UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
The Porcupine Mountains Folk School will be hosting a series of fun workshops throughout the spring and summer of 2008. All have a limited number of spaces, and registrations are accepted on a first-come first-serve basis. To register call 906-885-5545. Workshops are all held in the park at the Folk School Building, which is located near the Union Bay Campground and the Kaug Wudjoo Lodge. Please scroll down to see all of our offerings and to find the link to past workshops and photos!
Please note that in addition to the class fees, a Michigan State Parks motor vehicle permit (MVP) to enter the park will be collected along with your class registration and fees. More information about the permits can be found below.
To enroll, please call 906-885-5545, , or fill out this form.
What To Bring:
Winter: In the winter, come dressed and prepared for lake-effect snows! Our building is quite warm, but you may want to get out and enjoy the fresh air. (Winter interpretive programs) We recommend bringing boots, a warm coat, a hat, gloves/mittens, and a scarf. You may want to think about bringing cross-country skis or snowshoes to enjoy an afternoon hike or latern light skiing on Saturdays from 7 to 9 p.m.
Summer: Please bring your favorite folding chair, bug dope, sunscreen, sunglasses, an extra layer of clothing, and a rain jacket. There are lots of things to see and do in the park after hours; it stays light until about 9:30 p.m. (Interpretive programs) The Porcupine Mountains Folk School site is quite close to Lake Superior, so be prepared for cool mornings.
What to bring in all seasons: We also ask that you bring a bag lunch or some money to purchase lunch from one of the local eateries. We will provide menus, phone numbers, and driving directions for each. All locations are within 5-15 minutes of the Folk School. Meals are quite affordable ($5-$15), and some of the restaurants will deliver. We have a refrigerator to store lunches and beverages. Bottled water, coffee, tea, and a variety of sodas will be available throughout the day. In addition to these items, some workshops require other materials. Please check the details below. If needed, bring personal safety equipment (eye protection, hard hat, gloves). We will have some of these items if you do not bring them, but please bring gloves. You will be attending class in a Michigan state park; a motor vehicle permit will be required. They can be purchased at the park office or campground. No smoking please.
Classes for 2008:
• Herb Walk •
Saturday, May 31, 2008
See the Porcupine Mountains through an herbalist’s eyes. Participants in the herb walk will spend a few hours learning about the use and preparation of several different medicinal plants growing in the Porcupine Mountains. Every May is a little bit different in the Porkies, but we are likely to discuss some ephemeral spring wildflowers, mineral rich green tonics, and medicinal trees found in the park. There will be no collecting during this class, as it is not allowed in the park, but we will be able to try some preparations made with plants gathered elsewhere.
Meet at the folk school. The walk route is still to be determined but it will not be a challenging hike at all.
Cost: $30
Time: 2 p.m. EST
• Herbal Teas with Andrea Corpolongo-Smith •
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Learn how to create a personalized herbal tea blend that nourishes your specific body type, helps to heal chronic discomforts, and tastes wonderful! Participants in this class will have the opportunity to determine their constitutional types, identify potentially unbalanced organ systems in their bodies, and finally create, taste, and take home a personal tea blend. All herbs discussed in class will be gentle, easy to use, and readily available in stores or easy to find in the local landscape.
Cost: $30 plus $2 materials fee
Time: 2 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: $2
• Winter Knitting Retreat •
If you are a beginner, there will be people to help you build your skills. If you are advanced, please come and enjoy the fun and share your knowledge! There is a suggested donation of $20 for all 4 sessions. If you cannot afford this, please don’t let it stop you from attending!
Karen Berg and Sarah Wagner will be hosting the retreat again this year. It will be held on the following Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Bring your lunch and your project! If this is your first time and you do not know where to begin, please contact Karen at 884-4340 or Sarah at 884-2630.
