Community Calendar

Created by artist Mary E. Burns, the exhibit features 29 handwoven jacquard portraits celebrating scientists, activists, educators, artists, and Indigenous water protectors from more than 20 countries. Through intricate textile art, the exhibition explores the universal importance of water and the women whose work helps sustain and protect this essential resource.

The exhibition will be on display on the Petoskey District Library's second floor from August 27 through October 15, 2026. Throughout its run, the library will offer docent-led tours, related programs, book displays, and community conversations that explore themes of water, environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge, and women's leadership.

Partners making this possible: Michigan League of Handweavers & Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.

Created by artist Mary E. Burns, the exhibit features 29 handwoven jacquard portraits celebrating scientists, activists, educators, artists, and Indigenous water protectors from more than 20 countries. Through intricate textile art, the exhibition explores the universal importance of water and the women whose work helps sustain and protect this essential resource.

The exhibition will be on display on the Petoskey District Library's second floor from August 27 through October 15, 2026. Throughout its run, the library will offer docent-led tours, related programs, book displays, and community conversations that explore themes of water, environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge, and women's leadership.

Partners making this possible: Michigan League of Handweavers & Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.

Created by artist Mary E. Burns, the exhibit features 29 handwoven jacquard portraits celebrating scientists, activists, educators, artists, and Indigenous water protectors from more than 20 countries. Through intricate textile art, the exhibition explores the universal importance of water and the women whose work helps sustain and protect this essential resource.

The exhibition will be on display on the Petoskey District Library's second floor from August 27 through October 15, 2026. Throughout its run, the library will offer docent-led tours, related programs, book displays, and community conversations that explore themes of water, environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge, and women's leadership.

Partners making this possible: Michigan League of Handweavers & Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.

Indigenous arts comprise a wide variety of art forms from varied original peoples from around the world. Mt. Pleasant is the home to the modern-day Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and the ancestral lands of the Anishinabek people. This tie to the tribe affords our region a rich history of cultural traditions, as well as a variety of art forms. Art Reach presents a series of classes with the hope of widening our worldview and offering an avenue for sharing this cultural tradition.

Discover the Anishinaabe art form of traditional quillwork with artist and instructor Chyann Haas. Students will experience the full process, from respectfully harvesting quills from a porcupine, dyeing the quills, and assembling your design. You’ll create your artwork utilizing traditional motifs on leather or birchbark and apply finishing touches by finishing the back. All supplies are provided.

This four-week course will be held weekly from 3-4:30 pm on Monday, August 17- September 14 (skipping Labor Day), in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: 14 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Created by artist Mary E. Burns, the exhibit features 29 handwoven jacquard portraits celebrating scientists, activists, educators, artists, and Indigenous water protectors from more than 20 countries. Through intricate textile art, the exhibition explores the universal importance of water and the women whose work helps sustain and protect this essential resource.

The exhibition will be on display on the Petoskey District Library's second floor from August 27 through October 15, 2026. Throughout its run, the library will offer docent-led tours, related programs, book displays, and community conversations that explore themes of water, environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge, and women's leadership.

Partners making this possible: Michigan League of Handweavers & Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.

Tuesday – Saturday, September 8 – 12, 2026. Friends only on Tuesday from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. and until 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Teacher Appreciation time from 2:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9. Sale open to the public Thursday, September 10 from 10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. and Friday, September 11 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m Saturday, September 12 is $2 Bag Day from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Bags provided.
Book donations may be brought to Veterans Memorial Library between August 31 and September 4 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Follow us on Facebook for the latest information. https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofVML

Using artistic expression, introspection, and easily accessible tools, enable your ability to reduce stress and address problems with compassion, creativity, and calm. Led by instructor Deborah Clark, participants will learn three techniques individually designed to help them 1) name and describe issues; 2) create a safe space for reflection; and 3) find their inner, compassionate voice for empathy and solutions – all using the simple, free-flowing artistic methods of junk journaling (ie., glue-booking). Zero artistic training or abilities needed.

Participants will each receive a journal and work through the exercises using provided mixed media and creative ephemera during each session. Materials fee is included in the cost of tuition. Minimum of 5 students required for class to run.

