Community Calendar

Join instructor Jenny Clark for an exploration of the natural world through pressed botanicals. Jenny will provide an assortment of floral and foliar specimens already pressed and dried, to be artfully arranged in framed artworks. As every flower is unique, so are the resulting artworks. Students will be guided in best practices for pressing their own botanicals to continue their journey in this medium. Gardening and nature enthusiasts will be delighted to have beautiful works of art displaying the intricate details and vibrant colors of the natural world preserved in glass. All supplies are provided.

This workshop will be held from 1-3 pm on Saturday, May 24, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: 16 and up

The Wheatland Music Organization's 37th Annual Traditional Arts Weekend will be May 23–25, 2025, at the Wheatland Festival grounds near Remus, Michigan. This event offers more than 80 workshops focusing on traditional dance, music, crafts, vocal, and instrument instruction. Traditional Arts Weekend includes workshops in music (ex. fiddle, dulcimer, guitar, ukulele), dance (ex. swing, clogging, contra), crafts (ex. quilting, soap-making, watercolor), and vocal arts (ex. harmony singing, folk songs). There are also children's activities like tie-dyeing, puppet theater, flower fairies, and more. For a complete list of workshops and more information please visit wheatlandmusic.org and click - Events - Traditional Arts Weekend.
Primitive camping is available free of charge for participants on-site. This year we will have two food trucks: Weidman Lions and You Chill We Grill. Sassy Ca Coffee Trailer will serve beverages. The weekend also features evening dances and a silent auction. This family-friendly event is ideal for those seeking to learn more and engage with traditional arts and music.
Notably, no pre-registration is required for workshops. Purchase day or weekend passes on wheatlandmusic.org or call (989) 967-8879. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the Gatehouse upon entry to the Wheatland Grounds.

Join writing instructor Cheryl Meyer, this 3-week journey of self-discovery through the art of memoir writing. This course will equip you with the essential tools, techniques, and guidance necessary to craft a powerful memoir. This class offers a supportive and inspiring environment to delve into the depths of your memories and transform them into compelling narratives.

By the end of the series, you will be equipped with the tools to continue your writing practice beyond the workshop. Whether you aspire to publish your memoir or simply want to preserve your memories for yourself and your loved ones, this class will empower you to embark on an exciting writing adventure that will leave a lasting legacy.

This 3 week course will be held weekly from 5:30-7:30 pm, Tuesday, May 27-June 10, in the Brannan Family Meeting Room at 111 E. Broadway, Mount Pleasant, MI.

Note: No prior writing experience is necessary to participate in this class! All levels of writers, from beginners to advanced, are welcome to join and explore the art of memoir writing.

Recommended age: 16 and up

Club Create is a Michigan Arts Access program for adults with disabilities. Club Create provides opportunities for adults with disabilities to have hands-on experiences in the arts provided by professional artists. Club members participate in an art experience at each meeting, as well as have time to socialize with other club members. Club Create of Mid Michigan meets 10-11:30 am on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Caregivers are welcome to participate as well.

Club Create of Mid Michigan members will meet from 10-11:30 am, Wednesday, May 28, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

The 1842 historic Dougherty Mission House built by Rev. Peter Dougherty, Chief Agosa, the Ottawa and Chippewa opens for tours on Wednesday, June 12th Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11am until 4pm. Tour the former Inn where the fruit industry began in the Traverse City region.
Discover the ties to the Old Mission Peninsula Lighthouse while you tour the house, summer kitchen, carriage shed, icehouse, and demonstration garden. See the new Old Mission Agricultural Heritage exhibit where Old Mission Peninsula earned its name.

Join instructor Tanya Ehrsam to learn the timeless art of cable knitting while creating practical and beautiful dishcloths as practice. Perfect for knitters of all skill levels, this course will teach you how to master the technique of cable knitting, allowing you to add texture and dimension to your projects.

In this 3-week course, you'll start by learning the basics of knitting, including cast-on and bind-off techniques, before diving into the intricacies of cable stitches. Over the three sessions, you'll gain a solid understanding of how to work cables and incorporate them into your dishcloth design. Whether you're looking to add texture to your knitted items or simply want a fun and relaxing project, this class is a great way to expand your crafting abilities while creating beautiful and functional pieces perfect to use at home or give as a gift to loved ones.

This course will be held from 5:30-8 pm on Wednesdays, May 14-28, in the Brannan Family Meeting Room at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Recommended age: 16 and up

Explore the rich, tactile world of cold wax painting in this course designed for artists of all levels. Instructor Judith Steffke will guide you in utilizing oil paint and cold wax medium to create layered, expressive, and deeply textured artworks. Cold wax is a soft, buttery medium that mixes with oil paint to create a matte, velvety finish and allows for endless experimentation with layering, mark-making, and surface manipulation. This class is all about process and exploration and is suitable for abstract or representative artwork. All supplies provided.

This 4-week course will be held from 1-4 pm on Thursdays, May 22-June 12, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended ages: Adults only

Brews & Brushes is the perfect way to unwind, get creative, and enjoy a fun evening out. This monthly acrylic painting class is led by Brenda O’Brien, who provides step-by-step instructions to help you create a beautiful 16x20 masterpiece, no matter your skill level. Bring your favorite beverage, invite a friend, and let your imagination flow! We provide all the supplies you need—just come ready to paint and leave with a finished work of art. Brews & Brushes is a great way to explore your artistic side in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

This class will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 pm Thursday, May 29, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended for adults 21+

Artists of all skill levels are invited to join instructor Cheryl Meyer for a four-week watercolor techniques course. Whether you are a beginner or intermediate watercolorist, you will explore a variety of methods to improve your watercolor proficiency and create vibrant and dynamic artworks. Expect to explore wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, gradient washes, and dry brushing. You will learn how to manipulate the flow of water and pigment to achieve stunning textures, tones, and effects. The course also covers the importance of composition, color theory, and layering to add depth and dimension to your pieces. If you have preferred brushes and watercolors, you are welcome to bring them, however, all supplies will be provided.

This course will be held from 2-4 pm, on Friday, May 9-30 in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended for: 16 and up

Art Reach of Mid Michigan is excited to host our Arts Market from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday, May 31, 2025, with artist set-up beginning at 8:30 am. In the event of rain, the market will be held on Sunday, June 1.

This special event is a fundraising effort led by the Art Reach Teen Advisory Group (TAG) to support arts programming and leadership opportunities for teens in our community.

Artists 12 and up are invited to participate. A 10’ x 10’ space is available for $20, and a 20’ x 10’ space is available for $40. This is a great opportunity for makers, artists, and entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their creations while gaining real-world experience as vendors. Whether you're offering handmade goods, original artwork, or baked treats, we welcome your creativity!

To register, we’ll collect your name, phone number, email address, mailing address, age, and—for participants under 13—parent or guardian contact information. You’ll also be asked to describe the type of items you plan to sell.

*Please note that food items must comply with Michigan’s Cottage Food Law.

This event will occur simultaneously with our annual Paint the Pavement event. Join us for a fun and inspiring day celebrating youth talent and creativity while supporting a great cause!