January 26 - Karen Berg
February 23 - Sarah Wagner
March 15 - Sarah Wagner
April 5 - Karen Berg
Classes for 2007:
• Contemporary Felt Making with Phyllis Fredendall •
Two-day workshop May 12-13th, 2007
Number of Participants: 8
Cost: $80 per day. Can chose to do first day only. Plus MVP.
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: $15 per day*.
Bring: *A list of supplies will be provided and materials fee can be waved if students bring their own supplies.
Learn the transformation of wool fleece to a solid object from Phyllis, an assistant professor of fiber and fashion at Finlandia University. The first day participants will receive an introduction to wet and dry processes with focus on embellishments and attachments. The second day of the workshop, participants will learn about the third dimension. They will have an opportunity to felt a seamless object, a container/vessel/bag or cozy and continue surface explorations. The photo below is an example of the type of piece that can be fashioned on day two of this workshop.
• Glass Bead Making (Lampworking) with Sherrie McCabe •
Two-day workshop May 19-20th, 2007
Number of Participants: 10
Cost: $50 plus MVP
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: $30
Learn the old, Italian methods of Lampworking to make glass beads in a torch. Students will be provided detailed instruction about the tools and methods used to manipulate hot glass to produce wound glass beads. Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, each student will use age-old techniques to create beads with a variety of shapes and patterns.
• Watercolors with Nancy McCabe •
Two-day workshop May 19-20th, 2007
Number of Participants: 10
Cost: $50 plus MVP
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: $30 for watercolor paper
Bring: List will be mailed to students by instructor
This class is designed for both beginning and intermediate students. A no-pressure chance to create with watercolors. We will be experimenting with many different facets of painting, wet on wet, dry brush, the lifting of colors, washes and some just–for–fun painting techniques.
• Nature Painting with Dan Perotti •
Five-day workshop June 18-22nd, 2007
Number of Participants: 12
Cost: $250 plus MVP
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: none
Bring: A detailed list of supplies will be provided for participants, but will include: Sketch paper, No. 2 pencils, easel, painting or drawing board, painting surface, round and flat brushes, acrylic paints (preferably Grumbacker or Winsor/Newton)
Dan, an Ironwood artist guide students through a nature painting class. The class will focus on the basics of acrylic painting, and students will complete their own painting on a topic of their choosing. About your subject matter Dan says, “Seeing I don’t know exactly what everyone wants to work on, nature setting or wildlife, it is usually best for the individual to supply their own “special” subject, such as a photo or photos of a particular scene, photos of their favorite wildlife, or a combination of the above. By this I mean that the artist can combine photos to create a unique composition of their own design. Individuals more ‘into it’ may want to use models, such as a plant rock, taxidermied wildlife, etc. to use as subjects or components of their composition. So bring your own subject/idea!”
• Three Birch Bark Containers with Dar Fredrickson •
Offered June 23rd and September 22nd, 2007
Number of Participants: 10
Cost: $60 plus MVP
Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: $20
Bring: a sketchbook and any items listed at the end of the class description if you have them
Participants will choose from three functional birch bark containers and make one during this 4 hour workshop. One is woven, another is made with hollowed birch trunk or branch, and one starts from a flat shape them becomes a basket with a handle. Your beautiful, functional basket can be used for berry picking, holding dried flowers, or as a display for beach glass and stones. Please dress in comfortable layers of clothes and shoes for outdoor temperatures. Wear a scarf or “chook” to keep hair clean and head warm. The new latex-palmed gloves (Atlas brand is good) are wonderful to wear while working with natural materials. If you have any of the following please consider bringing them: pencil and medium point permanent marker, Fiskar scissors, utility knife, xacto knife and blades, metal ruler, basket making supplies (half oval for rims, caning reed, synthetic sinew, awl), hollowed birch, upholstery or small hammer, clothes pins with springs, and Porcupine quills.
