Art Classes:
please scroll down - class descriptions appear chronologically!

 

Make Your Own Drum!
Saturday, February 4: 10am-3pm.
Cost: Medium Drum (13"): $125; Large Drum (16"): $145.

Make Your Own Drum at Crossings
Anyone can make a drum!


Instructor Wayne Manthey returns by popular demand
to teach a day-long drum-making workshop at Crossings.

Using a cedar frame and deer hide, you will create your own handmade, single-sided drum. What you will walk away with is more than just a drum. Wayne Manthey will take you on a journey to create a very special instrument using ancient techniques.

Here's what Wayne says: "The healing properties of a drum are found in the elements that make it: wood and animal hide. Making personal frame drums is a journey that is individually and spiritually meaningful. Teaching drum making classes involves storytelling and introspection. The drum symbolizes the heartbeat of life, the heartbeat of community. It is not simply an art form, but a tool for cleansing, centering and focusing one’s intentions for health and happiness."
Tying up the leather and dipping it into black walnut dye is fun...but pulling it out to see what images are revealed on your drum is incredible. Everyone's drum is so different!

 

In his early experiences with drumming, Wayne was moved by the healing sound drums produce - a deep, rich reverberation that generated a feeling of physical and emotional well-being. He searched for a drum that would have this special sound, but when he was unable to find exactly what he wanted, he decided to make his own. In the process, he discovered that the act of making the drum was profoundly healing. Since then he has guided hundreds of others through the process of making their own personal drums.

 

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Creative Weaving with Nancy Ellison
Mondays, February 6, 13 and 20: 7-9pm.
Cost: 3 sessions: $68.

Explore many types of traditional and contemporary weaving
that can easily be done on small looms!

This three-session workshop will provide you with rich opportunities for weaving small projects that can be used as scarves, tote bags, pillows, runners and wall hangings. You'll have fun exploring and employing various techniques, resulting in border designs or abstract or pictorial scenes.

Explore many types of traditional and contemporary weaving that can easily be done on small looms. Try out and compare rigid heddle, Two-harness or Four-harness looms.

All experience levels. Plenty of looms for everyone to use or borrow - and even to take home to work on projects!

Students may bring in their own table loom or rigid heddle loom, or borrow a loom from us. We'll have yarn for you to choose from, for a small fee, or you can bring some of your own yarn scraps. 12 x 16" looms will be available for purchase for $35, should you decide that you want your own.

Nancy Ellison is the owner of Ellison Sheep Farm in Zumbrota. Her work has received awards at state and national levels. She first studied weaving while at the University of Oslo, Norway. She now conducts lessons, demonstrations and workshops.

 

 

 

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Watercolor Workshop with Dan Wiemer: "Strong and Simple"
Wednesdays, February 8, 15 and 29: 6-9pm.
Cost: $96 plus self-supplied materials

Finding a Way by Dan Wiemer

Beginning to Advanced students will all benefit from and enjoy this workshop. Dan's workshops are progressive, which means you will advance and cover new material in each one. Dan's workshops are fun and fast-paced!

Dan will demonstrate and explain how to “see it, simplify it, and state it”. He'll walk you through his process of creating a blueprint beforehand which will free you up when it's time to apply paint. Students will do several smaller studies before painting a larger piece.

This workshop will cover essential techniques such as how to become a better shape maker. You'll learn how to 'build' shapes, strengthening your design skills as well as painting skills. Good painters are also good designers. Students will learn concepts that allow them to find strong abstract shapes in scenes, as well as learn about the different types of contrasts and how they add drama to a painting.

Hopefully this will be an energizing and different approach to your next subject. This will be a fun 3-session workshop where you'll be learning and sharing with other artists. “There is no roadmap to making better art…hopefully we can get lost, find a new route and enjoy the journey.”

Click here for the suggested supplies list

Instructor Dan Wiemer is an award-winning artist and illustrator who lives in Red Wing MN. He was trained as a graphic designer and has painted in watermedia most of his life. Dan is a past president of the Minnesota Watercolor Society and has taught classes and workshops for twenty years. Dan traveled to China on an artist exchange program where he taught western watercolor and learned from his eastern counterparts. He couldn’t speak the language, but he could communicate through his watercolor and that translated well.

