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Pen, Ink and Watercolor Workshop

Learn techniques for both that will include dry brush, color bleeding and salt application. Students will learn how to add detail and/or outline with india ink to develop contrast in the artwork. Combine drawing and painting with two different techniques! Experiment to find your style. We will work with abstract and realism to bring these two playful mediums together.

*Supplies needed: Watercolor paper, brushes of various sizes and any brand of watercolors (minimum primaries with black and white, india ink and drawing tip calligraphy pens OR a thin brush.

Instructor: Molly Seim. Molly has a degree in Fine Arts from IHCC and is pursuing a degree in arts education. She's a devotee of mixed media, and loves to draw and paint animals and still life when she's not getting muddy in a clay studio.

Cost: 2 sessions: $48 + $20 materials fee (optional if you have your own supplies*)
Painting Whimsical Acrylic Animals

In this acrylic painting class you'll be creating whimsical, simplified graphic images of animals! Have fun experimenting with color outside of the realm of 'normal'. Students will also explore playing with abstraction, lines, and shapes.

Using patterns for background and painting animals of your choosing, create your own cute and funky stylized images. Go home with two paintings to display proudly!

*Supply needs: canvas or thick paper, various sized brushes, acrylic paint (primary colors or colors you like, white and black) Instructor will have lots of animal books for your inspiration.

Instructor: Molly Seim. Molly has a degree in Fine Arts from IHCC and is pursuing a degree in arts education. She's a devotee of mixed media, and loves to draw and paint animals and still life when she's not getting muddy in a clay studio.

Create funky clay charms out of polymer clay! These are the cutest little things! Kawaii is a Japanese word meaning "adorable, cute, or loveable."

You can make keychains or phone charms, pendants or zipper pulls, animals or people, corn cobs or waffles, chickens, chinese to-go containers with chopsticks, or miniature anything!

You may chose to add a cute kawaii style face or leave it plain. Once created, it is baked and a gloss glaze is applied and allowed to dry.

Supplies include: Polymer clay, pliers, exacto knives, tooth picks, polymer clay gloss glaze, hardware and beading pins.

Instructor: Molly Seim. Molly has a degree in Fine Arts from IHCC and is pursuing a degree in arts education. She's a devotee of mixed media, and loves to draw and paint animals and still life when she's not getting muddy in a clay studio.

Saturday, September 22, 10am-4pm
Sunday, September 23, 11am-3pm.
Cost: $198 plus $35 materials fee
Concrete Sculpture Workshop w/Rianna DeRaad
Learn to make a concrete statue in this 2-day workshop with award-winning folk artist Wouterina "Riana" DeRaad. You'll learn techniques in this workshop that are not taught in any other schools or books! Bring a pair of part-rubber/part-cloth gloves and a face mask to class. Everything else you'll need is supplied.

During the first day of this workshop, participants will be making a multi-layered metal armature, which will be cemented in the following day. You will learn how to cut and shape the metal lathe and when and how to use reinforcements. There will be a demonstration on the various cementing techniques, discussions on cement formulas, and what pigments to use for coloring cement.

You can even go one step further and embellish your concrete sculpture with mosaic tile. Rianna's Mosaic 2-day workshop will take place in October!

Since 1988 Wouterina has created more than 40 figures that make up a sculpture garden at her home in Beldenville, WI. Wouterina's award-winning sculpture gardens have been featured on “Rebecca’s Garden” and “The Wisconsin Gardener” on Wisconsin Public Television, and in numerous publications including Midwest Living, Minnesota Monthly, Wisconsin Trails Magazine, Country Gardens, Minnesota Horticulturist, and the Folk Art Messenger.

A little about Riana: "I like for my statues to provoke imagination, to look naive and old, as though they have been here for many years. Beauty, function and longevity are my main objectives. Most statues have a welded steel frame and two layers of a metal mesh for strength, followed by one or two layers of concrete. To make the mosaics, pottery shards, glass, pebbles and various other objects are applied with a tile adhesive. Most pieces are finished with a grout."

View Riana's online gallery for inspiration and amazement at her website !

Please also check out the frequently asked questions and answers about Rianna's workshops.