 • Black Ash Basket Weaving with April Stone-Dahl •
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Number of Participants: 10
Cost: $55 plus MVP
Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: $25
Bring: Sharp scissors and whittling knife
Back by popular demand, April will return this summer to teach the basics of making a beautiful and functional basket. Participants will learn about the history and function of black ash basketry, harvesting and processing of the raw materials called “splints,” and prep work involved before weaving a basket of their own to take home. Below, April (far left) is pictured with the March participants and their baskets.
• Beginning Fly Tying with Brian Ciesielczyk •
July 2007-specific date to be announced
Number of Participants: 8
Cost: $30 plus MVP
Time: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: none
Bring: A vice, scissors, hackle pliers if you own
This class will be geared to the beginning fly tier. Basic tools, equipment, and materials will be discussed. You will learn how to tie some basic streamers, nymphs, wet flies and dry flies. Some tactics on fishing the various flies will be discussed, and time permitting, some fly casting demonstrations will be conducted a the end of the session. If you already have some fly tying equipment such as a vise, scissors, bobbin, hackle pliers and materials please bring it. If you do not, equipment and materials will be provided.
• Making Plant Medicines with Andrea Corpolongo-Smith •
Three half-day workshops July 22, August 12, and September 16, 2007
Number of Participants: 12
Cost: $30
Time: 2 p.m.–4 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: $15
Learn to make effective herbal medicines! Participants will make herbal extracts, salves, or syrups that can be used to treat common problems such as bug bites, bruises, colds, and flus using locally collected plants. Join us for one class, or all three. The following schedule is subject to plant availability and may change.
July 22nd: Make a Jewelweed extract to soothe itchy bug bites and more.
August 12th: Make a St. John's Wort salve for sprains, strains, bruises, and other healing.
September 16th: Make an anti-viral Elderberry syrup that will help you through the long cold and flu season.
• Bats with Bob Wild and Bat House Building with Dave Rasmussen •
August 3rd and 4th, 2007
Number of Participants: 30 families, one bathouse per family
Cost: Free but MVP required for park entry
Time: Friday, learn about bats: 7 –8 p.m. EST; Saturday, build a bat house: 12 –2 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: $20 to build bat house
Come learn about bats from Bob Wild, Park Interpreter at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Meet at the Folk School on Friday evening for a program which explores the world of this often misunderstood mammal. On Saturday, return to the Folk School between 12 noon and 2 p.m. where for $20.00 you can build a bat house to take home and attract your friendly neighborhood bats. The bat houses will be in kit form with all the required parts. The kit can be constructed by children as young as 5 with adult supervision or adults any age. The construction will take less then 20 minutes. Technology and Engineering instructor Dave Rasmussen will provide all the tools, jigs and fixtures to ensure a correctly assembled bat house. Please one kit per family and the class is limited to 20 builders and their helpers.
• Wooden Spoon Carving with Jarrod Stone-Dahl •
August 11, 2007
Number of Participants: 8
Cost: $50 plus MVP
Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: $10 per spoon
Bring: carving or whittling knife if you own
Carve a simple yet elegant spoon from maple or birch using age old techniques with hand tools. We will use the natural grain of the wood to find a spoon within, rough out with hatchet and adze, shape with a carving knife and gouge and finish with scrapers. We will discuss the variety of tools and techniques in shaping wood and finishing oils. This class was a spring hit and is back by popular demand!
• Shaker Box Making Basics with Eric Pintar •
A one and half-day workshop August 17-18th, 2007
Number of Participants: 8
Cost: $100
Time: Friday evening 5 p.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: $40
Participants will be guided by skilled artisan, Eric Pintar, and complete their own set of five nested oval boxes. Participants will work with hand and modern tools to complete a set of versatile and beautiful boxes in the 200 year old Shaker style. The small stack Eric is holding in the photo below contains the # 1-2-3 sizes. Not pictured are a #0 and #4 boxes.
