Community Calendar

9:30am social time & 10am meeting held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden. Topics of discussion will be plans for upcoming programs, book sales and activities.

Anyone interested in supporting the library is always welcome.

Held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden. 231-331-4318.

RSVP TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT: info@charlevoixcircle.org
Vincent is a multi-faceted artist working in 2D and 3D artistic expressions. His work ranges from painted and mixed media canvas works to wearable fused glass jewelry and accessories.

Originally from the Detroit area, Vincent relocated to Boyne Falls, Michigan in his 20's and has evolved his style & techniques over the years. Pernicano is primarily inspired by nature by using bright colors and striking shapes. “I am inspired in all of my work by everyday life, the natural beauty of our planet, and the mysteries of the universe. I try to create positive images of a better world, and believe that one of reasons we are here is to help evolve life to a higher plane.”

Vincent will be sharing his artistic journey along with examples of his work and variety of techniques and medium he works in.

Creative Wellness Monthly Gathering
Facilitators: Carol Hohle & Meridith Mulcahy

Time: 1:30 pm–3 pm

Registration Deadline: N/A

Location: Meet at the GAAC front desk, then follow the fun—we may head to locations like Pine Street Studio or Thoreson Farm Studio during the summer. (Reserve Pinestreet Classroom as permanent option)
Skill: All Skill Levels
Cost: $10 member/ $12 nonmember
Min/Max: N/A
Time to Set Up: 15 minutes
Time to Clean Up: 15 minutes

This group will gather once a month to share and learn more about the value of creativity in our daily lives. Over a warm mug of brewed tea/coffee (or ice tea/lemonade in the summer!), come connect with others, share ideas, find inspiration, and practical tips to lead a more creative and whole-hearted approach to life. Each month, in addition to checking in with one another, we will explore different practices (journaling, stitching, collaging, photography) that may pique your creative curiosity.

Each week the group will meet at the front desk of the Glen Arbor Art Center and will move to locations such as Pine Street Studio, the GAAC Classroom, the GAAC grove or Thoreson Farm.

Famous actor, James Earl Jones, moved to Dublin, MI as a young boy. During his early years he developed a severe stutter so he seldom spoke. His high school English teacher, Donald Crouch, challenged him to recite a poem he had written aloud in front of the class. He was successful in doing so and he often credited his teacher and mentor with helping him find his famous voice.

The Arts and Culture Alliance of Manistee County commissioned sculptor Bernadette Zachara Marcos, of Honor, to create bronze sculptures of James and his teacher with the theme "Mentorship can be life changing".

The sculptures are located at Kaleva Norman Dickson school in Brethren.

Learn more about this project at the Betsie Valley District Library, as presented by Cindy Asiala, President of The Arts and Culture Alliance of Manistee County.

Joe Lafata of J&N Stone & Steel & Blacksmithing will be at the Charlevoix Circle of Arts demonstrating tradition blacksmith techniques and creating functional and decorative pieces.

Visitors are welcome to ask questions, listen to stories and shop hand forged pieces by Joe. Free to attend!

International Affairs Forum | Giles Press Freedom Lecture
May 28 | 6pm reception | 7 pm event
Milliken Auditorium, in person and online
Free for students & educators
Tickets & details at TCIAF.com

Veteran international correspondent Deborah Amos brings decades of reporting from global conflict zones to northern Michigan for this inaugural lecture. A longtime voice on National Public Radio, Amos has covered the Middle East, migration, and the human consequences of war with depth and clarity.

Her work exemplifies the courage, rigor, and integrity at the heart of the Giles Press Freedom Lecture. In conversation, Amos will explore the evolving challenges facing journalists today—from disinformation and declining trust to increasing threats against press freedom worldwide.

The Giles Press Freedom Lecture is supported in part by a gift to IAF from the late Robert & Nancy Giles. Bob was a two-time Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, editor, and author who served our community as a former IAF Advisory Board member. Nancy was a psychologist and a tireless mental health education advocate. The Giles were lifetime champions of an open worldview, education, press freedom & journalistic integrity.

Join us for the final disucssion in a five-part conversation series hosted by Derenda Lefevre of Open Your Eyes To Access (OYETA). These conversations will focus on centering disability stories, the history of disability in our communities, and provide opportunities for non-disabled people to learn about disability, ableism, and what it means to embrace accessibility and equity in our community spaces. Refreshments will be served and documentation for continuing ed hours is available upon request.

#5 Building Ally Culture & Community: In the final conversation of this series we’ll explore what allyship looks like, identify concrete actions we can take, explore opportunities for continued education, celebrate and uplift the disabled community, and take the Disability Solidarity Pledge.

WATERCOLOR: LOOSE LANDSCAPES
JUNE 11, 2026, Thursday, 10am - 1pm
REGISTER BY: June 8
CLASS FEE: $85, or $76.50 for members​
FORMAT: in-person

Nourish your spirit of experimentation in this high-energy session focused on the "flow" of water. You will discover wet-in-wet techniques and learn the simplicity of dragging, splattering, and spraying to bring fields, trees, and waves to life.

For all levels.
Takeaway: A newfound confidence in expressive landscape fundamentals.

Supplies included for $10 supply (please pay instructor directly at beginning of class).

Local author Grace Edinger, who writes under the pen name Eloise Corvo, is proud to announce the release of her new book, Tunnel Vision: A Stone’s Throw Mystery. The book is now available wherever books are sold.

Tunnel Vision is the sequel to Corvo’s Off the Beaten Path, which topped Traverse City sales charts all last summer. The series is set in the fictional Lake Michigan town of Stone’s Throw, which is reminiscent of towns like Empire or Glen Arbor. This latest work from Corvo reflects her passion for Northern MI’s natural landscapes, offering readers another fun, bingeable murder mystery.

“There’s something magical about Northern Michigan. This book is full of crunchy maple leaves, sand dunes, and small-town vibes that’ll feel familiar to those who live or visit the area. The town of Stone’s Throw is a love letter to the region,” said Corvo.

Book Launch Party Announcement

To celebrate the release, Eloise will host a book launch party on June 11th at Earthen Ales in Traverse City. The event will begin at 7:00 PM and will include a performance from Full Tilt Comedy, and an “in conversation with” discussion with local journalist, Beth Milligan. Members of the public and media are invited to attend.

Copies of Tunnel Vision will be available for purchase at the event through local bookstore, Artemis Books and Goods.

ALCOHOL INK: BEAUTIFUL BIRDS
JUNE 15, 2026, Monday, 10am - 4pm
REGISTER BY: June 12
CLASS FEE: $125, or $112.50 for members​
FORMAT: in-person

Apply the magic of alcohol inks to a specific subject as you learn to paint the bird of your choice. Through step by-step demonstrations, you will learn to achieve intricate detail and precision within a fluid medium.

Takeaway: A finished, intricate bird painting and personalized guidance on ink control.

Supplies included for $15 supply (please pay instructor directly at beginning of class).​​

​With artist JULIE TIBUS

Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.
Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4
Maximum # of Participants = 10