CANCELLED - Painting ROCKS!
2023-02-25 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Detroit) | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Rock Painting Class (adults & teens)
Using a rock as your “canvas”, learn to paint a nature scene with acrylic paint! Guest artist Karen Mazzoline will demonstrate some tips and tricks for painting on this particular surface. You can use your creation as a paperweight or a part of your home decor!
Class size is limited. Class fee: $40
Click here to REGISTER ONLINE

About K&M Artistry
K & M Artistry is the mother/daughter team of Karen and Marissa Mazzoline. The Mazzolines have lived in northern Michigan since 1995 and they continue to enjoy its natural and wondrous beauty! Sharing a passion for creating, Karen and Marissa offer a variety of unique skills including painting, drawing, felting, and jewelry making! Marissa and Karen love meeting new people and making connections with those that they teach! They look forward to sharing their love of art with you in Hessel!

Write On Sunday
2023-02-26 14:30 - 16:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
You’ve made a resolution to exercise your body and stay in shape, but what about your mind? Clear your head and open your mind to a fun experience in short-form creative writing the last Sunday of each month. Release your inner critic and follow your inspiration. Nothing to bring but pen, paper and who you really are.
Simple writing prompts will ignite your imagination and get your creative juices flowing. Then you will follow your own creative instincts in this short form creative writing exercise that takes approximately 1 hour from start to finish. There will be no teaching or critiquing. This is just writing for your own enjoyment. Each meeting is a new adventure and you will be amazed to see the multitude of perspectives that all began with the same pebble of inspiration.
Writers of all skill levels are welcome, whether you’re a published author or just a beginner.
There is no fee to attend, but please register online so we can plan accordingly.

CANCELLED - Whimsical Painting
2023-03-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Let your creativity blossom as you create a whimsical flower painting with an inspirational phrase worthy of framing. Cheryl Gordon will lead you through the steps to paint your piece, then choose from a few different words or phrases to personalize your artwork. All materials included. No painting experience needed for this fun and carefree painting.
Class Min: 4/ Class Max. 12
Class Fee: $40
Pre-registration is required. Space is limited.
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/547794687657

Example of Painting Style

CANCELLED - Intro to Paper Quilling
2023-03-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Join Kristy Beyer as she walks you through he basics of paper quilling – the art of curling and shaping strips of paper to form beautiful designs. Participants will learn the different basic shapes of quilling to form flowers, leaves, and stems, then put them together to create their own original piece of artwork. All materials are included.
Class min. 4 / max. 12
Class Fee: $30
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/547823513877

Irish Jig Puzzle Palooza
2023-03-14 06:00 - 20:30 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Love to do puzzles? Feeling lucky? We’ll grab your friends and join us for Puzzle Palooza ~ a fun evening of puzzling and prizes for a good cause! Teams of four will compete against each other to complete a 500 pc. jigsaw puzzle. Teams that finish the fastest win prizes! A special prize for the best dressed Irish themed team as well. Snacks, coffee and water will be provided. We won’t be serving green beer, but feel free to bring your own beverage if you like. It’s going to be loads of fun! Limited space is available. Don’t miss out on the camaraderie and competition.
$25.00 per person or $80.00 per 4-person team ($20.00/person*). If you don’t have a team, then we will match you up with other single players so you can make a few new friends. Hope to see you there!
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/555839098707
* In order to get the team rate, all 4 players must be registered under one name at the same time.
This is a fundraiser for Hessel School House’s writers program.

Pysanky: Traditional Ukrainian Egg Decorating Class
2023-03-18 09:00 - 15:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
The start of spring means that Easter is on the horizon, which for many people means one thing—it’s time to start decorating eggs. In Ukraine, Easter egg decorating is an important art form that dates back centuries. Known as pysanky, these beautiful and intricately patterned eggs are decorated using the wax-resist (batik) method creating stunning motifs.
Come learn this traditional art form with artists Anthony and Gretchen Jones at Hessel School House, Saturday, March 18, 2023.
TWO OPTIONS OFFERED: Please be sure to register for the one you want to take.
Option 1: Beginners class from 9:00 a.m. – Noon – $35 per student
Option 2: Advanced class will be held 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – $45 per student.
The advanced class includes all beginners instructions and allows for additional time to apply multiple colors and detailing. Both classes will be held simultaneously. Registration fee includes hands-on instruction to create your egg, supplies, your own kitska (tool), dyes, and wax to take home. Space is limited.
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/547871246647
At the request of the instructors, the proceeds from the class will support Impacto, a mission organization in helping families dealing with poverty and violence in Guatemala.

