Next year FiftyNorth will celebrate its 50th anniversary! 

Classes & Talks, Art

Wood carving

Stretch yourself in a class on acrylics, glass fusing, or weaving or enjoy creating and conversing with others as you knit, watercolor, or hone your photography skills. Feel like spinning some yarns of the non-fiber type? Learn how to share stories from the past in a storytelling class. 

Preregister for All Classes
Phone: 507.664.3700
Online: Click on the link in the name of the class
In Person:  FiftyNorth front desk

Class Cancellation Policy
We know your time is valuable, and ours is too. Out of respect for our staff, instructors and other clients, we ask that you give us at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel. If we are able to fill your spot with someone on the waiting list, you will receive 100% refund. If we are unable to fill your spot or if you are a no show you will forfeit your registration fee.

Have an idea for a class? Contact Michelle Brant, 507.664.3707 / michelle.loken@fiftynorth.org.

 Please Check In Every Time You Attend A Class Or Group Activity. This data is needed for insurance reimbursements and is used in grant applications, space planning, and determining programming.

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Class

Pre-registration Required

Zentangle 1
Zentangle 2
Zentangle 3

ZENTANGLE WITH HEART

Monday, January 26, 2026
1:00-3:00pm
Capacity: Minimum: 3, Maximum: 12
Cost: $30 nonmember, $26 member, $10 platinum

POUR YOUR HEART INTO CREATING ZENTANGLE INSPIRED VALENTINES.

The ZENTANGLE art form will be taught using the heart shape as the focus for patterned compositions on paper.  The small papers created will then be repurposed into your personal valentines.  We will make traditional style cards and a fun “message in a box” which will contain a pop out accordion folded valentine message.

Joyce Francis, a Certified Zentangle Teacher, will lead you step-by-step, in designing striking papers and constructing spectacular valentines.  No previous experience with Zentangle is required to join this class.  It’s simple.  It’s fun.  It’s relaxing.  You will leave class inspired and with valentines ready to pop into the mail.

WHAT IS ZENTANGLE?  The concept of Zentangle is a way to practice focus and meditation through drawing repetitive lines, marks, circles, and shapes.  Patterns, called tangles, are chosen from the vast collection to be found in books and on the internet.  Each tangle pattern is broken down into 3-5 simple steps.

Joyce Francis is a calligrapher and paper artist living in Northfield, Minnesota.  A maniac for color, she has a lifetime love of paper, ink, paint, and letters.  Over the years her work has expanded beyond calligraphy into development of a line of Zentangle-inspired cards.  In October of 2011, Joyce became a “CZT”, Certified Zentangle Teacher.  She has been “tangling” ever since!

All handouts, supplies, and tools will be provided.

Instructor: Joyce Francis
Space: Room 102

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Dulcimer Instructor

Dulcimer Workshop
Wednesday, February 11, 1:00-2:00pm 
Cost: Free
Registration deadline: February 6

Ross Sutter will bring a set of easy to play one-string dulcimers so that every participant will have the opportunity to play their own instrument. In the course of just a short 45-minute workshop every participant will learn to play simple tunes on the instrument using a number system so that even those who can’t read music will be successful. 

This is a project that has been developed over the past twenty-seven years with some of the finest music teachers and classroom teachers in Minnesota. In fact, two of the people who were most instrumental in developing this workshop with Ross are retired music teachers who live in Northfield: Dr. Elizabeth Olson and Nancy Huppert. Both had long and stellar careers teaching in Minneapolis and Farmington School districts. 

For the past three years Ross has been giving monthly workshops at the Schubert Club Music Museum teaching participants of all ages, from five to eighty-five years old, how to play the one-string dulcimer. This year the staff at the Schubert Club Music Museum have decided to take the workshop on the road and will be doing workshops in Northfield and Farmington. 

To learn more about this project and see some of the instruments follow this link to Ross Sutter’s web site: https://rosssutter.com/the-dulcimer-project

This workshop is presented in partnership with Schubert Club.  
Instructor: Ross Sutter
Capacity: 30
Space: Room 103 

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Albright 1
Albright 2

ARCHITECTURAL SKETCHING AND WATERCOLOR

Thursday, February 12, 2026
1:00-4:00pm
Capacity: 5 minimum, 8 maximum
Cost: $40 nonmember, $34 member, $10 platinum
Space: Room 105
Registration Deadline: February 5
Bring along a photo of a beloved home, cabin, church, or other meaningful place and learn how to transform it into a personal watercolor keepsake. 

In this class, we’ll begin by loosely sketching the structure’s design, focusing on capturing its unique character and charm rather than precise perfection. Then we will bring the scene to life using watercolor paint.

