Art Classes:
Class Schedule - Help us plan! Register at least one week prior to class.
Please note: all class registrations are final!
Unavoidable cancellations will be handled on an individual basis. Please call for more information.

 

Watercolor Glazing Workshop
Friday-Sunday, July 11-13: 9:30am-4pm. Cost: $245/3 days plus supplies fee

Learn how to paint luminous, larger than life still lives and florals!

Each student will complete their own version of this painting by the conclusion of the workshop

 

This class is geared towards beginners, as well as more advanced artists. The focus will be on learning the glazing technique exployed by instructor June Young to achieve luminosity in your work. By layering paint, and learning to see subtle nuances of color and light, your watercolor work will come alive. There will be lots of one-on-one help for each student.

Each student will receive one 8x10 photo reference to paint from that is theirs to keep. The instructor will paint the same painting on a half sheet of paper. There will be plenty of time throughout the class for students to paint other paintings from their own photo references. Students will receive help with those paintings as well. It is suggested that students come with two more photos of their choice, blown up to 8x10. They may have them already drawn on a piece of paper, or, help is available with that as well.

Each day of the workshop will begin with a demo, and again to start the afternoon. Because taking a good photo reference is so important when doing realistic paintings, The instructor will go over the topic of how to take a good photo, and setting up still lifes to take pictures of. All students should bring their camera!

 

Instructor June Young has been painting for 42 years, the past 30 of them in watercolor, and has been teaching classes for the past twenty-five years.She has Signature status in the National Watercolor Society, The Transparent Watercolor Society of America, and she is a member of the U.S.A. Watercolor Honor Society, as well as having Signature status in six other watercolor societies across the country.

Click HERE for Supplies List!

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Make a Silver Ring in a Day!
Saturday, July 26: 10am-3pm (one hour lunch break). Cost: $76. Includes all supplies!

Create a textured silver ring and wear it home the same day!

We will use a material called Precious Metal Clay (PMC) to create a pure silver ring. Precious Metal Clay, often referred to as Precious Metal Clay (PMC) or Art Clay, is a revolutionary new material developed in Japan by Mitsubishi Materials. Metal Clay is made up of tiny particles of pure silver or gold which are suspended in a non-toxic organic binder to create a material that can be worked like modeling clay. The clay, in it’s unfired form, can be worked with the fingers and clay modeling tools to create a vast range of forms and surfaces that would be unattainable or laborious with traditional metalworking techniques.

After the clay has taken on the desired form, it is fired in a kiln at high temperatures to burn off the binder and fuse the metal. The result is a solid, 100% pure silver object. After firing, the solid metal can be sanded, soldered, colored and polished like conventional metal.

You will learn how to size your ring and set a semi-precious gemstone to make rings that fit you and your style. Come with your imagination and go home with a finished ring! Laurie Riekmann is a certified instructor of PMC.

As always, in Laurie's classes you learn great tips and techniques in working with the material, use of all her tools and supplies and receive one-on-one instruction to help you create and go home with a one of a kind piece of jewelry.- Laurie Riekmann, Instructor. (www.froginthemoon.com)

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Kaleidoscope Creations
Saturday, August 16: 12:30-4:30pm. Cost: $75. Includes supplies!

Create your own world of visual magic and beauty!

Create your own world of beauty with ever-changing designs. In this class you will select colorful treasures for your own unique oil-filled object cell, and complete your project in one session using individually turned, solid hardwood rings, an eyepiece, and a matching stand.

You will be able to choose from several real wood veneer barrels with detailed inlay.

Materials to bring: a shoebox and scissors.

Dean Franssell has been teaching kaleidoscope workshops for over 18 years, and has trained several individuals to become kaleidoscope instructors. He designs and creates all of the wooden kaleidoscope kits, and holds a teaching degree from the University of Minnesota.

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Introduction to Glass Fusing: or, Life After Dichroic
Saturday, August 23: 10am-4:30pm. Cost: $85 plus $30 supply fee

Come play with glass!

This is an easy, one day introduction to glass fusing. Make a pendant to take home and several cabochons for pins or magnets! Try out a bunch of different materials to make stunning pieces. You will learn about how glass behaves, and how to run a kiln for glass fusing. Participants will try several techniques, making small pieces suitable for jewelry, and analyze complex pieces to learn how to follow the steps to completion.