Watercolor Seascape - Adult Painting Class
2023-03-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
WATERCOLOR PAINTING CLASS
With the season of spring approaching and visions of summer begin to swirl in your head, learn to create a beautiful seascape in watercolor! Guest artist Karen Mazzoline will share some techniques that will give you the confidence you need in working with this medium. Come on out an enjoy an afternoon of painting!
Class size is limited so register online early.
$45.00 per student. All materials are included.
Click here to REGISTER ONLINE

About the Artists
K & M Artistry is the mother/daughter team of Karen and Marissa Mazzoline. The Mazzolines have lived in northern Michigan since 1995 and they continue to enjoy its natural and wondrous beauty! Sharing a passion for creating, Karen and Marissa offer a variety of unique skills including painting, drawing, felting, and jewelry making! Marissa and Karen love meeting new people and making connections with those that they teach! They look forward to sharing their love of art with you in Hessel!

Discover Michigan's Magnificent Mammals
2023-03-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
About 60 species of terrestrial mammals live in Michigan, including bear, elk, and fox. We will have an extensive collection of pelts and skulls for students to touch and compare as we explore the adaptations of some of Michigan’s magnificent mammals. Our science and nature lesson will be followed by a nature inspired art project. Fun for the whole family. Limited space is available for this hands-on, family friendly experience. Register early.
$5.00 per person
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/547944927027

Write On Sunday
2023-03-26 14:30 - 16:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Clear your head and open your mind to a fun experience in short-form creative writing the last Sunday of each month. Release your inner critic and follow your inspiration. Nothing to bring but pen, paper and who you really are.
Simple writing prompts will ignite your imagination and get your creative juices flowing. Then you will follow your own creative instincts in this short form creative writing exercise that takes approximately 1 hour from start to finish. There will be no teaching or critiquing. This is just writing for your own enjoyment. Each meeting is a new adventure and you will be amazed to see the multitude of perspectives that all began with the same pebble of inspiration.
Writers of all skill levels are welcome, whether you’re a published author or just a beginner.
There is no fee to attend, but please register online so we can plan accordingly.

Paint Like Van Gogh
2023-03-29 09:30 - 12:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Learn to paint in a style similar to Van Gogh. In this class we’re going to go through the steps of developing a painting – The Starry Night – from start to finish and also try and give it a hint of the great master, Vincent Van Gogh. This class is designed for teens and adults. All materials and instruction provided.
Class Size: min. 4 / max. 10
Class Fee: $30.00
Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/547926612247

Rag Rug Weaving (2 session class)
2023-04-15 09:30 - 12:00, 2023-04-22 09:30 - 12:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Rag rug making is a centuries old craft with unlimited opportunities for experimentation and self-expression. The tactile quality of simple loom weaving is particularly aesthetic and creative. In this class, Cheryl Gordon you will provide each student with a loom, teach them how to prepare a variety of “rag” scrap fabrics for a custom weaving experience, and teach them how to weave a beautiful and functional rug approximately 30″ x 45″ in size. The objective of this course is to provide students with the necessary skills and materials to confidently leave the classroom and create future rugs using this technique.
This class is two sessions : April 15 and April 22 from 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Class Fee: $75 (include loom, materials, and 2 days of instruction)
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/547972629887

Drawing 101 (2 session class)
2023-04-15 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-04-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Drawing 101
2 Sessions: April 15 and 29 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Drawing 101 is designed for beginner artists who have an interest in learning how to draw or sketch — or simply want to improve their skills. It covers the tools you’ll need to draw and also provides plenty of exercises to practice drawing using different techniques and styles. It also covers drawing people, places, and objects.
During this two session workshop you will learn about the tools used to draw, values, shading, textures and how to create them, and incorporate them to draw people, landscapes, animals, flowers and trees. You will also have the opportunity to share your amazing drawing creations in class to receive useful feedback. While you won’t walk away a master artist after you’ve finish the workshop, you will have the knowledge and training you need to continue to draw and bring the scenes you see in your daily life to paper.
This class is geared to adults but teens are welcome to attend. Materials are included, but feel free to bring your own supplies if you like.
Class Fee: $65.00 (includes both sessions and supplies)
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/548018527167
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Karen Mazzoline is a newly retired art/music teacher from the Public Schools of Petoskey. She has lived in northern Michigan since 1995 and considers this area the “best place to be”! Karen’s passion for drawing started when she was young and developed her skills through college, post-graduate classes, and personal experimentation. Mrs. Mazzoline’s approach to teaching this class is simple: she will give you the basic tools to develop and strengthen your drawing skill set and will encourage and support you through the artistic process!

