Community Calendar

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.

Led by Marivi Bryant, founder of HOME Agency, a people-first creative and strategy firm based in Traverse City, this workshop explores how arts organizations and artists can use storytelling and social media to inspire connection and drive fundraising. With experience helping mission-driven brands grow through authentic content and community engagement, Marivi will guide participants in identifying their unique stories, translating them into meaningful online communication, and using simple strategies to turn audiences into advocates and supporters.

Attendees will leave with practical tools to:

Clarify and share their story in a way that feels authentic and compelling

Use social media with purpose to grow community and engagement

Connect storytelling to fundraising goals in a sustainable, values-driven way

Join The Kingsley Folk School at Kingsley Branch Library for a relaxed, no-prep storytelling community circle. Inspired by NPR’s The Moth, the Everyone Has a Story series invites you to simply show up and share—no scripts, no pressure. Just real moments from your life, told in the moment.

Together, we’ll listen, laugh, reflect, and connect with neighbors through the power of spontaneous storytelling.

Participants are welcome to speak for up to 5 minutes, or simply come to enjoy the stories and the sense of community.

This gathering happens on the second Thursday of every month from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at the Kingsley Branch Library.

Event is free and open to all, with no registration required.

For more information or to request reasonable accommodations, please call the Library at 231-263-5484 or follow us on Facebook.

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 11:30 am–3:30 pm
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Location: Glen Arbor Arts Center Classroom
Skill: Beginner to Intermediate

Discover the art of watercolor portraiture in this hands-on class. You’ll explore essential skills such as understanding facial proportions, mixing a range of skin tones, and layering translucent washes to create depth and dimension. Eleonora will guide you step by step through techniques for capturing light, shadow, and texture, helping you bring your subject’s personality to life on paper. With watercolor’s fluid and expressive qualities, you’ll learn how to add mood and character to your portraits while developing greater confidence in your painting process. This class is designed for both beginners eager to try portrait painting techniques and those with some experience who want to refine their approach. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with new techniques, a deeper understanding of portrait painting, and a finished watercolor portrait to take home.

Objective: Skill Development

Outcome: Creation of Artwork

Cost: FREE
Audience: All ages, abilities, and interests

🎨🦉🔬 Discover, Explore, Create

Join us every second Saturday for a FREE afternoon of hands-on discovery! Families are invited to enjoy interactive experiences in science, history, and art while exploring the museum’s indoor and outdoor exhibits—including live animals and nature displays.

What to Expect:

🧪 Engaging science, history & art activities
🐍 Animal encounters & museum exploration
🌳 Outdoor exhibits to spark curiosity
🧩 Opportunities for problem-solving & creative thinking
🧠 A space to build critical thinking skills and lifelong learning

Please note: Free Second Saturdays are designed for quality family time. We kindly ask that no large groups attend.

Please Pre-register by "purchasing" a free ticket. This helps us prepare for number of people attending, THANK YOU!

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.

Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 10 am–2 pm with lunch break
Registration Deadline: Monday, October 12, 2026
Location: Myles Kimmerly County Park
Skill: All

Paint “The most beautiful place in America” at the most beautiful time of the year. Painting is about color, and there is no better time than the fall to capture the colorful beauty of Sleeping Bear Country.

Objective: Creativity Enhancement

Outcome: Inspiration and Creativity

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.