Discover the art of mosaic with artist, Laura Ruprecht. You will create your own Mosaic Mandala wall hanging in this hands-on workshop. We will use hand-cut stained glass and glass tesserae to design a radial pattern on a 10-inch wooden backer. Laura's guidance ensures a unique and captivating result all at a beginner-level pace. Upon completion, you will receive a grout kit to finish your masterpiece at home, blending creativity and personal expression in this concise and immersive mosaic art experience.

April 6, 2024

9a - 12p

Create your own unique bud vases in this fun class. Students will experience the creativity of working with pliable clay slabs which can be stamped or incised with decorative accents. The slabs are then formed into cylinders and finished off with a circular or oval slab for the base.

Gather your family and/or your friends group and join us at the Avon Hills Folk School for the annual rite of going to the woods to make maple syrup and continue the tradition of Sugar Camp begun by the native peoples inhabiting present day Minnesota and Ontario east nearly to the Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll have the opportunity to see our Sugar Bush, experience the woods and water of the Avon Hills as it begins to slowly come alive after a long winter. You can try your hand at tapping some trees, emptying some bags, watching the sap boil and trying some “not quite syrup” out of the pan.

Gather your family and/or your friends group and join us at the Avon Hills Folk School for the annual rite of going to the woods to make maple syrup and continue the tradition of Sugar Camp begun by the native peoples inhabiting present day Minnesota and Ontario east nearly to the Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll have the opportunity to see our Sugar Bush, experience the woods and water of the Avon Hills as it begins to slowly come alive after a long winter. You can try your hand at tapping some trees, emptying some bags, watching the sap boil and trying some “not quite syrup” out of the pan.

Gather your family and/or your friends group and join us at the Avon Hills Folk School for the annual rite of going to the woods to make maple syrup and continue the tradition of Sugar Camp begun by the native peoples inhabiting present day Minnesota and Ontario east nearly to the Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll have the opportunity to see our Sugar Bush, experience the woods and water of the Avon Hills as it begins to slowly come alive after a long winter. You can try your hand at tapping some trees, emptying some bags, watching the sap boil and trying some “not quite syrup” out of the pan.

Join us for Coffee, Craft and Conversation the last Wednesday of each month from 7:30 - 9:30 am. Enjoy speakers, demos, and make-and-take activities starting at 8:30 am. No registration required, drop in anytime between 7:30 - 9:30 am.

Gather your family and/or your friends group and join us at the Avon Hills Folk School for the annual rite of going to the woods to make maple syrup and continue the tradition of Sugar Camp begun by the native peoples inhabiting present day Minnesota and Ontario east nearly to the Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll have the opportunity to see our Sugar Bush, experience the woods and water of the Avon Hills as it begins to slowly come alive after a long winter. You can try your hand at tapping some trees, emptying some bags, watching the sap boil and trying some “not quite syrup” out of the pan.

Gather your family and/or your friends group and join us at the Avon Hills Folk School for the annual rite of going to the woods to make maple syrup and continue the tradition of Sugar Camp begun by the native peoples inhabiting present day Minnesota and Ontario east nearly to the Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll have the opportunity to see our Sugar Bush, experience the woods and water of the Avon Hills as it begins to slowly come alive after a long winter. You can try your hand at tapping some trees, emptying some bags, watching the sap boil and trying some “not quite syrup” out of the pan.

Gather your family and/or your friends group and join us at the Avon Hills Folk School for the annual rite of going to the woods to make maple syrup and continue the tradition of Sugar Camp begun by the native peoples inhabiting present day Minnesota and Ontario east nearly to the Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll have the opportunity to see our Sugar Bush, experience the woods and water of the Avon Hills as it begins to slowly come alive after a long winter. You can try your hand at tapping some trees, emptying some bags, watching the sap boil and trying some “not quite syrup” out of the pan.

Gather your family and/or your friends group and join us at the Avon Hills Folk School for the annual rite of going to the woods to make maple syrup and continue the tradition of Sugar Camp begun by the native peoples inhabiting present day Minnesota and Ontario east nearly to the Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll have the opportunity to see our Sugar Bush, experience the woods and water of the Avon Hills as it begins to slowly come alive after a long winter. You can try your hand at tapping some trees, emptying some bags, watching the sap boil and trying some “not quite syrup” out of the pan.

March 16, 2024

1p-5p

This class will share the fundamentals of beekeeping for those that would like to begin their journey into bee guardianship! 

You will learn the basics including the biology of the honey bee, hive dynamics, what equipment is needed to get started, recommendations on where to buy equipment, different hive styles, placement of hives on the land and the step by step process of setting up your first hive. 

Gather your family and/or your friends group and join us at the Avon Hills Folk School for the annual rite of going to the woods to make maple syrup and continue the tradition of Sugar Camp begun by the native peoples inhabiting present day Minnesota and Ontario east nearly to the Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll have the opportunity to see our Sugar Bush, experience the woods and water of the Avon Hills as it begins to slowly come alive after a long winter. You can try your hand at tapping some trees, emptying some bags, watching the sap boil and trying some “not quite syrup” out of the pan.