Guided step-by-step, you’ll learn approachable techniques for architectural sketching and watercolor layering. By the end of class, you will have created your own loose watercolor 5”x7” “architectural portrait” that celebrates a special place close to your heart.
Instructor: Allison Albright

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Suncatcher

FUSED GLASS SUNCATCHER
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
10:00-11:30am
Capacity: 8 minimum, 15 maximum
Cost: $40 nonmember, $35 member, $10 Platinum
Registration deadline: February 17
Space: Room 105

Bring a piece of handcrafted light into your home with this beautiful, four-inch, fused glass suncatcher.
Crafted from carefully selected art glass, this piece features a floral design, bursting with color. When hung in a window, it captures the sunlight, casting vibrant and shimmering reflections across the room. 
•    Technique: Each piece of glass is hand-cut by the instructor and you’ll arrange it before being fired in a kiln at temperatures exceeding 1400°F (760°C). This creates a durable, smoothly finished surface.
•    Perfect For: Brightening a kitchen window, adding color to a sunny porch, or giving a unique, meaningful gift for a birthday, housewarming, or other special occasion. 
•    Hanging: Includes a secure wire loop for easy hanging.
Instructor: Geralyn Thelen

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Zentangle Egg

EGG-STRAVAGANZA: A ZENTANGLE INSPIRED ART CLASS


Monday, March 2
1:00-3:00pm
Capacity: 3 minimum, 15 maximum
Cost: $30 nonmember, $26 member, $10 Platinum
Space: Room 106
Registration deadline: February 23
Let’s give Spring a quick art start! Learn new Zentangle patterns while creating artwork that will focus on decorating an egg shape.  You will be given step by step instructions for each pattern. We’ll begin drawing patterns with black markers and then switch to colored markers to make the patterns pop. This class is guaranteed to brighten your day!  Double the pleasure by sending your artwork as a card to brighten a friend’s day.
Join Joyce Francis, Certified Zentangle Teacher, for this spring oriented Zentangle project.  No previous experience with Zentangle is required.  Just jump in and you’ll catch on quickly. Materials provided.
Instructor: Joyce Francis
 

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jewelry art

HEIRLOOM REIMAGINED: "WEARABLE STORIES"
Thursday, March 5
9:00-11:00am
Capacity: 4 minimum, 8 maximum
Cost: $45 nonmember, $40 member, $25 Platinum
Space: Used-A-Bit Furniture Shoppe  - located at: 624 Water St, River Mall, Northfield
Registration deadline: Thursday, February 26
Transform broken, forgotten, or antique jewelry pieces—including everything from single earrings to tangled chains and costume gems—into stunning, new works of art. Each design is a unique collage, preserving the history and shine of the original materials while giving them a vibrant new life as wall art or decorative objects. It's a sustainable way to keep your cherished memories sparkling.

An assortment of jewelry will be provided. If you have jewelry you would prefer to use, please bring it with you. Other supplies will be provided. Frames will be on your own. Safety glasses are recommended, please bring them if you have them. Materials provided by FiftyNorth.
Instructor: Finley Hogan-Underdahl – St. Olaf senior art education major
 

stickybHEIRLOOM REIMAGINED: "WEARABLE STORIES"
Mandala

DOT MANDALA ROCKS
Wednesday, March 11
1:00-3:00pm
Capacity: 5 minimum, 12 maximum
Cost: $40 nonmember, $34 member, $10 platinum
Space: Room 105
Registration deadline: March 6
Rocks are common canvases for mandala artists to paint on.  In this class we will paint a mandala on a rock using dots, swooshes, teardrops and other techniques.  
I will supply the rocks (which I cast myself), paint, tools and glaze and other materials for finishing your rock.  (If you were part of our first mandala class, please bring your tools.)
It will be helpful to have taken the first class but newcomers are also welcome.  
Instructor: Caroline Jones
 

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Mosaic Coasters

 MOSAIC COASTERS
Thursday, March 19
1:00-3:00pm
Capacity: 4  minimum, 10 maximum
Cost: $30 nonmember, $26 member, $10 Platinum
Space: Room 105
Registration deadline: March 12
Unplug for a few hours and discover the meditative art of mosaics! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll transform a blank base into a vibrant, functional piece of art. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or haven't picked up a glue bottle since grade school, you’ll leave with two custom coasters that are perfect for your coffee table or as a handmade gift.
Bring an apron if you wish.
Instructor: Sylvia Fleck – Junior at St. Olaf
 

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Butterfly Bookmark

WATERCOLOR & INK BOOKMARK

Tuesday, April 21
10:00-12:00pm
Capacity: 4 minimum, 12 maximum
Cost: $30 nonmember, $26 member, $10 Platinum
Space: Room 105
Registration deadline: April 10
In this class, participants will create a three-dimensional bookmark using watercolor and ink. The bookmark will stick out of the top of a book and can be designed to look like a butterfly perched on top of your book, a flower blooming from the pages, or a small bug crawling along the pages. Participants are welcome to follow examples or create their own simple design. This class is beginner-friendly and focuses on learning basic watercolor techniques and adding ink details. The goal is to make something fun, creative, and usable. No prior art experience is needed. 
Instructor: Kate Gansen – Freshman at St. Olaf
 

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Hours

HOURS

Monday – Friday, 6am – 8pm
Saturday, 7am – 4pm 
Sunday, CLOSED
 

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