Each student gets a handout on safety and background information on glass with room for taking notes. The handout is covered on the first day with emphasis on the safety information.

The construction is as simple as stacking things up! The designing is where the fun comes in. Students will even learn about running a simple kiln.

Instructor Jennifer Wolcott has been teaching small-scale glass fusing, lampworking, and silversmithing for eight years. Prior to that she spent more than twenty years as an engineer in industry happily figuring out how to make printed circuits better-faster-smaller-tougher-more and figuring out what went wrong when they failed.

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One-of-a-Kind Silver Pendants and Earrings in a Day!
Saturday, September 27: 10am-3pm (one hour lunch break). Cost: $76. Includes all supplies!

Yes! You can make your own one-of-a-kind silver jewelry and wear it home the same day!

Learn how to use a material called Precious Metal Clay to create your own pendants, earrings or charms. Precious Metal Clay, often referred to as Precious Metal Clay (PMC) or Art Clay, is a revolutionary new material developed in Japan by Mitsubishi Materials. Metal Clay is made up of tiny particles of pure silver or gold which are suspended in a non-toxic organic binder to create a material that can be worked like modeling clay. The clay, in it’s unfired form, can be worked with the fingers and clay modeling tools to create a vast range of forms and surfaces that would be unattainable or laborious with traditional metalworking techniques.

After the clay has taken on the desired form, it is fired in a kiln at high temperatures to burn off the binder and fuse the metal. The result is a solid, 100% pure silver object. After firing, the solid metal can be sanded, soldered, colored and polished like conventional metal.

Have fun while learning how to work with the clay to make your own designs. After firing, you will learn how to polish your jewelry to bring out the beauty of the design. You'll have enough supplies to make at least 2 finished pendants and 2 pairs of earrings! So bring a friend or two and make it a creative day out!

Laurie Riekmann is a certified instructor of PMC. As always, in Laurie's classes you learn great tips and techniques in working with the material, use of all her tools and supplies and receive one-on-one instruction to help you create and go home with a one of a kind piece of jewelry.- Laurie Riekmann, Instructor. (www.froginthemoon.com)

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Encaustic Painting Workshop
Sat, September 20: 9am-3:30pm
Cost: $135 plus $29 supply fee

Hot Wax ::: Cool Art!

Experience the magic of an ancient art form! Encaustic is composed of beeswax, tree resin, and oil pigment, applied hot and fused to create a beautiful, translucent and striking surface. It was used 2500 years ago by the Egyptians to paint the famous mummy portraits and is being rediscovered by contemporary artists.

Ascension by Margaret Berry

Explore brushing, scraping, layering and pouring wax on a variety of supports. See how to combine encaustic with other mediums such as photography, printmaking and collage. Sensuous textures, lustrous depth, and the smell and feel of beeswax will convert you to this versatile and fascinating medium. All supplies are included! If you have a simple black and white or color photocopy of a photograph that you really want to use in a collage or photo encaustic work, feel free to bring it. Any size up to 8 1/2 x 11 will do. No experience is necessary to discover the vast creative potential of encaustic painting for you!

Instructor Margaret Berry returned to studio work after serving as Executive Director of the Arts Council and Education Director of the University Place Art Center, both in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Berry began painting in encaustic in 2003 after many years as a fiber artist. Encaustic is the oldest and most durable form of painting, used by the Egyptians to make mummy portraits and the Greeks to adorn and protect their ships. She combines local beeswax with oil pigments to make a hot paint. Some paintings also incorporate photos, objects and oil stick. In addition to serving as an artist-in-residence for the Nebraska Arts Council, she teaches encaustic workshops throughout the Midwest. Berry is a charter member of International Encaustic Artists and her work is featured this year in shows in New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, Iowa, Colorado and Nebraska.

Visit www.margaretberryart.com to see more of her work and to learn all about encaustic!!

 

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Concrete Sculpture Workshop
Sat, October 4: 10am-4pm
Sun, October 5: noon-4pm
Cost: $195 plus $35 supply fee

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. Once you’ve learned the basics, you can create benches, bird baths, planters, or any object of your own design!

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.

Susan Waughtal created this wonderful sculpture in the last concrete workshop
-Check out the wine bottle eyes!

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 at Portal Wisconsin:
Check out Riana's Mosaic Workshop to be held on November 8-9!