 

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Introduction to Encaustic Painting
Saturday, February 18: 9am-Noon.
Cost: $98. Everything you need is included!

Hot Wax >>>>> Cool Art!

Experience the magic of an ancient art form! Encaustic is composed of beeswax, tree resin, and oil pigment, applied hot and fused to create a beautiful, translucent and striking surface. It was used 2500 years ago by the Egyptians to paint the famous mummy portraits and is being rediscovered by contemporary artists.

Learn the basics of encaustic painting, a unique art using heated, pigmented beeswax to create distinctive work. Experience making your own encaustic paint, mixing colors on a hot palette, fusing layers, incising and scraping and creating texture and transparency. Plus the basics about equipment and tools, various substrates and safety issues.

For both beginning and experienced artists.

Instructor Margaret Berry returned to studio work after serving as Executive Director of the Arts Council and Education Director of the University Place Art Center, both in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Berry began painting in encaustic in 2003 after many years as a fiber artist. Encaustic is the oldest and most durable form of painting, used by the Egyptians to make mummy portraits and the Greeks to adorn and protect their ships. She combines local beeswax with oil pigments to make a hot paint. Some paintings also incorporate photos, objects and oil stick. In addition to serving as an artist-in-residence for the Nebraska Arts Council, she teaches encaustic workshops throughout the Midwest. Berry is a charter member of International Encaustic Artists and her work is featured this year in shows in New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, Iowa, Colorado and Nebraska.

Visit Margaret Berry's website to see more of her work and to learn more about encaustic!!

Encaustics: Advanced Techniques Workshop
Saturday, February 18, 1-4:30pm
& Sunday, February 19, 10am-4:30pm.
Cost: $195. Includes all materials. ($175 for those who also take Introduction to Encaustics.)

Learn more about hot wax techniques including image transfer, photo manipulation, molds, collage, assemblage, monotypes, and incorporating oil pigment sticks! There will be step-by-step demonstrations plus time to work on several pieces. Previous experience suggested.

'Cone Ecstasy' - a good example on display at Crossings
by accomplished encaustic painter Mary Solberg

Explore brushing, scraping, layering and pouring wax on a variety of supports. See how to combine encaustic with other mediums such as photography, printmaking and collage.

Sensuous textures, lustrous depth, and the smell and feel of beeswax will convert you to this versatile and fascinating medium.

If you have a simple black and white or color photocopy of a photograph that you really want to use in a collage or photo encaustic work, feel free to bring it. Any size up to 8 1/2 x 11 will do.

Local and country lodging is available for as low as $44/night.
Contact Marie at Crossings for options: 507-732-7616.

 

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Make a Stamped Silver Bracelet
Saturday, February 25: 9am-Noon.
Cost: $44 + $30 materials fee

Skill level: Beginners and up!

Want to play with hammers? This class is for you. Learn to saw, file, stamp, and drill silver-filled sheet metal to make either a cuff style or ID style bracelet.

There will be a huge assortment of stamps, letters, numbers, patterns and even design-it-yourself wire stamps for you to play with. Walk out wearing your own creation!

 

Instructor Jennifer Wolcott has been teaching small-scale glass fusing, lampworking, and silversmithing for over ten years. Prior to that she spent more than twenty years as an engineer in industry happily figuring out how to make printed circuits better-faster-smaller-tougher-more and figuring out what went wrong when they failed.

 

And the fun does not stop at 12! Make it a day and learn about Glass Bead Lampworking with Jennifer in the afternoon. $8 discount if you take both classes!

Learn to Make Glass Beads with a Torch (Lampworking)
Saturday, February 25: 1-4pm.
Cost: $44 + $30 materials fee

Skill level: Beginners and up for ages 16 and above.

What fun! Melt glass rods with a torch and turn the molten glass into beads. In just three hours add polka dots, swirls and stripes in glowing colors.

The skills from this class can mean freedom for the jewelry artist. No more searching for beads in the color and pattern you need. Now you can make them yourself!

It can be an introduction to other hot glass techniques or increase your understanding and appreciation of the beauty and skill of glass work.