Rag Rug Weaving (2 session class)
2023-04-22 09:30 - 12:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Rag rug making is a centuries old craft with unlimited opportunities for experimentation and self-expression. The tactile quality of simple loom weaving is particularly aesthetic and creative. In this class, Cheryl Gordon you will provide each student with a loom, teach them how to prepare a variety of “rag” scrap fabrics for a custom weaving experience, and teach them how to weave a beautiful and functional rug approximately 30″ x 45″ in size. The objective of this course is to provide students with the necessary skills and materials to confidently leave the classroom and create future rugs using this technique.
This class is two sessions : August 14 and August 16 from 1:00 – 3:30 PM
Class Fee: $85 (include loom, materials, and 2 days of instruction)
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/568183651597

Write On Sunday
2023-04-30 14:30 - 16:00 | MI
NEW FOR 2023! You’ve made a resolution to exercise your body and stay in shape, but what about your mind? Clear your head and open your mind to a fun experience in short-form creative writing the last Sunday of each month. Release your inner critic and follow your inspiration. Nothing to bring but pen, paper and who you really are.
Simple writing prompts will ignite your imagination and get your creative juices flowing. Then you will follow your own creative instincts in this short form creative writing exercise that takes approximately 1 hour from start to finish. There will be no teaching or critiquing. This is just writing for your own enjoyment. Each meeting is a new adventure and you will be amazed to see the multitude of perspectives that all began with the same pebble of inspiration.
Writers of all skill levels are welcome, whether you’re a published author or just a beginner.
There is no fee to attend, but please register online so we can plan accordingly.

Intro To Embroidery - Bookmark
2023-05-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Embroidery is a beautiful meditative craft that allows you to express yourself by making something truly unique. During this class, instructor Carolyn Wilson will teach you the basics of embroidery while you create a unique and useful bookmark to use for your winter reading. All materials are included.
Class fee is $30 per person. Teens and adults welcome.
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/548050151757

Mosaic Welcome Signs (Adult Art Class)
2023-05-13 09:30 - 12:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
During this class participants will create a lovely sign from barn wood with letters made from multi-colored tiny tiles or broken glass and caulk. Another option would be to do your family name in tiles. What a lovely sign to have greet your guests this summer or to give as a gift. All materials are included.
Class Fee: $45.00
Class Size: Min. 4 / Max. 10
Pre-registration is required to attend.
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/567240881747

Lego Mural Workshop for Kids
2023-05-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
SOLD OUT!
Award winning LEGO artist Sharon Vance will teach children ages 8 – 14 to create a work of art using simple 1×1 LEGO building blocks. All materials are supplied and the students will get to take home their one-of-a-kind piece of art. Space is limited for this workshop, so register online early.
Class Fee: $20 per student – This event is SOLD OUT.
To add your name to the waiting list, please go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/608705694117

This class is offered at a discount thanks to a grant from the Les Cheneaux Community Foundation. Additional support for this program provided in part by Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Sharon Vance is a Lego artist specializing in freehand original mosaics. Sharon, a former Chemistry Professor now disabled with an extremely rare disease, creates original art pieces that speak of her love of nature and fantasy and hopes that her work inspires others to explore their own creative potential no matter what medium they choose.

Family Nature Exploration: All About Birds
2023-05-21 15:00 - 17:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
You can learn a lot about birds just by looking at their many unique features. During this fun family friendly time of exploration, we will take a closer look at birds, their adaptations, and even make a bird friendly art project. All materials are included. Space is limited and usually fills quickly. Register today! $5.00 per person.
To register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/626434962837

This class is offered at a discount thanks to funding from the Americana Foundation. Additional support provided by the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the Endowment for the Arts.

NO Write On Sunday (due to holiday weekend)
2023-05-28 15:00 - 16:30 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Due to the holiday weekend we will not be hosting a Write on Sunday event. See you on Sunday, June 25th at 3:00 PM.

Drop-In Art Projects for Kids!
2023-06-03 10:00 - 15:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
In celebration of Aldo Leopold, children of all ages are welcome to join us for some fun nature related crafts on Saturday, June 3.
Enjoy stick painting with Sue Bakkila from 10:00 – Noon. Brighten up any room, garden, or hike with your own custom painted stick. Sticks and all materials are included. Available while sticks and supplies lasts.
Between 1:00-3:00 PM come learn how to do block printing, fish and leaf prints, or create a nature journal to keep all of your nature observations in. These classes will take place in the outdoor classroom on the storybook trail (weather permitting).
A festival pass is not required for these FREE family fun events. Donations are appreciated to help offset the costs of the materials.