• Advanced Shaker Box Making with Eric Pintar •
August 18th, 2007
Number of Participants: 5
Cost: $100
Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: Varies depending on project or projects completed
Participants who have previously completed the Basics workshop will be guided by skilled artisan, Eric Pintar and have their choice of completing one or more of the items pictured here or a delightful music box. The box with a crooked handle is the #4, Swing handle carrier, measuring 5 1/2" x 8 3/4". Its handle swings by being secured with copper rivets. Directly behind that is the #8 fixed handle carrier. It measures 8 7/8" x 14 1/4". Eric says “This is a project for one to be proud of. I think that it is the most useful project. Actually one is in my home and is used daily.” Sitting in the middle of the tray on the right side is a #2 box. The Shaker style serving tray is the most straightforward project to make in the advanced course. Its dimensions are 12 3/8" x 17 3/4".
A pile of Shaker boxes of all shapes and sizes drying around their forms. Participants at work assembling their set of nested boxes.
• Paddle Making with Eric Pintar •
August 19th, 2007
Number of Participants: 8
Cost: $65
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. EST - No one goes home until their paddle is finished!
Materials Fee: $25
Join craftsman Eric Pintar in this one day event where each participant will carve their own canoe paddle from spruce lumber. All materials and tools will be provided. Project requires students muscle power to work the spruce board with hand tools. No prior woodworking experience necessary. Learn the skills of a draw knife, block plane, chisels, hand saws, and spokeshaves. The experience of the course will provide each student with knowledge and skills to make more paddles and even kayak paddles at home.
• Timber Framing with Steve Stier •
September 3rd to 7th, 2007
Number of Participants: 10
Cost: $250
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: None
Bring: Work gloves, hard hat (if own), and safety glasses
Skilled framers will guide participants through design, layout, boring and chiseling mortises, forming and pegging tenons, cutting wind braces and assembling bents for a small timber-framed dwelling. Participants will be working with hand tools and hand boring machines to make the tenons and mortises. All skill levels are welcomed, but keen interest is required.
Participants in last July's class get a lesson in mortise layout from master builder, Steve. June participant, Dan, puts his chiseling skills to good use.
• Writers Workshop in the Porkies with Carol Lauhon, Ph.D. •
Friday through Friday, September 14-21, 2007
Number of Participants: 8-12
Cost: Please see link below for tuition options
Dr. Carol Lauhon, online faculty member of the University of Iowa writing programs, will lead this weeklong workshop. Participants will enjoy time to write, workshop-style critiques, special guest speakers, park tours, conversations around the fire, and more. Personal writing will be the focus of the 2007 retreat —stories of memories in the Porkies, or life memories that participants want to write down, or simply meditations and creative pieces that are part of being inspired by the beautiful natural setting. This workshop will be held in the gorgeous Kaug Wudjoo Lodge on the shores of Lake Superior. Please click on the link below for tuition options and 8 day schedule.
• Birch Bark Ornaments with Dar Fredrickson •
Offered September 29th and October 6th, 2007
Number of Participants: 10
Cost: $30 plus MVP
Time: 10 a.m.–1 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: $10
Bring: a sketchbook and any items listed at the end of the class description if you have them
Participants in this 3-hour workshop will create at least one original 2D design based on a natural form of choice or Christmas symbol. A paper pattern will be transferred to birch bark and then cut from the bark. A variety of decorative techniques will be demonstrated with woodburners, teeth marks, leather and paper punches, ribbon, bark splitting, and Porcupine Quills. Participants will make at least on ornament during this workshop. Please dress in comfortable layers of clothes and shoes for outdoor temperatures. Wear a scarf or “chook” to keep hair clean and head warm. The new latex-palmed gloves (Atlas brand is good) are wonderful to wear while working with natural materials. If you have any of the following please consider bringing them: Fiskar scissors (straight or decorative edge), xacto knife and blades, metal ruler, leather or paper punch, self-healing cutting matte or dense cardboard, hot glue gun and glue sticks, extension cords, Porcupine quills, buttons, ribbons, burlap, wool, felt, or found objects.
