Community Calendar

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.

The Glen Arbor Arts Center’s 2025 Small Works Holiday Exhibition is an annual showcase of 2D + 3D work that offers small, original art at affordable prices, $150 or less. The exhibition is November 5 – December 17, 2025, and features more than 100 works of art, 12” x 12” or smaller, by 19 artists working in glass, mixed media, collage, needlework, paper, paint, clay, and photography.

PREVIEW WEEK: Preview Week is November 5 - 13. Leisurely peruse the artwork online or in the Main Gallery. Small Works objects will be available for purchase at the Grateful Gathering on November 14, 6 - 8 pm. Artwork purchases continue through December 17.

GRATEFUL GATHERING: Enjoy holiday refreshments, and morsels while perusing the exhibit. In addition, the GAAC’s Art Wish List returns. Visitors can donate a wish to help with the GAAC’s year-round programming.

The 2025 Small Works exhibitors are: Michele Aucello, Sarah Bearup-Neal, Mark Bowyer, Mercedes Bowyer, Frank Clements, Lauren Everett Finn, John Huston, Claudia Keglovitz, Jessica Kovan, Cynthia Marks, Alice Moss, Nori Obata, Steb Prieto, Shana Robinson, Pam Spicer, Amy Stevens, Nina Tarr, and Judy Wieske.
View the Small Works exhibit online beginning November 5. For more information go to GlenArborArt.org / EXHIBITS.

Join us for an interactive discussion about how to foster a culture of innovation within your organization. Together, we'll learn about the importance of innovation regardless of the type or size of your organization, best practices that you can implement today, and we'll share peer-to-peer learnings as intrapraneurs and entrepreneurs.

Facilitator: Brittany VanderBeek
Brittany VanderBeek has spent her career at the intersection of business, higher education, and the nonprofit world, championing business as a force for good and preparing the next generation for successful careers. Through sustainability consulting at BrownFlynn, Michelin’s Global Leadership Program, corporate giving and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy at Hagerty, fund development and community engagement at 20Fathoms, teaching innovation and entrepreneurship at Northwestern Michigan College and Grand Valley State University, starting her own innovation and growth strategy consulting business, Illuminate Opportunity LLC, and now leading U.S. business development for AquaAction, Brittany illuminates opportunities for people and organizations to innovate and positively impact on the world. She has an International MBA from the University of South Carolina and a BBA from the University of Michigan. In the community, you’ll find her on the water everyday throughout Michigan – whether training for the Detroit Marathon on the Detroit River, running with the Traverse City Track Club on Grand Traverse West Bay, or volunteering as a Grand Traverse Lighthouse Keeper.

Audience: Who is this for?
This session is designed for:

Art & culture administrators
Creative sector entrepeneurs

The Guided Walking History Tours of Traverse City will begin its tenth season on July 9th, following the National Cherry Festival.

The informative tour is about two and a half hours covering a two-mile route. The tours begin at the Perry Hannah Plaza, located at the corner 6th and Union St. near downtown.

There is no charge for the tours, but gratuities for the guides are appreciated. Groups of six or more can schedule tours at other times.

For 2025 our 10:00 AM walking tours begin on Wednesday July 9th and continue daily through October 8th. No reservations are needed, simply arrive by 10:00 AM please.

National Alliance on Mental Illness offers support groups for families and individuals living with a mental health challenge. Groups are confidential, free and no registration is required.

Email info@namigt.org or call 231-944-8448 for more information.

The National Writers Series is thrilled to welcome renowned poet Kate Baer to Traverse City to discuss her latest collection, “How About Now,” an unapologetic examination of the march of time in a shifting world and what it means to grow older.

Channeling Baer’s own journey to middle age, the poems in “How About Now” explore age, motherhood, and what it means to release children into the wildness of their own lives. Raw and urgent, the collection is both intimate and universal.

From the poet who has captured the heartbeat of the modern woman, “How About Now” is a striking declaration of ongoing transformation and self-discovery at every stage of life.

Baer will take to the stage at the Milliken Auditorium at the Dennos Museum Center on December 3, 2025. The event will begin at 7 PM and includes Q&A and an author signing. This is a general admission event. Don’t miss out on an incredible evening! In-person and virtual tickets are available at nationalwritersseries.org now!

General Admissions tickets ($20) do not include a copy of "How About Now." Individual tickets ($36) do include a copy of the book, discounted 20% from retail price.

Join us for the 7th annual Holiday Open House at Silly Sister’s Pottery

December 5, 3-7 pm
December 6, 10-4 pm

Featured artists:
Silly Sister’s Pottery by Denni Moline
Handbuilt Ceramic Birch Items by Jan Toscano
Photography by Wendy Petera, The Traveling Squirrel

Bring your friends and explore a wide variety of unique artwork and one-of-a-kind gift ideas! Take a tour of our pottery studio and meet the talented artists behind the creations.

Wine and munchies will be served.

Calling all trivia buffs! Test your knowledge of the natural world with us at Earthen Ales! Occurring seasonally, each trivia night will include five exciting rounds and one speed-round featuring a local partner organization who will bring their own expertise to the evening. Expect engaging questions, great conversation, and a deeper connection to our region’s ecology and community!

When: Friday, December 5th from 6:00 - 8:00pm

Where: Earthen Ales, 1371 Gray Dr #200, Traverse City, MI 49684

Registration: $5/person at the door. No registration required.

Audience: Adults

Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, with whom she forms a bond. Matilda's school life isn't all smooth sailing, though – the school's mean headmistress hates children and loves to punish those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda’s courage and cleverness could be the school pupils' saving grace!

Deck the halls with local flair! Find unique handmade gifts from regional artists showcasing a variety of ready-to-gift handmade items, holiday cards, ornaments, accessories and more.

Oliver Art Center is closed on Mondays and also on November 27th and 28th.

Market hours are Tuesday - Saturday from 10am-4pm