Seminars, Lectures and Classes
Acrylic Paint Class
Northern Exposure Art presents this paint class in which participants follow along with step-by-step instruction to create “Walk in the Woods.” All materials to paint are provided and no experience is necessary. Snacks and beverages are welcome.
Northern Exposure Art’s studio is in the Enger Lofts Marketplace.
To reserve a spot visit northernexposureart.com.
GED or Diploma Classes
Free classes for people who wish to earn a general education development certificate or diploma from Duluth Public Schools. Registration takes place every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. and takes approximately three hours to complete. Classes are also available online.
Acrylic Paint Class
Northern Exposure Art presents this paint class in which participants follow along with step-by-step instruction to create “Evening Lily Pads.” All materials to paint are provided and no experience is necessary. Snacks and beverages are welcome.
Northern Exposure Art’s studio is in the Enger Lofts Marketplace.
To reserve a spot visit northernexposureart.com.
LLO Science on Deck
Scientists and staff of the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Large Lakes Observatory invite the community to board and tour the Blue Heron research vessel on the Duluth Harbor at Pier B Resort. The Science on Deck event is free and runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tours are provided by scientists, crew and students to provide an overview of the R/V Blue Heron’s layout and research capabilities.
At 1:30 p.m. LLO Director Dr. Catherine O’Reilly gives a presentation titled “Underwater Soundscapes.”
The Blue Heron is part of the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System and is chartered by research scientists to explore any of the Great Lakes. For more info visit scse.d.umn.edu.
Pollinator Powerhouse 2026
Carlton Soil and Water Conservation District hosts its seventh annual Pollinator Powerhouse event celebrating National Pollinator Month. The event includes children’s activities, lawn games, pollinator merchandise, food trucks and music. A coloring contest for children 10 and under offers prizes. Local vendors are available to peruse and Carlton SWCD hosts Conservation Talks on local natural resource conservation objectives and opportunities for landowners to access technical and financial conservation support.
The event serves as the location for the Carlton SWCD Native Plant and Seed Mix Sale order pick up. The last day to order plant kits and seed in this sale is June 14.
Tote Bag Painting
Northern Exposure Art presents this paint class in which participants follow along with step-by-step instructions to create a tote bag. All materials to paint are provided and no experience is necessary. Snacks and beverages are welcome.
Northern Exposure Art’s studio is in the Enger Lofts Marketplace.
To reserve a spot visit northernexposureart.com.
Acrylic Paint Class
Northern Exposure Art presents this paint class in which participants follow along with step-by-step instruction to create “Glow in the Dark Fireflies.” All materials to paint are provided and no experience is necessary. Snacks and beverages are welcome.
Northern Exposure Art’s studio is in the Enger Lofts Marketplace.
To reserve a spot visit northernexposureart.com.
GED or Diploma Classes
Registration for new students takes place every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. and takes approximately three hours to complete. After registration, students put together their own independent schedule — classes, independent study, online, in person, daytime or evening. The program is highly individualized and customized.
Twin Ports Genealogical Society Meeting
The Twin Ports Genealogical Society has been assisting family history enthusiasts since 1971. Meeting attendees can learn tips for tracing a family tree.
GED or Diploma Classes
Registration for new students takes place every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. and takes approximately three hours to complete. After registration, students put together their own independent schedule — classes, independent study, online, in person, daytime or evening. The program is highly individualized and customized.
The Golden Ticket: A Celebration of Aging Carnival
A celebration of growing older with joy and laughter during which attendees can enjoy games, health and wellness activities, a classic car show, live entertainment, food trucks, educational speakers, bingo and more. Presented by The Northland Aging Care Network.
Registration for the free event is available at eventbrite.com.
Poetry as Practice: A North Shore Poetry Workshop Series
This series, taught by author, Chelsea B. DesAutels, is a set of three day-long writing workshops in Duluth and Two Harbors. utilizing the idea that the more we practice what we love—hiking, cooking, reading—the more we learn from it. Participants will practice writing poetry together and see what it has to teach as writers and beyond. Expect to leave with several new drafts and a larger poetry community.
This workshop is designed for seasoned and brand-new writers alike. No experience necessary. The series is made possible by a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. There is no fee to attend.
Poetry as Practice consists of three workshops: May 30 (Duluth), July 10 (Two Harbors) and September 19 (Duluth). Register for one or all three. Each workshop will contain fresh material and prompts.