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Rosemaling Ornaments!
Sat-Sun,October 11-12: 9am-4pm both days.
Cost: $115 plus supply fee

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

Calling all rosemalers! A two-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.

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.

 

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Mosaic Workshop
Sat, November 8: 10am-4pm
Sun, November 9: 10am-2pm
Cost: $165 plus $25 supply fee

Learn the basic skills of Mosaic Tiling, materials and patterning 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! Students will learn how to cut and break glass and ceramic tile, what materials and adhesives to use for our subzero climate, and different mosaic patterning techniques. There will be a grouting demonstration, discussions on cement formulas, how to use pigments and ways to texture a cement surface!

Mosaic from Riana's sculpture garden

Materials list: an object to tile, such as a clay pot, vase, cookie jar, birdbath, or your sculpture from the concrete workshop! Please bring some TESSERAE (tile objects such as broken dishes, pebbles, buttons, mirrors, beads, shells, and the like), rubber/cloth gloves, old towels and rags.

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 at Portal Wisconsin:

 

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Open Studio - Life Drawing

image by Marta Biittner

“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.

Open Studio/Life Drawing sessions are held (usually) on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, from 1 to 4 pm. Live models, natural light, welcoming and creative setting.

$17 per session or $72 for 6. Includes model fee.
Upcoming sessions: July 6 & 20.

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Pottery, Pottery, Pottery Classes!

Beginning to Advanced Beginning Pottery Wheel!
Wednesday evenings, 6-8:30pm. May 21 - July 9 (skip June 25 & July 2)
$130/6 sessions plus $34 supplies, plus firing fees.

Join this pottery wheel class and let instructor Angela Foley take you to the creative place you either never knew existed or have been wanting to get back to! Wherever you are at, absolute beginner or advanced beginner, this class is small enough that you will get the personal one-on-one help you need to move further into pottery. Learn and refine your skills of centering, throwing & trimming on the potters wheel.

You'll receive your own Kemper Tool kit and clay to get you on your way.

Instructor Angela M. Foley is a full time professional potter and has been teaching the joys of hand-thrown pottery to people of all ages for eight years. She maintains a beautiful studio at the historic Anderson Center in Red Wing, Minnesota. Her graceful wheel-thrown vessels have the lush, figurative lines of classical forms. She continues to explore the partnership of line and curve in an ever-evolving vocabulary of profiles. Visit Angela's website!

 

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Beginning to Advanced Beginning Pottery Wheel!
Saturdays, noon-2:30pm. July 12 - Aug 16
$115/6 sessions plus $34 supplies, plus firing fees.

Join this pottery wheel class and let knowledgable instructors Lisa Gable and Emily Wartsbough take you to the creative place you either never knew existed or have been wanting to get back to! Wherever you are at, absolute beginner or advanced beginner, this class is small enough that you will get the personal one-on-one help you need to move further into pottery. Learn and refine your skills of centering, throwing & trimming on the potters wheel.

You'll receive your own Kemper Tool kit and clay to get you on your way.

 

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Advanced Pottery Wheel!
Wednesday evenings, 6-8:30pm. July 23- August 27
$145/6 sessions plus firing fees.

Dramatically improve your wheel-throwing technique!

In this intensive, six-session class with Angela Foley,
you will learn to polish your basic wheel-throwing skills,
refine your forms, and gain success at throwing the pot you want,
rather than having to settle for the pot you get.

You will learn many tips and techniques for the
advanced wheel thrower, including:

You will receive expert critiquing and encouragement, learn some new approaches, target your specific needs, and feel a renewed vigor for your craft.

Instructor Angela M. Foley is a professional potter who has maintained a beautiful studio at the historic Anderson Center in Red Wing, Minnesota for over ten years. She shows in regional juried art fairs, participates in the annual Studio Ramble in Red Wing, teaches workshops and classes, and pushes the boundaries of Raku firing at her parents' farm in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. Her graceful wheel-thrown vessels have the lush, figurative lines of classical forms. She continues to explore the partnership of line and curve in an ever-evolving vocabulary of profiles. Visit Angela's Website

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RAKU: OUT OF THE FIRE! Primitive Firing Workshop
Saturday, Nov 8: 9am-5pm
Sunday, Nov 9, 10am-5pm.
Cost: $189. Please bring a sack lunch!