 

 

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Welded Metal Garden Sculptures
Saturday, February 25, 2012: 9am-3pm.
Cost: $98 + $68 materials fee

This workshop is also being offered the next day:
Sunday , February 26, 2012: 9am-3pm.
Cost: $98 + $68 materials fee

Sign up for both days and save $10 on materials costs!

Participants must be at least 18 years of age. (16-17 years ok if accompanied by an adult.)

Learn how to weld AND create a variety of different sculptures for your garden!

Class participant Nancy Driscoll
made this elegant and intricate garden sculpture!

Ever wanted to learn how to operate a MIG wire feed welder or a stick welder? You are in luck! Using these, plus oxy-acetylene and grinders, you will learn how to create your own garden decorations. Metal artist extraordinaire Kelly Ludeking will take you step-by-step through the processes.

Everyone, from the complete novice as well as experienced metal workers, will enjoy this opportunity to try their hands at this rewarding craft. Students are encouraged to bring along their own found steel or cast-iron objects that they would like to incorporate into their own unique garden object of art.

This class is made possible by, and will be held 2 blocks away from Crossings at the state of the art welding shop of our generous neighbors, Custom Iron. Custom Iron metal crafters create spiral stairways and unique stair and balcony railings for fine homes throughout the US.

Please bring a sack lunch for this day-long class, and wear all natural fiber clothing, long-sleeves, and pants without cuffs! Safety glasses are required at all times – even under welding helmets. Bring your welding or tough leather gloves if you have them. A Custom Iron representative and the instructor will talk about shop safety and cover the equipment and hand tools provided.

Kelly will also provide a variety of different size of metal rods, tubes and solid stock. Each student will leave with a piece of art they created that day and the knowledge of how to use their new skills again.
Learn more about Kelly and his creations here!

 

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4 Harness Weaving with Nancy Ellison
Mondays, March 5, 12 & 19: 7-9pm.
Cost: 3 sessions: $68.

Explore 4 Harness looms! Beginning and experienced weavers will enjoy this class.

This three-session workshop will provide you with opportunities to try various weaves such as twills, rosepath, boundweave, and Nancy's favorite: Scandinavian Krokbragd. You'll have a variety of mug rugs to show for all of the fun you'll have in class!

Students may bring in their own 4 Harness Loom, or you may let Nancy know if you are planning on using looms she brings to class. The looms will be warped in various weave structures.

Nancy Ellison is the owner of Ellison Sheep Farm in Zumbrota. Her work has received awards at state and national levels. She first studied weaving while at the University of Oslo, Norway. She now conducts lessons, demonstrations and workshops.

 

 

 

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Make a Needle-Felted Sweater
Saturday, March 10: 1-4pm.
Cost: $40 plus $12 materials fee

Learn the craft of needle felting! You'll be all set to embellish a tired sweater or personalize a knit vest, making it a work of art.

You can bring a sweater of your own, or purchase one from the instructor for $10-12.
Needle felting is a fairly new craft based on an old industrial technique. In the class, you will learn about various felting methods, types of feltable fibers, and where to purchase supplies.

Although needle felting is similar to painting with fiber, you do not need to be able to draw to make beautiful felted items; after completing this class, you will be able to embellish your own clothing or household items and make lovely gifts for others.

Instructor Amy Giannini has needle felted hundreds of items, incorporating fiber into her jewelry designs as well. You can view her work at MorningStarArts.etsy.com.

 

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Enameling on Metal - with a Kiln
Saturday, March 17: 9am-Noon.
Cost: $44 + $30 materials fee

Skill level: Beginners and up for ages 16 and above.

Learn the timeless art of melting glass on metal!
Enamels have long been used to decorate the surface of metal objects, originally as a substitute for more costly precious or semiprecious stones, but later as a decorative medium in their own right because of their beauty and durability.

Now you can learn how to make beautiful enameled finishes on copper, brass, steel or silver. This is a fun introductory class which will give you a solid foundation of the basic skills needed to start creating your own masterpieces.

Students can expect to make several spectacular pieces that can be incorporated into jewelry and other decorative art.