Saturday, September 29, 9am-4pm
Sunday, September 30, 9am-4pm
Cost: $148 + $20 materials fee
Batik Weekend Workshop

Make colorful, intriguing pieces of art by applying hot molten wax and dye in layers on cloth!

Beginners as well as the experienced batiker will find this workshop enjoyable.

Instructor and expert Batiker
Deb Johnson will guide you through the process using brushes, stamps, stencils and other tools specific to batik.

Participants can expect to have created at least 4 complete pieces of art cloth by the end of the two day workshop, ready to frame or hang on a dowel or rod!

Dyes, wax, tools, and fabric will be supplied.


Please bring to class:
1. 3 pieces of cardboard no larger than 16 X 20
2. 2 rolls wax paper
3. Scissors
4. 1 roll paper towel
5. Masking tape
6. 3 inch stack of newspapers – shiny pages removed
7. 1 pair rubber gloves

Deb Johnson maintains an individual studio, and has collaborated on many projects including exhibits, an indigo dyeing business, and has developed workshops loaded with information, inspiration and fun!

Saturday, October 6: 10am-4pm.
Cost: $115 plus suggested self-supplied materials.
Color Temperature Workshop with Kami Polzin

This workshop is designed to train and fine-tune the eye to recognize and see the difference in color temperatures and their relationships to their surrounding colors.

Mr. Murphy's Dahlias by Kami Polzin

In this workshop you will build an understanding of color temperature relationships using a limited palette of color. The day will be designated to train the eye by doing a series of color mixing and recognizing exercises using the palette knife.

Within each mass of color are subtle color temperature changes that brings life and light to a painting - if observed and noted. We will be working on mixing large pools of 'mass' colors and focus of seeing what cool and warm shifts are happening within the light and dark masses. Many painters can see the 'vibrations' of color but are not sure how to handle it with paint. In these two days we will be focusing on how to work with all this vibrating color you see and teach you to see it more clearly.

Supply List:
2 good mixing palette knives, one small and one medium
Oil Paints:
Cadmium yellow Light
Cadmium Red
Ultra Marine Blue
Titanium white
palette in a 1/2 tone gray (suggested, not required)
1@ 8x10 panel
2@ 6x8 panels
no brushes necessary
no turps
Portable easel if you have one, if not, please let us know!

Kami Polzin is a highly sought after painter and instructor here in the St Croix Valley and abroad. Her painting and teaching has earned her numerous awards and has led her to Europe 2 years in a row where she painted and taught in the hills on Tuscany. Her passion and enthusiasm for painting is contagious and inspirational! Kami's skills in interpreting nature in a simplified and direct manner have been fine tuned over many years of painting both in the studio and outside from life. Her ability to pass that on to her students in an inspirational way has built a reputation amongst students and painters throughout the St. Croix Valley and beyond.

Saturday, October 13, 10am-4pm
Sunday, October 14, 11am-3pm
Cost: $170 + $10 materials fee
Mosaic Workshop w/Rianna DeRaad

• Bring non porous materials to tile with if your project will reside outside all year around
• Please break your tile (tessarae) before coming to the workshop. An easy way to do this is fold an
  old towel several times, lay your tile /dish glazed side facing down in between the folds, and break it with a hammer. (Kind of fun!) Don't forget to wear safety glasses.
• We will be using a cement-based tile adhesive, so please don't bring metal or painted wood to tile on.

Please bring: a sharp scissors, a yard stick, 2-3 bath towels and a permanent marker.

A pair of felted wool slippers is not only the most comfortable pair of slippers you own, but it is also a great way to add the techniques of using a resist and shifting shape to your feltmaking know-how.

Anyone can make beautiful felted 3-dimensional objects - including personalized, unique wearables. In this class you'll learn how to turn a two-dimensional felted object into a three-dimensional finished project. Using wool fiber, a piece of plastic, soap, water and an upper body workout, you will create a pair of seamless slippers! No sewing or assembly is required.

Instructor Jill Lynn has been teaching feltmaking workshops and classes since early 2008 and really enjoys sharing her process. In fact, the use of the process and a good deal of play are an important component to Jill's teaching. When you come to a class with her be prepared to learn as you go. You can obtain a great deal of control over what is happening under your hands while make a felted piece, but there are always surprises. So let's play.

