The following courses are currently scheduled.
Courses are listed alphabetically by title. Join the North House E-Newsletter
to receive regular course updates.

All Hung Up - The Fabric Chair
Kurt Buetow
Session Options:
. . . 8/23/2008 - 8/24/2008
"Give someone a hanging chair and they'll find comfort for a while;  teach them to make a chair and they'll always have hang ups."  The now ubiquitous hanging canvas chair, aka the 'Sky Chair,' came from Kurt's desire to create a chair that was comfortable, lightweight and time-efficient in construction.  Thirty plus years ago, Kurt disregarded preconceived definitions of "chair" and began exploring the applied physics of support from above.  What about using the fabric weave and stitching to focus or distribute stresses to offer lower back support or make a front edge that won't dig on your legs?  Here's your opportunity to follow in Kurt's footsteps by making a hanging chair of your own.  You will sew your own chair on an industrial machine and shape the wooden crosspieces with simple hand tools.

By opposing the tensile integrity of fabric, webbing and rope with the rigidity of poles (the magic recipe!), you'll sew your own chair to make it as light or as strong as you please.  Minimally, you’ll go home with a chair to sit in.  At best, begin endless experiments with a whole new perspective on the definition of "chair."

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150      
. . . Materials Fee: $20
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
   
 
Creating & Designing Mosaics
Kelly Dupre/Jeanne Wright
Session Options:
. . . 5/31/2008 - 6/2/2008 - FULL, call for waiting list
Expect nothing short of creative chaos as we turn dishes, china and ceramic tiles into shining exemplary artistic statements.  First learn the basics of the mosaic technique - from ceramic and glass cutting techniques to get the pieces you'd like to a variety of grout types to add color and finish your work.  Each student will begin with a small project - a plant holder, a picture frame or a garden stepping stone, for example.  Once the basics are covered, the class will allow you to stretch your wings to produce one or more masterpieces with a design all your own - from coffee tables to back-splashes, chairs to computer monitors.  By the end of this course, you'll be on your way to designing murals in no time!  You may choose to either bring your own base for building a mosaic or use materials provided by the instructors.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225      
. . . Materials Fee: $30
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Intergenerational Tuition: $310/adult-child pair
. . . Level: All levels

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Fire In Your Backyard – Low-Fire Pottery Techniques
David Voorhees
Session Options:
. . . 9/26/2008 - 9/28/2008
Expand your creative palette of ceramics by exploring three different low-tech firing methods.  Understand the rich history and process of low temperature firing without glazes.  We will work as a class to build and fire our ‘kilns’ – a beachside pit-fired kiln, a stacked masonry wood-fired kiln and a propane-fired trashcan kiln that we will build during class.  Each ‘kiln’ will be put to the test as we have fun firing varying ceramic pieces and enjoying their results.  At the completion of the course, you will be prepared to use these firing techniques at home for a minimal cost.  If needed, bisque fired pots or clay sculptures will be supplied.  Or spend time forming ceramic pieces suitable for low-fire in the accompanying course - It’s All In The Hands – Techniques and Trades of Traditional Clay Formation (see separate course description).

After visiting a pottery village in West Africa several years ago, David discovered potters whose work was still formed and fired in the traditional way using coil, paddle and anvil and open pit firing.  Upon returning home, David began experimenting with hand forming techniques and primitive firing, delving further into traditional Native American ceramic techniques and tools.  Students in this course will explore the backbone to low-firing techniques.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225      
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($30)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It’s All In The Hands – Techniques and Trades of Traditional Clay Formation
David Voorhees
Session Options:
. . . 9/19/2008 - 9/21/2008
Discover a new creative level of ceramics without the expensive investment found in modern studios.   This clay forming class will inform students about hand building techniques requiring few tools and no equipment.   You will learn the traditional way using coil, paddle and anvil, as well as slab and coil vessel building to create some fascinating traditional vessel shapes.   We will use found natural objects such as beach stones and tree limbs to explore traditional surface design, drawing from a variety of historical techniques found in Native American pottery.  Pinched pots, coil vessel building, paddle and anvil forming and slip decorative techniques will all be explored through both individual and collaborative class projects.   Flash drying will be covered and finished projects may be returned to participating students.  For a complete exploration of low-tech pottery, register for accompanying course Fire In Your Backyard – Low-Fire Pottery Techniques (see separate course description).

After visiting a pottery village in West Africa several years ago, David discovered potters whose work was still formed and fired in the traditional way using coil, paddle and anvil and open pit firing.  Upon returning home, David began experimenting with hand forming techniques and primitive firing, delving further into traditional Native American ceramic techniques and tools.  Students in this course will explore these hand forming techniques in detail.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225      
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($30)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Old-Fashioned Soap Making 
Jeanne Wright
Session Options:
. . . 7/20/2008
. . . 11/1/2008
Soap - so simple, yet so misunderstood. Have you ever pondered the ingredients contained in a typical bar of soap?  Petroleum distillates, sulfates, and many other unpronounceable additives.  Whatever happened to that good ol’ fashioned soap that Grandma made?  Using the same ingredients Grandma used, animal fat and lye, learn how to make gentle, natural soaps, and explore the history and science of this cleanser. You'll leave with at least two varieties of handmade soap, information and resources, and plenty of experience to make soap at home.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 0.5
. . . Hours: 9am-1pm
. . . Tuition: $50      
. . . Materials Fee: $10
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Intergenerational Tuition: n/a
. . . Level: Beginner

