Community Calendar

Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Time: 9:30 am–4 pm
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Location: Thoreson Farm (outside only)

Do you want your plein air paintings to look more lively and intriguing? In this workshop, learn how to infuse your plein air paintings with brushstrokes, texture, and light. We will begin by examining brushstrokes made by impressionist painters, the likes of Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, and Norwegian-American Jonas Lie. Students will explore brushstrokes in terms of size, direction, thickness, and speed. Learn how to manipulate the elements of the brushstroke to get unique effects in painting. In this workshop, students will understand how brushstrokes are used to convey color, contour of objects, and texture. In addition, students will also be introduced to the idea of broken color and color transference that happen with elements in the landscape.

It doesn’t get better than that, so purchase a ticket and show up on Saturday, August 15 for the 17th Annual Suds on the Shore Craft Beer + Wine Festival.

It’s a good time. We promise.

Suds on the Shore features 60 brewers from across Michigan.(goes to new website) All proceeds benefit United Way of Mason County.

Date: M/T/F August 17, 18, and 21, 2026
Time: 1 pm–4 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, August 13, 2026
Location: Thoreson Farm
Skill: All Skill Levels (students ages 16 and up are welcome)

Learn to use the clay extruder to produce forms that can be altered, joined, or carved to create one-of-a-kind pieces, such as vases, boxes, and other functional or sculptural work. Demos and examples of other potters’ work will be used to inform and inspire your studio work.

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)

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.

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.

At Norte Youth Cycling, we believe that riding bikes is for everyone, regardless of gender. However, we also know that many girls prefer to ride with other girls, so we launched our More Girls on Bikes initiative. This opportunity is designed to empower girls (4th grade and up), young women, and women of all ages.

Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Time: 11 am–3 pm
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Location: Glen Arbor Arts Center
Skill: Beginner to Intermediate

Capture the vibrant beauty of blooming spring/summer flowers with expressive palette knife techniques. Through guided demonstrations, Elenora will teach you how to shape petals, leaves, and stems with the palette knife to create depth and balanced composition. Designed for beginner to intermediate skill levels, this class will help you start and complete your own floral masterpiece while developing confidence in this exciting and dynamic painting technique.

Objective: Skill Development

Outcome: 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)