
Nature Mobile
A mobile is a type of sculpture formed of delicate components suspended in the air and moving in response to air currents. This class will teach you the fundamentals of creating a well-balanced mobile using natural materials.

The Giving Tree
Join us in the studio to create a vibrant homage to your favorite tree and all its life-giving qualities. Each student will be asked to bring a series of photographs of their favorite tree and its location. Be prepared to share memories or stories associated with the tree as a group and through your work. Together, we will learn who and what depends on that tree and its role in the ecosystem.
From there, students will work alongside artist Carrie Katzenmeyer to sketch and plan their paintings. Then, they will work through the steps to complete and share the final piece.

Natural Dye & Shibori
Shibori is a Japanese resist-dyeing technique where fabric is shaped, secured, and dyed to create unique patterns. It involves manipulating the fabric through folding, stitching, or twisting before dyeing, resulting in various patterns.

Embroidery - Natural Elements
If you're seeking a relaxing hobby, embroidery might be perfect. Join us at the Treehaus for a refreshing weekend of de-stressing.

GIANT PUPPET MAKING with Sandy Spieler
Join us for a five-day puppet-making intensive led by Sandy Spieler, the Founder of In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (HOBT)—a Minneapolis-Saint Paul area arts nonprofit. Participants will work alongside Sandy and learn a traditional building method using cornstarch, papier mache, and clay for a more detailed, fluid face or creature. Each participant will select a being from either forest, prairie, pond, river, or sky and work together to create a unified performance that celebrates the living beings at The Acreage. You will be invited to perform as a group during the annual fall celebration.

Sumac Branch Weaving
This introductory class on experimental weaving transforms ordinary sumac branches into looms. Participants will learn fundamental weaving techniques using up-cycled materials and found objects.

Plein Air - Walk and Weave
We will begin the evening by constructing a loom frame using branches and twine. After learning some basic weaving techniques and examining various examples, we will pack into a Paddlefish Adventures van and head to Standing Cedars Land Conservancy to collect natural materials to create plein air weaving while walking along the beautiful paths. Long grasses, fallen twigs, colorful leaves, and textured bark will form a lovely composition. We will conclude back at Treehaus Studio with a fun show-and-tell, where we can share our unique, ephemeral weavings.

Land Art: ALa Andy Goldsworthy
Andy Goldsworthy is one of our most well-known environmental artists. He has been engaged in outdoor art-making since the 1970s. His decades of practice have fostered a humble and sensitive attention to form, light, color, condition, and temporality. Like many land artists, he exclusively uses natural materials found at the site of his creations, avoiding glue, rope, or other artificial tools. This approach allows him to understand the intrinsic qualities of the natural materials.

Intuitive Paint and Stitch
Join us for a class that focuses on creating and enhancing painting surfaces using textiles. We will begin by drawing inspiration from our surroundings and observing the colors, lines, forms, and movements around us. Then, you can explore acrylic paint in a relaxed environment, painting freely and loosely on canvas. As the class progresses, you will incorporate textiles into your paintings.

Intro to PaintBrush Making
Join us for an exciting workshop that explores the artistry of traditional brush making! Discover both time-honored and modern techniques for crafting brushes using natural materials such as deer tail, human hair and horsehair.

Ceramic Curio Shelf
In this hand-building ceramic workshop, we’ll use slabs and coils to create curiosity shelves, which provide a beautiful display for small, treasured nature collectibles.

The Sketchbook Project
The Sketchbook Project encourages you to dedicate time each day to build a library of inspiration. It serves as a platform to process life, document your surroundings, and engage in play and experimentation.