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Raku Pottery - From Clay to Wheel to Kiln
Kristi Downing/John Franz/Bob LaMettry
Session Options:
. . . 6/26/2008 - 6/29/2008
Join North Shore potters Kristi Downing and John Franz for a 4-day raku experience utilizing the Art Colony clay studio, Kristi's Lake Superior Studio, and the North House campus on the Grand Marais Harbor. Students spend the first three days working on wheel throwing and hand-building techniques with John Franz at the Art Colony. Then Kristi leads the group to her Lake Superior studio to learn raku glazing and firing techniques. The course ends with an afternoon on the North House Folk School campus learning how to build a backyard kiln. This workshop is for all levels of clay enthusiasts.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 4
. . . Hours: 9am-4:30pm
. . . Tuition: $275     
. . . Materials Fee: $20 for clay and bisque firing plus $20-$40 for raku glaze and firing
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
          
Raku Pottery Experience
Kristi Downing
Session Options:
. . . 6/7/2008  
. . . 6/12/2008  
. . . 6/18/2008  
. . . 7/9/2008  
. . . 7/25/2008  
. . . 7/26/2008  
. . . 8/5/2008  
. . . 8/16/2008  
. . . 8/17/2008
Experience the thrill, alchemy and magic of the ancient pottery process called "raku."  Making pots is typically a multi-step process that takes time and patience. This class is for those who want immediate gratification with an extravagant outcome!  A variety of pots will be ready for students to glaze and fire in the outdoor raku kiln, then the drama begins.  Watch your red hot pot come out of the kiln, go into chambers of sawdust and newspaper and immediately burst into flames.  After about 15 minutes, we plunge them into icy Lake Superior water and scrub away the soot to reveal the amazing colors and crackles underneath. By the end of the day, students will have at least two one-of-a-kind artworks to take home.

We’ll work both inside the studio and out - finding inspiration on the beach, in the woods and from the big lake itself. Come prepared for smoke, fire and lots of fun!  For those who have had previous raku experience, you'll have more time to "play with fire" since less time will be spent on teaching glazing and firing techniques.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 9:30am-4pm
. . . Tuition: $75      
. . . Materials Fee: Varies $15-$40 per pot ($7.50 - $20 per pot if you bring your own bisque ware)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: All Levels

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
        
Twig Furniture - Plant Stand and Garden Trellis
Paula Sundet
Session Options:
. . . 5/17/2008 - 5/18/2008
Transform your brush trimmings into a useful, intriguing garden addition that your vining plants and flowers will simply love.  In this course you will learn the craft of rustic twig furniture by working with native brush species including red osier dogwood, willow and alder to handcraft your own plant stand and garden trellis. You'll use simple hand tools to discover a variety of twig furniture joinery techniques including the woven and entwined method, and the nailed stick method.  A field trip will provide an opportunity to identify useful brush and tree species and to cut and gather materials for additional projects.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150       
. . . Materials Fee: $10
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Twig Furniture - The Chair 
Paula Sundet
Session Options:
. . . 4/25/2008 - 4/27/2008- FULL, call for waiting list
. . . 10/10/2008 - 10/12/2008
Learn the traditional craft of twig furniture by making your own alder and willow chair.  In this course you will work with native alder and willow following a basic twig chair design that can be personally individualized with curved, bent, or straight twig furniture techniques.  A field trip will provide an opportunity to gather some of the materials that will personalize each chair, in addition to providing a chance to field identify twig furniture materials.

During the first day of class, students will construct a basic chair frame using materials provided by instructor.  On the following morning, students will take a morning field trip to identify brushwood species and to gather materials for the chair seat and back.  By afternoon, students will start constructing the seat and back using gathered materials.  By day three students will finish their chair and talk about other applications such as foot stools, tables, etc.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: Apr - $195; Oct - $225      
. . . Materials Fee: $10
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     
Working Horn, Bone, Antler - Traditions and Techniques
Harley Refsal
Session Options:
. . . 8/1/2008 - 8/3/2008
Horns, bone and antler from the Bovidae family are perfect for making a wide variety of utilitarian objects and they’ve been carved among northerners since the Stone Age. In this course Harley Refsal presents this new folk art medium to help you make everything from shoehorns to spoons to decorative jewelry. You’ll explore the world and techniques of working horn, bone and antler to open a door to a fascinating tradition.

Most widely known for his devotion to Scandinavian-style flat plane figure carving, Harley Refsal brings you this new folk art medium - carving and working horn, bone and antler.  These malleable and shapeable materials were the 'first plastics'.  Soft and malleable when heated, hard and consistent when cooled, horns from the Bovidae family (including cattle, sheep, goats and bison) are perfect for participants to a wide variety of utilitarian objects.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225      
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($10-$25)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Intergenerational Tuition:
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced