Community Calendar

Dates: July 27, 28, and 31, 2026
Time: 9 am–11:30 am
Registration Deadline: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Location: GAAC Classroom
Ages: 6–12

The Art Rangers camp is the perfect choice for the young artist who wants to explore a variety of media in a supportive, engaging environment. Paint, draw, sculpt, and print each week with exciting new projects. Campers will leave with an overflowing portfolio that will inspire continued curiosity. Join us for one session or all summer!

Objective: Skill Development, Creativity Enhancement

Outcome: Creation of Artwork, Inspiration and Creativity

Date: July 27, 28, and 31, 2026
Time: 9 am–11:30 am
Registration Deadline: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Location: Thoreson Farm
Ages: 7–12

The Clay Cubs camp immerses young artists in various clay hand-building techniques while discovering how exciting creating in a real ceramic studio can be. It’s the perfect fit for the camper who likes to get messy and investigate the ceramic medium in depth. All projects are glazed and kiln-fired and will be ready for pickup in 2–3 weeks. The instructor can also make arrangements for shipping projects for a shipping fee. Join us for one session or all summer!

NOTE: Finished pieces are normally ready for pick up within 2–4 weeks.

Objective: Skill Development, Creativity Enhancement

Outcome: Inspiration and Creativity, Development of Personal Style

In memory of Joe and Jane Muer, this giant community collage with over 200 canvases, created by local artists, is on display beginning June 6th. Each piece is priced at $40.00 with all proceeds benefiting programming at the Oliver Art Center.

Summer Hours:
June 1 – September 30:
Monday – Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday 12:00pm – 4:00pm

Weekly meeting for women with disabilities with new activities every week! Join to build community and meet with like-minded individuals at the Disability Network Northern Michigan. Also available on Zoom from 11AM-12PM.

Weekly meeting for men with disabilities with new activities every week! Join to build community and meet with like-minded individuals at the Disability Network Northern Michigan.

Date: M/T/F July 27, 28, and 31, 2026
Time: 1 pm–4 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Location: Thoreson Farm
Skill: Intermediate to advanced

Take your throwing skills to the next level. Learn the techniques for throwing taller and narrowing the necks of pots to create more graceful, functional forms. Produce more refined shapes by balancing the elements of your 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

Come have fun with us at French Valley! Enjoy live music, locally crafted drinks, kid-friendly options, and tasty snacks for the whole family.

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)

Performances by the Clam Lake Band happening every Monday starting June 29 at 7:00pm running through August 3. The band has been holding their concerts at the Pavilion for now over 50 years. Each week is a new theme.

Follow their Facebook page for more information.

Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Time: 9 am–12 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Location: Thoreson Farm.
Skill: All

Other Sessions in 4-Part Series: Monet (July 7). Kandinsky (July 14). Porter (July 21).

Imagine if history’s greatest landscape painters had the opportunity to paint in Sleeping Bear country, “The Most Beautiful Place In America.” This is a class to not only learn the techniques of plein air painting but also to learn about the methods of history’s great landscape painters. Each class will start off with a brief illustrated presentation, beginning with The History Of Landscape Painting, and moving on to newly featured artists for 2026, including Claude Monet, Wassily Kandinsky, Fairfield Porter, and Wolf Kahn. Following the presentations, students will seek to incorporate ideas learned into their own paintings. The instructor will give frequent demonstrations and provide close personal attention to each student.

Objective: Conceptual Understanding

Outcome: Development of Personal Style