Arts News

Warroad RiverPlace offers Plein Air Watercolor Workshop with Debbie Dahl Aune July 16
Plein Air Watercolor with Debbie Dahl Aune
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 3 PM 6 PM
Watercolor has a mind of its own, but, with a bit of clever direction and a few tools from ‘the junk drawer,’ you can find much satisfaction and success. Join current RiverPlace gallery artist Debbie Dahl Aune as she and the participants take to the outdoors (“en plein air”) with simple masking techniques, some splatter painting fun, and a couple of basic design/composition rules to paper.
“Plein air” is Impressionist painting “in the open air.” This course will take place outdoors, if weather permits.
Optional: Bring bug spray and sunscreen if you think you’ll need it. Bring a lawn chair if you'd like; stools are provided.
15 Seats | Ages 16+ | $45 (all painting equipment and materials provided)

Warroad RiverPlace Pottery Classes with Betsy Saurdiff July 9 & 12
Pottery Classes with Betsy Saurdiff
Handbuilt Clay Trinket Tray Workshop Wednesday, July 9, 2025 from 3 PM to 5 PM
Join featured RiverPlace gallery potter Betsy Saurdiff for a hands-on workshop where you'll create a custom trinket tray to hold your treasures. Learn simple slab construction and sgraffito techniques (carving through underglaze). No experience necessary—all materials provided.
16 Seats | Ages 14+ | $40 ticket (all necessary tools, materials, and firings provided)
Where: Warroad RiverPlace
Handbuilt Clay Tumbler Workshop Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 1:00 PM 3:00 PM
Join featured RiverPlace gallery potter Betsy Saurdiff for a hands-on pottery workshop where you'll create a functional tumbler—perfect for your favorite drink. Learn basic slab construction and sgraffito techniques (carving through colored underglaze). No experience necessary—all materials provided.
16 Seats | Ages 14+ | $40 ticket (all necessary tools, materials, and firings provided)

Writing Workshop with Hallock Author Jeanne Cooney September 14
Register for this writing workshop with Hallock author Jeanne Cooney. The workshop will be held on September 14.

Upcoming Springboard Offerings for Artists — Virtual Session
Check out these virtual session from Springboard for the Arts!
Ask Me Anything: Small Business Storefronts
Join at 12pm Central Time on Monday, May 20 for a virtual conversation about opening an arts-centered store in a small town or city!
Discover the world of wholesale and learn about the logistics of owning or renting a downtown building with Fergus Falls-based small business owners Blayze Buseth, owner of Creation Shop, and Jan Werkau, owner of SoapWerks Naturals and Creative Handmade Goods. The conversation will be moderated by Emily Kurash Casey, Director of Community Programs and Minnesota Main Street Statewide Coordinator at Rethos.
“Ask Me Anything” events are held throughout the year with Springboard’s Artist Career Consultants (ACCs) or staff and guest artists/presenters. Stay updated on our events calendar for more conversations in this ongoing series.
Register
Additional Upcoming Offerings for Artists
Copyright Essentials
Thursday, May 16
6:00-7:30pm Central Time
Virtual (Zoom)
FREE
What is a copyright and do you need one to protect your work? In this free virtual Work of Art+ workshop, a staff member from Springboard’s Minnesota Lawyers for the Arts (MnLA) program will cover the legal basics of copyrights for visual and performing artists. Presented in partnership with Dakota County Library.
Grant Writing
Tuesday, May 14
6:00-8:30pm Central Time
Virtual (Zoom)
FREE
In this virtual Work of Art workshop, you'll learn the essentials of writing a grant proposal and get tips for searching for grants to fund your artistic practice. Free, and open to artists of all disciplines!
For more workshops and to register visit https://springboardforthearts.org/events/

Work of Art workshops by Springboard
New Work of Art workshops
Springboard’s winter series of Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists has begun! This professional development curriculum is designed to teach business skills to artists of all disciplines and experience levels. You are welcome to take the entire series, or take the workshops that best suit your needs. Workshops range from creating your artistic portfolio, grant writing, funding, career planning, pricing your work, and more! The Work of Art series has been taught by Springboard for the Arts at arts organizations, libraries and colleges in over 80 communities in the Upper Midwest, and replicated across the country by artists, arts organizations, and colleges and universities. You can also download the Work of Art curriculum for free, or you can buy a copy of the book to support your practice.
Already taken Work of Art? Then join them for Work of Art+, a continuation of the series that offers an even deeper dive on a library of topics. Their next workshop, Website Basics for Artists, will take place virtually on Saturday, February 3. They'll discuss whether you need to build a website for your artistic practice, and where and how to get started if you do. Presented in partnership with the Hennepin County Library.

Louisville Days Fall Festival September 23 with arts workshop
Louisville Days is September 23. Take a painting workshop with Artist Christine Foster!