Registration is available at chelseabdesautels.com.
Fix-it Clinic
Whether it’s cracked, torn, stained, missing a piece or just not working properly, broken things can be made good as new with the right skills and tools. WLSSD has partnered with Duluth Folk School and Duluth Makerspace to host regular events where people can learn how to fix their stuff. Volunteers specialize in a variety of repair skills, including electronics and small appliances, woodworking and furniture, watches and jewelry, clothing and upholstery, sports and outdoor gear, ceramics, artwork and more.
People can sign up in advance to be paired with a skilled volunteer or volunteer their skills to help fix other folks’ stuff. For more information or to register visit wlssd.com/fix-it or call 218-722-3336. Walk-ins are welcome but not guaranteed a time slot.
Fix-it clinics are held on the second Saturday of alternating months.
Sax-Zim Bog Fungi Foray and Workshop
This experiential course presented by Ariel Bonkoski, mushroom ID expert, author and owner of Ariel’s Mushroom Co.will consist of an indoor and outdoor portion. The goal of the course is to introduce the fundamentals of mushroom foraging, including edible mushrooms, toxic mushrooms and identifications. Inside, participants begin to build identification skills and foundational information needed to recognize important regional mushroom species. Then everyone heads outdoors to exercise newly found skills and see a few mushroom species to practice those skills through the Sax-Zim Bog.
This course is open to all experience levels and for ages 16 and up. Plan on bringing a lunch, water, note taking materials and appropriate footwear. Much of our time will be spent on boardwalks or trails, with the potential for off-trail exploration into the Bog. Dress for both indoor and outdoor time. Additionally, bring along a basket or mesh bag to forage mushrooms during the class.
Registration is required at saxzim.org. Registrants meet at the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center and Lois King Education Center at 9 a.m. The field trip concludes at 3 p.m.
Summer Camp: DIY Room Décor with Tiffany Fenner
Kids ages 9–13 learn to make their rooms into the an artist space during this Duluth Art Institute summer camp. Campers complete a variety of papier-mâché and clay projects to decorate their space. Projects include clay coaster sets, shelves and oil diffuser beads.
Sessions are July 13-19 from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $170 for DAI members and $210 for nonmembers. Registration is available at duluthart.org.
Hartley Sustainability Workshop Series
This workshop series aims to connect community members with local environmental experts to instruct about local environmental challenges and solutions shaping the region. Workshops take place on the third Thursday of each month and will run through July 2026.
LLO Science on Deck
Scientists and staff of the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Large Lakes Observatory invite the community to board and tour the Blue Heron research vessel on the Duluth Harbor behind the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. The Science on Deck event is free and runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tours are provided by scientists, crew and students to provide an overview of the R/V Blue Heron’s layout and research capabilities.
This edition of Science on Deck is a collaboration with the Duluth Public Library for its “Libraries Love Lakes.” It offers interaction with graduate students working on freshwater research. In addition, lists of lake-related literature are provided and a special guest author gives a presentation at 1:30 p.m.
The Blue Heron is part of the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System and is chartered by research scientists to explore any of the Great Lakes. For more info visit scse.d.umn.edu.
Summer Cap: Soft Sculpture with Lauren Faherty
Through a variety of media, this class allows for 2D and 3D experimentation. Students can design a plush character, explore the basics of hand and machine sewing, and incorporate storytelling through comics and graphic drawing. The class is designed for ages 9–13.
The five sessions run July 20-24 from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $170 for DAI members and $210 for nonmembers. Registration is available at duluthart.org.
Summer Camp: Patterns in Beadwork with Airlea Defoe
Instructor Airlea Indaniss DeFoe teaches students ages 9–12 how to make patterns in beadwork using color theory, drawing and counting. To develop these skills, students make beaded wall art that hangs down to create an image.
Sessions are July 27-31 from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $170 for Duluth Art Institute members and $210 for nonmembers. Registration is available at duluthart.org.
Planning Your Lake Superior Circle Tour
Attendees can learn about the landscape, 1.1 billion-year-old geology, industrial “ghost lines” in the forest and deep Indigenous history. This class for adults is led by Emily Macgillivray, a PhD-trained historian and veteran of the Circle Tour who taught field courses for college students about the watershed.