Students will expand upon previous felting experience and learn how to create an object with wire armature. You will learn the use of additional needles to create fine details on the mushroom. We will also cover the mounting of the mushroom on wood and then use additional fibers to create a realistic looking base for the mushroom to “grow from”.

Gather your family and/or your friends group and join us at the Avon Hills Folk School for the annual rite of going to the woods to make maple syrup and continue the tradition of Sugar Camp begun by the native peoples inhabiting present day Minnesota and Ontario east nearly to the Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll have the opportunity to see our Sugar Bush, experience the woods and water of the Avon Hills as it begins to slowly come alive after a long winter. You can try your hand at tapping some trees, emptying some bags, watching the sap boil and trying some “not quite syrup” out of the pan.

Gather your family and/or your friends group and join us at the Avon Hills Folk School for the annual rite of going to the woods to make maple syrup and continue the tradition of Sugar Camp begun by the native peoples inhabiting present day Minnesota and Ontario east nearly to the Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll have the opportunity to see our Sugar Bush, experience the woods and water of the Avon Hills as it begins to slowly come alive after a long winter. You can try your hand at tapping some trees, emptying some bags, watching the sap boil and trying some “not quite syrup” out of the pan.

Gather your family and/or your friends group and join us at the Avon Hills Folk School for the annual rite of going to the woods to make maple syrup and continue the tradition of Sugar Camp begun by the native peoples inhabiting present day Minnesota and Ontario east nearly to the Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll have the opportunity to see our Sugar Bush, experience the woods and water of the Avon Hills as it begins to slowly come alive after a long winter. You can try your hand at tapping some trees, emptying some bags, watching the sap boil and trying some “not quite syrup” out of the pan.

March 9, 2024

9 am - 11:30 am

Create your own luminaries in this fun class.  Students will work with pliable clay slabs which can be incised with decorative accents. Then formed into cylinders and finished off with a circular slab for the base.

Time and materials will allow for students to make two luminaries.   Lots of flexibility for design, since we are working with wet clay.

March 2, 2024

1 pm - 5 pm

The savory, meat and vegetable-filled pasty has served as a hearty meal for more than 150 years in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (UP) where the simple but hunger-satisfying meal has become a significant part of the region's cultural identity. “Invented” by Cornish settlers who came to work in the region's iron and copper mines, the hand-held meat pie was an easy meal to transport and eat deep in the mines. 

Today you can find pasties across the UP, buying them singly or by the “cooler full” which could be up to 99 pasties. Also popular across the Iron Range of northern MN, our instructor will share that the UP Pasty is the best. 

In this course you’ll learn a bit more about the history, the “proper” way to make a UP Pasty and you’ll get to prepare your own start to finish. Beginning with the raw materials, making the dough and taking home up to 12 pasties of your own. 

March 2, 2024

8 am - 4 pm

Learn how to transfer an image onto fabric. Once the image is transferred, learn the correct needles to use to attach wool to the fabric, filling in the outlines of the design with colored wool. Students will also blend fibers together to achieve texture and sew into a pillow and fill to create a small throw pillow.

Join us for Coffee, Craft and Conversation the last Wednesday of each month from 7:30 - 9:30 am. Enjoy speakers, demos, and make-and-take activities starting at 8:30 am. No registration required, drop in anytime between 7:30 - 9:30 am.

On February 28th, hear from AHFS team member Zach Fritz about his epic canoeing adventures from the Quetico to the Arctic Ocean, and learn about his upcoming journey from Big Falls, MN to the Arctic Ocean. Don't miss it!

February 25, 2024

9 am - 2 pm

Learn how to use core wool to wrap a desired shape onto an object. In this course we'll create the shape of an owlet onto a pencil. After the shape has been made, learn how to layer roving wool to create the look of feathers. You will also learn to insert eyes and wire wrapped legs for our little owlet. 

Regular and proper pruning of fruit trees, specifically apples in this case, can contribute to a healthier and much more productive tree over its lifespan. 

Students can expect to learn the basics of regular pruning of your apple trees, especially those that may have not received regular pruning for many years. You should be able to return to your apple trees and give them that first good “haircut” in years. 

February 17, 2024

8 am - 12 pm

Learn how to needle felt a small 3D Norwegian Gnome and how to wet felt a base for him to stand on. Wet felting the base is a chance to explore a completely different way of attaching fibers onto themselves. We’ll also discuss the folklore surrounding the Norwegian Gnomes.

Join us Saturday, October 14 from 12-6pm at the Avon Hills Folk School for our Annual
Avon Hills Community Bouja Party.

Enjoy an old family recipe, walk the trails, cross the creek all while enjoying the fall colors and meeting new and old friends.

Please bring a dessert to share for the epic 30 foot long dessert table. We'll provide the bouja, bread, and refreshments.