This 3-week course will be held 5:30-7:30 pm, Tuesday, September 8-22, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: 16 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Created by artist Mary E. Burns, the exhibit features 29 handwoven jacquard portraits celebrating scientists, activists, educators, artists, and Indigenous water protectors from more than 20 countries. Through intricate textile art, the exhibition explores the universal importance of water and the women whose work helps sustain and protect this essential resource.

The exhibition will be on display on the Petoskey District Library's second floor from August 27 through October 15, 2026. Throughout its run, the library will offer docent-led tours, related programs, book displays, and community conversations that explore themes of water, environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge, and women's leadership.

Partners making this possible: Michigan League of Handweavers & Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.

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.

Choose one medium to focus on or try both!

For drawing, learn the fundamentals of observational drawing with an introduction to materials and their functions, perspective, proportion, composition, shading and more. For painting, you may be an absolute beginner or be well versed in the acrylic medium. Cyd will provide an understanding of the principles and elements of art, color mixing, composition, and adding mediums to explore the versatility of acrylics. There will be project flexibility depending on your artistic needs with in-depth tailored instruction.

With Cynthia Keefe, MFA, Creative 360 Co-Founder. No experience necessary. Age 16 and up. Materials list upon registration. Please preregister.

Wednesdays, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
August Mini Session – Drawing & Painting / August 5, 12, 19, 26 / $80

Join us for an Introduction to Linocut course and explore the world of relief printing! In this three-week course, you’ll learn how to carve designs into linoleum blocks and turn your creations into beautiful prints. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike, instructor Kristena Gilbreath will guide you step-by-step through carving, inking, and printing. By the end of the course, you’ll have your own unique art pieces and the skills to keep exploring this expressive medium.

Students with poor grip strength can be provided with safety linocut pull tools for better accommodation in dexterity.

This three-week course will be held from 1-3 pm on Wednesday, September 9-23, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant

Recommended age: 14 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Join us for an Introduction to Linocut course and explore the world of relief printing! In this three-week course, you’ll learn how to carve designs into linoleum blocks and turn your creations into beautiful prints. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike, instructor Kristena Gilbreath will guide you step-by-step through carving, inking, and printing. By the end of the course, you’ll have your own unique art pieces and the skills to keep exploring this expressive medium.

Students with poor grip strength can be provided with safety linocut pull tools for better accommodation in dexterity.

This three-week course will be held from 1-3 pm on Wednesday, September 9-23, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant

Recommended age: 14 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

“Paul is a treasure! He shares a wealth of knowledge.” ~ glass student

Wednesdays, September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 / 1:00 – 3:30 pm / $150, plus $35 materials

Learn the copper foil method of stained glass designed for the creation of Tiffany lampshades. It is a lighter, stronger, and simpler way to work with glass. Each student will finish one project.

Paul Schmidt, previously a partner at Imagine That! has been creating stained glass for 40 years. He loves sharing his passion with others because, “Stained Glass is my thing!”

Preregistration required. Class size is limited.

Indigenous arts comprise a wide variety of art forms from varied original peoples from around the world. Mt. Pleasant is the home to the modern-day Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and the ancestral lands of the Anishinabek people. This ties to the tribe affords our region a rich history of cultural traditions and a variety of art forms. Art Reach presents a series of classes in hopes of broadening our worldview and providing an avenue for sharing this cultural tradition.

Anishinaabe artist and instructor Chyann Haas will explore the art and history of the beadwork tradition of the Anishinaabe people. Students will be able to select their chosen pattern. Utilizing glass seed beads, students will learn the process to sew beads onto a foundation fabric, creating artful beadwork designs. Basic sewing techniques will be taught, but students should be comfortable with needles. All supplies are provided.

This four-week course will be held from 4-5:30 pm on Wednesday, September 9-30 in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: 13 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Teens looking to further hone their acting skills in theater, improv, and more are invited to join Mount Pleasant’s own Tena Gilbreath, a professional actress in Hollywood theatre and Second City improv. Students ages 13-18 who have completed the first course in this series can gain further insight into the theater world and practice the fundamentals of acting through improvisation, scene work, voice acting, character development, and performance techniques. Actors will continue their practice by improving on techniques learned in the first course and build performance experience through creative exercises and theater games.

This 6-week course will be held from 6-9 pm on Wednesdays, September 2-October 7, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Recommended age: 13-18

A snack will be provided midway through each session. Students with food sensitivities should bring a snack from home.

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.