The workshop will begin with lecture and discussion on the elements of painting a still life, including a complete demonstration from start to finish (about 3 hours). After lecture and demo on the first day, you will begin the drawing of your painting on a 14x11 canvas and then begin massing in your large shapes of the canvas.

This is not 'how to paint a still life' class, but rather 'using' the still life to learn and strengthen ourselves as painters by emphasizing composition, structure, massing and color temperature and its relativity to its neighboring colors.

By the end of the second day you can expect to have a finished painting working directly from life, and we'll end with a group critique. This workshop is designed to fine tune your color temperature eye - bringing life and vitality to your work. We will be working on mixing large pools of 'mass' colors and focus on seeing what cool and warm shifts are happening within the light and dark masses. Many painters can see the 'vibrations' of color but are not sure how to handle them with paint. In these two days we will be focusing on how to work with all this vibrating color you see so you can learn to see it more clearly.

Kami Polzin is a highly sought after painter and instructor here in the St Croix Valley and abroad. Her painting and teaching has earned her numerous awards and has led her to Europe 2 years in a row where she painted and taught in the hills on Tuscany. Her passion and enthusiasm for painting is contagious and inspirational! Kami's skills in interpreting nature in a simplified and direct manner have been fine tuned over many years of painting both in the studio and outside from life. Her ability to pass that on to her students in an inspirational way has built a reputation amongst students and painters throughout the St. Croix Valley and beyond.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 29 - December 1: 10am-4pm each day.
Cost: $165 plus suggested self-supplied materials.
Rosemaling Workshop: Make Your Own Ornaments!
Click here to download the materials list

Come rosemal miniature sleighs and
various ornaments for your own holiday
decorating or gift-giving!

Calling all rosemalers! A three-day workshop in which you will be rosemaling holiday ornaments is being offered. This workshop is open to anyone who has experience with basic rosemaling techniques and/or anyone who has participated in any of Ken's previous rosemaling workshops. These darling ornaments are only several inches in length, and would make wonderful heirloom-quality gifts.

The instructor will provide wooden ornament blanks available for purchase for $2 each. If you prefer to do another project other than ornaments, please feel free to bring your own project! You'll receive individual attention, learn from others in the group, and make friends.

Rosemaling is a form of decorative flower painting that originated in Norway in the 1700s. These graceful designs are derived from C and S strokes and are characterized by flowing lines and scroll, imaginative, fanciful flowers, and subtle colors. Rosemaling may also incorporate figures, scenes and script lettering.

Instructor Ken Magnuson was awarded the Vesterheim Gold Medal for excellence in rosemaling by the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah. To earn this award, artists must complete and earn 8 points at the annual national competition each July. The first Gold Medal was awarded in 1969. Since that time, less then 50 artists have received this award.

Open Studio - Life Drawing sessions at Crossings
Scheduled sessions take place from Noon to 3 pm.

Upcoming sessions: May 13, June 17, July 29, Sept 9, Oct 14, Nov 11, Dec 9.
Life Drawing is $18 per session or $30 for two. Includes model fee.

“Life Drawing is at once the most frustrating and satisfying art form that an artist can undertake” - artist Mike Schad of Zumbro Falls.

The ‘Open Studio-Life Drawing’ sessions are a great opportunity for artists, at any level of expertise, to practice and hone their skills, and expand their ability to "see." Professional and emerging artists, as well as fine art students developing their portfolios, motivate each other with their own abilities, critiques, and encouragement. Each artist works independently in the medium of their choice.

Live models, natural light, welcoming and creative setting.

"Crossings is one of my favorite places to teach.
I love it not only for its wonderful, engaging students, but for the warmth and vitality of the art gallery space. Crossings is a great place to be a writer." – Alison McGhee - Author, Pulitzer Prize winner and Loft Literary Center Instructor

Classes are listed below in chronological order

Help us plan! Register at least one week prior to class.
Click here for the fine print about cancellations and refunds.