A two-day intensive workshop for potters of all skill levels,
from the beginner to the very seasoned

Have you been intrigued by the dramatic effects of Raku or Sagger firing but have limited understanding of the process? Come spend a weekend with Raku artists Mark Lusardi and Angela Foley as they share their considerable knowledge of the Raku firing process that has been practiced and utilized for generations in Japan. Paul Soldner introduced this Japanese process to America in the 1950’s and, by accident, discovered the post reduction Raku that we are familiar with today. The effects of post reduction Raku finishes are fascinating and constantly evolving.

The workshop will focus on the art of the post reduction process as well as some new twists in which to decorate and fire your work. Participants will be provided with a wide variety of glazes and tools to finish their Raku Pieces, and are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the firing process.

The first day is designed for the workshop participants to learn and understand some of the glazing techniques that are indicative to Raku as well as some new approaches to help broaden the effects of the finished product. The second day will follow up on the steps taken during the previous day and a discussion on how to approach your pieces for further exploration. After glazing, an amazing, adventurous afternoon of firing will begin!

Scene from last year's Raku Workshop!

Learn more about Angela Foley

And learn more about Mark Lusardi

Supplies list:

(Small practice tiles will be provided.)
8 bisqued pots (Raku Clay Body)
Brushes for painting on glazes
Small bucket or dish for water
Sponge for clean up
Old magazines or newspapers for firing
-Wear natural fiber clothing (no polyester) and close-toed shoes, and bring lots of energy!

Want help preparing? Need more options?
Need Raku clay? Crossings' Clay studio is available for participants to prepare for this workshop.
Call Marie: 507-732-7616

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The Clay Studio
24 hour access to creativity

Crossings clay studio was created to allow clay artists and potters of all levels to explore their creativity and work in a supportive environment. The advantages of becoming a clay studio member are more than just access to equipment and workspace - you get to join a clay community where ideas, inspiration and laughter are generously shared. Above all, the most important thing is to have fun!

Great natural light space for working in clay, on the wheel or hand-building.

Membership Benefits:
24 hours, 7 days a week access to a bright studio space equipped with 8 electric pottery wheels; wedging table and extruder; on-site kiln firing and access to studio glazes and studio tools; personal shelf space, plus the opportunity to display work for sale in our gallery and to participate in two annual sales: Art in East Park in June, and Crossings' Annual Open House in November! View last year's Holiday Art Fair/Open House information here!

Full one year studio membership $55/month (students $45/month) plus a one-time refundable security deposit of $100.

3-month summer memberships now available!

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Body-Mind-Spirit Classes:

Hatha Yoga
Tuesdays: 6:15-7:15pm.
May 20 through August 26. 15 sessions!
Get a Yoga Pass! Choose any 8 sessions out of the 15 for $80!* (Additional classes are still just $10.)
Drop-ins are fine! $12 per class. Call to reserve space.

Treat your mind and body to a series of yoga classes that will promote the wellness you need with instructors Connie Myran and Julie Peterson.

Yoga classes are designed to help you increase flexibility, improve posture, develop strength, reduce stress and promote physical and emotional well-being. They emphasize proper breathing, which is important in performing yoga postures and essential for managing stress.

You know your body better than anyone else, so you will focus on listening to and honoring the communication your body gives you, whether it says to work the stretch more deeply, to proceed cautiously, to rest, or not to do the position at all. This approach increases awareness of your body and its limits and permits individuals of various skill levels—including beginners—to participate comfortably in the same class. Students will learn a variety of poses and techniques over the course of classes.

Here's the summer schedule:
May 20: Essential Poses
May 27: Energy Building
June 3: Yoga for Golfers
June 10: Stress Relief
June 17: Hip/Hamstring Flex
June 24: Astanga
July 1: Balance Practice
July 8: Essential Poses
July 15:Stress Relief
July 22: Shoulder/Upper Body Flex
July 29: Astanga
Aug 5: Hip/Hamstring Flex
Aug 12: Core Work
Aug 19: Moms & Kids (kids free)
Aug 26: Astanga

 

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Writing Classes:

Discovering Your Characters
Saturday, July 26; 9am-noon. $35

We all know that characters are the foundation for fiction: the distinguishing factor of good fiction is whether our readers invest in our characters, come to get to know them, and start to breathe with them.