LLO Science on Deck
Scientists and staff of the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Large Lakes Observatory invite the community to board and tour the Blue Heron research vessel on the Duluth Harbor behind the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. The Science on Deck event is free and runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tours are provided by scientists, crew and students to provide an overview of the R/V Blue Heron’s layout and research capabilities.
At 1:30 p.m. the LLO’s Dr. Craig Hill gives a presentation titled “The Waves on the Great Lakes: Energy and Observations.”
The Blue Heron is part of the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System and is chartered by research scientists to explore any of the Great Lakes. For more info visit scse.d.umn.edu.
LLO Science on Deck
Scientists and staff of the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Large Lakes Observatory invite the community to board and tour the Blue Heron research vessel on the Duluth Harbor behind the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. The Science on Deck event is free and runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tours are provided by scientists, crew and students to provide an overview of the R/V Blue Heron’s layout and research capabilities.
At 1:30 p.m. the LLO’s Dr. Ted Ozersky gives a presentation titled “What Lakes Do in Winter.”
The Blue Heron is part of the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System and is chartered by research scientists to explore any of the Great Lakes. For more info visit scse.d.umn.edu.
Poetry as Practice: A North Shore Poetry Workshop Series
This series, taught by author, Chelsea B. DesAutels, is a set of three day-long writing workshops in Duluth and Two Harbors. utilizing the idea that the more we practice what we love—hiking, cooking, reading—the more we learn from it. Participants will practice writing poetry together and see what it has to teach as writers and beyond. Expect to leave with several new drafts and a larger poetry community.
This workshop is designed for seasoned and brand-new writers alike. No experience necessary. The series is made possible by a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. There is no fee to attend.
Poetry as Practice consists of three workshops: May 30 (Duluth), July 10 (Two Harbors) and September 19 (Duluth). Register for one or all three. Each workshop will contain fresh material and prompts.
Registration is available at chelseabdesautels.com.
Fix-it Clinic
Whether it’s cracked, torn, stained, missing a piece or just not working properly, broken things can be made good as new with the right skills and tools. WLSSD has partnered with Duluth Folk School and Duluth Makerspace to host regular events where people can learn how to fix their stuff. Volunteers specialize in a variety of repair skills, including electronics and small appliances, woodworking and furniture, watches and jewelry, clothing and upholstery, sports and outdoor gear, ceramics, artwork and more.
People can sign up in advance to be paired with a skilled volunteer or volunteer their skills to help fix other folks’ stuff. For more information or to register visit wlssd.com/fix-it or call 218-722-3336. Walk-ins are welcome but not guaranteed a time slot.
Fix-it clinics are held on the second Saturday of alternating months.
Acrylic Painting: Tamaracks
Dive into acrylics and learn to paint the unusual but gorgeous tamarack. A staple tree of northern Minnesota, the tamarack is a deciduous conifer that turns a flaming golden color in late fall. This event, presented by Lauren Hefty of GreyFoxArtworks, is part of Friends of Sax-Zim Bog’s series of art-based workshops in the Bog. The arts and the Sax-Zim Bog have a strong relationship: from photographers capturing the beautiful sights and creatures of the region, to the artists inspired to profile this amazing place in their favored medium. During class, students further their painting skills by painting dynamic, vibrant landscapes of this fall favorite. Students should have some knowledge of water-based paint prior to class. Plan on bringing a lunch, snacks, a water bottle, etc. for this course.
Hefty is an illustrator and painter who specializes in natural landscapes, surrealism and birds. The simple beauty of the outdoors is what inspires her to create. From the cold silence of a winter landscape to the warm, vibrant colors of a spring warbler, Hefty’s work is meant to showcase the diversity of nature in a way that moves the viewer to a sense of nostalgia. She currently creates in her home town of Star Prairie, Wisconsin. Hefty is a member of the St. Paul Artist Collective, a board member for Frederic Arts and an Arts Educator for the White Bear Center for the Arts, Glädje Gallery and Frederic Arts. Her artwork is currently on display at Glädje Gallery in Lindstrom and at One10 Gallery in Frederic.
The cost to attend the workshop is $100, or $85 for Friends of Sax-Zim Bog members and Minnesota Master Naturalists. Materials are included.
Registration is required at saxzim.org. Registrants meet at the Meadowlands Community Center at 11 a.m. The workshop concludes at 3 p.m.