling that define this time-honored art form. Along the way, you’ll learn key techniques and design principles, as well as a bit of the fascinating history and cultural significance behind Wycinanki. Whether your inspiration comes from nature, heritage, or imagination, your finished piece will be uniquely yours—ready to mat, frame, and proudly display. This hands-on experience blends tradition with creativity, offering a meaningful connection to Polish folk art and a fresh appreciation for the artistry of paper cutting.

Objective: Skill Development, Creativity Enhancement

Outcome: Creation of Artwork, Inspiration and Creativity

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, October 6, 2026
Time: 10 am–12 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Location: Glen Arbor Arts Center Classroom
(no oil media, maximum of 12 students)
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

In this workshop, Cheryl Ann Boc-Chidester will guide participants in creating one-of-a-kind cyanotype images using a historic camera-less photography technique invented in 1842. Students will place flat objects on paper coated with an iron salt solution, expose them to UV light, and wash the paper to reveal striking white and Prussian blue images, which can be enhanced with light watercolor washes. During the two-hour class, each student will create at least two images. The instructor will provide a variety of flat objects, including dried flowers, leaves, lace, ribbon, and seashells, but participants are also welcome to bring their own materials to create personalized, unique works of art.

Objective: Conceptual Understanding, Creativity Enhancement

Outcome: Creation of Artwork, Inspiration and Creativity

The Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference gathers full-time farmers, home-scale growers, and the farm-curious to explore growing practices, business skills, and community collaboration.

Join us for the 2026 conference in downtown Bellaire, which includes farm tours at Providence Organic Farm and Daybreak Dreamfarm, a screening of Farming While Black, a keynote from Rosebud Bear Schneider, and two days of sessions covering a wide array of topics.

Torch Area Artisans Guild (TAAG) meets every Tuesday from 10am-12pm. We have been creating art and contributing to our community for over 40 years. We are quilters, embroiderers, knitters, weavers, painters, potters, jewelers, and more; all artists welcome!

Newcomers are invited to visit our meetings. Contact us by email at taartisansguild@gmail.com, or view our page at www.facebook.com/TorchAreaArtisansGuild.

Sponsored by Alden District Library, 231-331-4318, and held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden.

People of all skill levels, including beginners are invited to play.

Free Event.

Sponsored by Alden District Library and held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden, 231-331-4318.

People of all skill levels, including beginners, are welcome! For more info, contact Sue Archer at 231-944-0013.

Sponsored by Alden District Library and held at Helena Township Community Center & Library, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden, 231-331-4318.

Join us for a hands-on workshop designed to help artists prepare both themselves and their artwork for gallery opportunities. This session focuses on the practical foundations that support successful exhibitions and ongoing relationships with galleries.

This interactive session is ideal for artists who want to feel more confident and prepared when pursuing exhibition or sales opportunities. Attendees are encouraged to bring images or information about their work and will leave with practical tools, clearer next steps, and materials they can immediately apply to their practice.

Facilitator: Sheila Ruen
Sheila Ruen is an artist, educator, and consultant, currently teaching digital photography at NCMC in Petoskey and serving as a consultant to the Petoskey Public Art Commission.

Must register for event. Not a member - join at https://nwmiarts.org/members/become-a-member.html

Every Wednesday May 6th, 2026 - Oct 28th, 2026, Except the 3rd Wednesday of each month and July 29. Free lessons at 11:30am. Lunch (bring your own) and bridge talk at Noon. ACBL-sanctioned bridge game for $5.00 begins at 12:30pm.

For more details, contact Lou Slyker at 248-770-6152 or ljslyker@gmail.com

Sponsored by Alden District Library and held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden, 231-331-4318.