In this workshop, we will use a plethora of exercises designed to explore your character's history and motivations. Then, we will put them in action. This is workshop is best suited for any fiction writer who is trying to make their characters more real or more compelling. Please come with a character in mind and plan on leaving with a host of exercises that you can use time and again.

Instructor Swati Avasthi received her B.A. from the University of Chicago and currently is studying for her MFA at the University of Minnesota. Her work has or will appear in numerous publications, including The Portland Review, Water~Stone Review, and Special Gifts (Wyatt-Mackenzie, 2007). She has received a Loft's Mentor Series Award, a Marcella DeBourg Fellowship, and her fiction has been nominated for The Best New American Writers, 2009. She lives with her riotously funny family - two large dogs, two small kids, and one (but worth two) husband(s) in Minneapolis.

 

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Poetry Writing: Visually Literal....Literally Visual!
Wednesday, August 27; 6-9pm. $35

Just in time to prepare for the October Poetography exhibition!

If you like to write -- and have an appreciation for visual art as well, this class will free your creative spirit. We'll get inspiration from master poets such as Todd Boss, Gaylord Brewer and Mary Oliver, and we'll use a variety of writing activities to create authentic poems. A successful poem is one that includes both heart and craft, and we will focus on both of these in our writing. We will consider image, metaphor, line breaks, stanzas, action, form, editing, finishing and starting again. Instructor Linda Back McKay will offer ideas for how and where to get your poems published as well as responses to your individual poems.

Instructor Linda Back McKay is a Minneapolis poet, author and teaching artist. Her books include Shadow Mothers: Stories of Adoption and Reunion (Nonfiction, North Star Press), Choppers: Ride. Drive. Fly. (Nonfiction for Youth, Motorbooks International/MBI Publishing), Ride That Full Tilt Boogie (Poetry, North Star Press) and her newly published book of poems and photographs, The Cockeyed Precision of Time (White Space Press.) Linda is an instructor at the Loft Literary Center and is on several teaching rosters including VSA arts of Minnesota, a group that brings the arts to people with disabilities. She has received several awards and honors including two residencies at the Anderson Center in Red Wing.

Click here to read the Poetography call for writers!

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Mystery Writing is Murder: Learning the Tricks of the Trade
Saturday, September 27; 9am-noon. $35

Have you ever wanted to write a mystery? Do you have an idea you've been tossing around? If so, this overview workshop is for you.

Award-winning author, Ellen Hart, will cover the relevant topics! These will range from:
-"The Hook" in crime fiction
- to outline or not to outline
- basic premise
- finding your way into the story
- dramatic structure, and
- how to build strong, believable characters.

Bring pen and paper for stimulating in-class writing exercises.

Instructor Ellen Hart has written twenty-four crime novels in two different series. She is a five-time winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Best Lesbian Mystery, as well as a three-time winner of the Minnesota Book Award for Best Popular Fiction. For the last eleven years, Ellen has taught a twelve week class, An Introduction to Writing the Modern Mystery through the The Loft Literary Center, the largest independent writing community in the nation. Her newest novels are No Reservations Required, A Sophie Greenway Mystery (June 2005) and The Mortal Groove, A Jane Lawless Mystery, (December 2007). Sweet Poison, the sixteenth Jane Lawless mystery, will be released in November of 2008. Ellen lives in Minneapolis with her partner of 30 years.

 

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Musical Instruction:

Fiddle Lessons:
Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm; call to set up time.
$15 per half-hour private weekly lesson, paid monthly. Requires two-month commitment

If you have ever wanted to learn the fiddle, now's the time. Lessons are now starting at Crossings with local musician Monica Nigon. Styles to be taught range from beginning classical, beginning to intermediate bluegrass, and beginning to advanced Celtic. Whatever the student wants to learn will be the focus of these lessons. The thirty minutes will include bowing techniques, proper playing positions, and stylistic repertoire.

For three years, Monica has been playing Celtic and bluegrass fiddling music in local bands including The Back Porch Band, The Sunday Nighters, and the Bitter Creek Band. She has played the fiddle for almost 12 years, beginning with the Suzuki Method of classical music at age four. Now she plays mostly up-beat Celtic and Bluegrass repertoire.

Crossings' music instruction FAQ's

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

$16 per half-hour private weekly lesson, paid monthly. Requires two-month commitment. 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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