• Tobbagon Making with Jarrod-Stone Dahl •
Two-day workshop October 20-21st, 2007
Number of Participants: TBA
Cost: TBA plus MVP
Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: TBA
This workshop comes just in time for the sledding and skidding season. Jarrod will guide participants through the tobbagon making process using green wood (white ash) and hand tools. Details to folllow soon!
• Making the Ojibwe Snowshoe with Jarrod-Stone Dahl •
Four-day workshop November 2-5th, 2007 OR November 3-4th & 10-11th, 2007*
Number of Participants: 6
Cost: $200 plus MVP
Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: $25 for nylon lacings; price for rawhide yet to be determined
*Depending on participant demand and schedules, workshop can be offered for four consecutive days, November 2-5 OR over two weekends, November 3-4 and November 10-11.
Participants will start with a pile of freshly cut white ash and work with hand tools to create a beautiful pair of snowshoes over four days. This workshop will focus on the main indigenous tools used in working green wood. In the Great Lakes region some of these tools were the wedge, axe, and crooked knife. Through this intense four-day workshop, participants will learn tree identification and selection, preparation of stock and forming the shape of the snowshoes using hot water or steam. After shape is set and the crossbars are fitted, the lacing is woven into place. The final finishing and types of bindings will be discussed. Participants have the choice of using nylon or rawhide for the lacing.
Below Jarrod tests the flexibility of the steamed, green staves. Park Ranger Tony gets to try and tie a knot out of green wood. Amazing! Mike shows the result of two days of work-his completed snowshoe frame.
  
• Birch Twig Wreath Workshop with Wayne Walma and Pam Beal •
One-day workshop in November 2007
Number of Participants: 10
Cost: Cost:$40 plus MVP
Time: 10 a.m. –1 p.m. EST
Materials Fee: $10
Bring:Light weight work gloves and hand pruning shears Participants will cut and assemble twigs to place into 14 or 16 inch wreath form. They will learn to use the foot operated crimping machine. These will be rustic, undecorated wreaths, but ideas for decorating will be discussed. Display locations will also be discussed, i.e. garden gate. Inspiration for the birch wreaths were East Branch neighbors who were describing how their parents made birch brooms for house and barn cleaning. These wreaths are extremely durable and need minimal care. They are nice displayed indoors or out. Birch materials are from their 40 acre woods.
MOTOR VEHICLE PERMITS (MVP)
Annual Motor Vehicle Permits give each vehicle’s occupants access to any of the 97 state parks throughout 2007 except the three Mackinac Island Historic State Parks. All vehicles registered in Michigan will qualify for a resident MVP. As part of your Folk School fee, you can choose to pay for an MVP when you register for a workshop if you do not already have a sticker. We can have the stickers (except Senior Annuals*) available for you upon your arrival to your workshop. Alternatively, you may purchase your MVP sticker on-line at the DNR E-Store. You may also call 517-373-9900 with a valid credit card and order your annual sticker by mail.
Here is a complete breakdown of the permit pricing for 2007:
Annual Resident: $24
Annual Non-Resident: $29
Daily Resident: $6
Daily Non-Resident: $8
Senior Annual*: $6
Towed Vehicle: $6
Commercial Coach Daily: $15
*In order to qualify for a Senior Annual permit, the individual must be over the age of 65 and must have a car registered in Michigan to establish residence. You must present documents indicating proof of age (such as a driver’s license) and vehicle registration when purchasing a Senior MVP. Parks will sell a Senior MVP when the names on these documents are the same. The Senior MVP immediately must be installed on the vehicle. These permits are not available by mail.
To reach us at the Folk School call 906-885-5545.
The Porcupine Mountains Folk School is sponsored in cooperation with the Porcupine Mountains State Park and the Friends of the Porkies, whose mission is to promote and enhance the use of the Porkies. The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources for current and future generations.
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