Saturdays, June 30 through July 21, 10am-1pm.
Cost: $35, or all 4 classes for $112 ($28 per class).
Enhancing Elements of Craft: A Series on Technique

Level: Beginning to Advanced Writers; All Ages

In this four-part series we will discuss aspects of craft using practical techniques. We will study examples as well as create some of our own. Students will take away examples and instructional packets from each session that include writing prompt exercises they can use to explore what they have learned.

This course is not genre specific and will benefit writers from all skill levels!

Each course session will tackle an aspect of craft.

June 30: Setting/Place/Storyworld
We will discuss what it means to create a storyworld. We will look at examples and complete setting-oriented writing exercises. We will focus on what Setting/Place contributes to storytelling and how we can best use it to serve our work.

July 7: Character Description/Development
In this session, we will explore methods of capturing character through details, surroundings, body language, metaphors and dialogue. We will look at profiling our characters and learn techniques on how to track their development. We will also complete several exercises on character.

July 14: Story Structure/Beginnings and Endings
We will examine how story works on a mechanical level. We will look at the pitfalls and benefits of traditional and unconventional story structures. We will also look into potential ways to begin and end our work and study examples. Participants are encouraged to bring in a piece of their writing to examine.

July 21: Editing/Revision
This session will focus on how to enhance our writing through rewriting. We will look at how to receive criticism and where to get it. We will do an example editing exercise to get your inner critic revved up. Real writers are revisers. Come to this session and get hooked on revising.

Instructor Emily Urness, MFA has been all shades of writer from poet to playwright and everything in between but she considers her genre of choice to be Creative Non-Fiction. She has worked as an editor for several literary publications. She strongly believes all you need in life is a pen, a piece of paper and a sense of humor. Emily is currently working on a collection of Creative Non-fiction Essays about her wacky family and her father's journey through MS.

Saturday, September 22, 10am-4pm (45 minute lunch break).
Cost: $65.
Speak Memory: Calling Class

Using readings and lecture, we will learn about adding details in memoir and family stories to enrich the histories of our lives. We will discuss employing sensory and original details, objects, photos and documents, to inspire us and to enliven our writing.

We will practice these methods in class, and writers are invited to bring some previously written work (600-900 words), with which Jorie will show how to give and receive feedback.

Jorie Miller has taught creative writing to adults in Minnesota and Belgium. She currently teaches at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. She especially understands beginning writers and how to encourage first steps into the writing process. Her students have gone on to publish, win writing awards, and pursue further studies. Jorie writes poetry and memoir. She is recently published in the anthology The Wind Blows, The Ice Breaks: Poems of Loss and Renewal by Minnesota Poets, and online as a winner in the miniStories/MN Lit sponsored by Minnesota Artists and Magers and Quinn Booksellers.

Classes are listed below in chronological order

Help us plan! Register at least one week prior to class.
Click here for the fine print about cancellations and refunds.

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Yoga
Musical Instruction

Guitar, Bass and Mandolin Lessons:
Wednesdays from 3-7:30pm; call to set up time.

$18 per half-hour private weekly lesson, paid monthly. Requires two-month commitment, and 30 days' notice before cancellation. Please read Crossings' music instruction FAQ's

One-on-one instruction, acoustic or electric guitar, plus bass and mandolin! Beginners on up: all ages!

Jim Kaske has been teaching at Crossings since 2004. He has a great love for music of all kinds, and enjoys teaching students ages 5 to 94! Jim is used to teaching a wide range of styles, from rock to classical. Jim is constantly learning new music, styles and techniques so he is able to meet the interests of his students. For each student that Jim teaches, a customized lesson is created for each lesson to meet that student’s individual needs and wants. Every student’s learning style and music preferences are taken into consideration to foster an environment of fun and learning with one on one attention.

Jim has been playing guitar since the age of 15 and has no plan on stopping as there is so much music to learn! Jim has a Masters Certificate in Music Theory, Harmony, and Ear Training from Berklee College of Music, along with a degree from Winona State University in Business Administration.

From former student Wanda:
Jim is a very good teacher. He is not only skilled but also a wealth of knowledge about guitar playing, its history and styles and artists. Zumbrota is very lucky to have him teaching here.
He is so patient with old, arthritic people like me with 10 thumbs.

Crossings' music instruction FAQ's

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Crossings is located in a former Carnegie Library building in
Zumbrota, Minnesota.
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