Birdwatching 101 with Jamie Platt
2023-06-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Birdwatching 101
In this class you will learn the basics of birding such as optics, field guides, birding technology, predicting migratory flights using weather and radar, attracting birds to your yard, and the where, when and how to find and identify birds. Avid ornithologist, Jamie Pratt will provide everything you need to know to get started on this fun and exciting pastime!
Class Size: Min. 6 / Max. 20
Class Fee: $20
Pre-registration is required for this special presentation.
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/568650437767

Jamie Platt is an alumni of Northern Michigan University where he graduated with a degree in Zoology. He has taught or lectured at Washtenaw Community College, Monroe County Community College, Schoolcraft College and the Ann Arbor Adult Education program. He is also the founder of Hell’s Birders, a birding organization based in Ann Arbor.

Birds In The Arts
2023-06-07 10:00 - 11:30 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
This class will examine the role birds have played in film, literature and painting. We will talk about the history of birds in art, such as John James Audubon’s Birds of America, but will also explore how birds have been used to convey ideas, themes and even hidden messages in everything from modern films, such as Twilight, to the art works of Hieronymus Bosch and Diego Rivera.
No fee to attend. Donations at the door are appreciated.
If you plan to attend, please pre-register online so we may plan accordingly.
___________________________________________________________
Jamie Platt is an alumni of Northern Michigan University where he graduated with a degree in Zoology. He has taught or lectured at Washtenaw Community College, Monroe County Community College, Schoolcraft College and the Ann Arbor Adult Education program. He is also the founder of Hell’s Birders, a birding organization based in Ann Arbor.

Adult Painting Class - Sandhill Crane
2023-06-07 14:00 - 16:30 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Create an acrylic painting that looks like you used watercolor. Starting with some simple techniques, we will work though painting a sandhill crane on heavy watercolor. Cheryl Gordon will provide instruction through the process.
Class Fee: $45.00
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/568177583447

CANCELLED - Creative Mending
2023-06-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Creative Mending is a great way to cultivate your inner artisan by mending your favorite items with a bit of fun and flair. It’s also a way to care for our textiles, the people we love, and our planet. Everyone is welcome, from beginners who have never sewn a stitch before to experienced fiber artists looking for more ways to extend the life of their handmade garments! Instructor Carolyn Wilson will walk you through beautiful stitching from simple to invisible.
No experience (or sewing machine) necessary. You will learn mainly hand sewing and crafting techniques. Feel free to bring an item or two to mend in class. Class fee: $30

CANCELLED - Family Nature Exploration: What's a Watershed
2023-06-11 15:00 - 17:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Did you know you live in a watershed? What is a watershed? Come learn about your local watershed and explore how your daily activities within it can impact the health of our lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. Join Ms. Kristy as we conduct a science experiment or two to help us understand what a watershed is and how we can keep it heathy. Afterwards we will do a topic related art project with Mrs. Gordon. All materials are included. Space is limited so register early.
Class Fee: $5.00 per person.
This class is offered at a discount thanks to a grant from The Americana Foundation. Additional support provided by Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
This class was cancelled.

Make It On Monday - Decorative Birdhouse
2023-06-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Join us on Monday’s through out the summer for Make It On Monday!
Using twigs, stone, glass pieces, and found objects you will create a unique, one-of-a-kind birdhouse. Adults and teens are welcome to attend. $15 per person includes all materials. 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Class size is limited, please pre-register online so we can plan accordingly.
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/567160230517

Watercolor Basics (2-session class)
2023-06-13 10:00 - 12:30 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Become a more confident watercolor artist!
Watercolor can be a tricky medium to work with because of its unpredictability. However, with some tips, tricks, and techniques, you can become a more confident watercolor artist! During the first session, artist Karen Mazzoline will cover the basics of watercolor and how to work with its properties to create beautiful artwork! The second session she will focus on the many techniques that are available in watercolor to develop your paintings and give them more depth. Materials will be provided, but if you prefer to bring your own watercolors, that is fine! Come and enjoy working in watercolor!
This 2-session class will take place on June 13 and June 20 from 10 AM – 12:30 PM
Class Fee: $60 – includes both days of instruction and all materials needed for class.
Space is limited.
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/594077601097

Make It On Monday - Paper Quilling
2023-06-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Join us on Monday’s through out the summer for Make It On Monday!
Participants will learn the different basic shapes of quilling to form flowers, leaves, and stems, then put them together to create their own original piece of art. Instruction provided by Kristy Beyer. Adults and teens are welcome to attend. $15 per person includes all materials. 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Class size is limited, please pre-register online so we can plan accordingly.
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/56717994949