The class covers basic small-scale enameling techniques including cleaning the metal, counter enamel, the use of stencils, underglazes, utilizing colored enamel pencils and paints, holding compounds, and even how to run the kiln! Everything you'll need is provided in class.

Instructor Jennifer Wolcott has been teaching small-scale glass fusing, lampworking, and silversmithing for over ten years. Prior to that she spent more than twenty years as an engineer in industry happily figuring out how to make printed circuits better-faster-smaller-tougher-more and figuring out what went wrong when they failed.

 

And the fun does not stop at 12! Make it a day and expand your enameling skills with Jennifer in the afternoon. $8 discount if you take both classes!

Enameling on Metal - with a Torch
Saturday, March 17: 1-4pm.
Cost: $44 + $30 materials fee

Skill level: some experience (kiln class suggested but not required)

This class will be a continuation of the morning enameling course, but rather than melting the glass in a kiln, you'll be using torches instead. The torch oxidizes and blends the pigments, creates patterns and causes chemical reactions that are not achievable with kiln firing!

Your finished works are perfect elements for jewelry, buttons or pulls.

Students will be able to try out some additional materials like paints and pencils, frit and stencils and then fire the pieces with a torch. Copper blanks will supplied, and for a boost of flair, brass and silver blanks and cloisonné wire will be available for sale.

 

 

 

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Make Your Own Seamless Felted Slippers
Saturday, March 24: 9:30am-4pm (1/2 hour lunch break).
Cost: $75 plus $30 materials fee.

Please bring: a sharp scissors, a yard stick, 2-3 bath towels and a permanent marker.

A pair of felted wool slippers is not only the most comfortable pair of slippers you own, but it is also a great way to add the techniques of using a resist and shifting shape to your feltmaking know-how.

Anyone can make beautiful felted 3-dimensional objects - including personalized, unique wearables. In this class you'll learn how to turn a two-dimensional felted package into a three-dimensional finished project. We will use wool fiber, a piece of plastic, soap, water and an upper body workout to create a pair of seamless slippers. No sewing or assembly is required.

 

Instructor Jill Lynn has been teaching feltmaking workshops and classes since early 2008 and really enjoys sharing her process. In fact, the use of the process and a good deal of play are an important component to Jill's teaching. When you come to a class with her be prepared to learn as you go. You can obtain a great deal of control over what is happening under your hands while make a felted piece, but there are always surprises. So let's play.

 

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Point Zero Painting Workshop
Thursday through Sunday, March 29 through April 1, 2012: 10am-6pm each day.
Cost: $395.

Crossings will be closed to the public during this four-day workshop.

Point Zero Painting, with its emphasis on process, not product, is a method of self-exploration and spiritual discovery, rather than a traditional painting class. A sense of trust and integration can be gained as unexpected images emerge.

Imagine giving oneself the time and space to fully express
without care or concern for opinion, judgment or fear.
Imagine being in a group setting where freedom to explore
to be true to one's inner voice, to learn to trust one's own instincts
is emphasized over getting approval, producing
or performing for some outer source.
Finally, imagine all this happening through the power of creativity,
the simple and pure act
of painting.

Intuition becomes your guide.

As we take risks to express ourselves, no comments, judgments or critiques are allowed. A mutual support is engendered. Group cohesiveness is formed as we enter into the sacredness of the creative moment. We find that we are very similar in unique ways. There is a lot of play around the paint table, and laughter is often heard. A strong bond naturally occurs. We find a communion in the heart of the painters community.

Debbie Purdy, M.A.A.T., L.C.P.C., is an art therapist, and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and teacher of the Point Zero Painting Process as described in the books by Michele Cassou, Life, Paint and Passion, and Point Zero. She has a studio in Elmhurst, a suburb of Chicago, and has taught with Michele Cassou in Chicago, Boulder, New York and Taos. She herself has been painting in this process for over 10 years.

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Bezel It, Baby! Learn to Make Silver Settings
Sunday, April 22: Noon-3pm.
Cost: $44 + $30 materials fee

Create your own work of art in just 3 hours!

Learn to construct a silver bezel setting using flat silver bezel wire to hold a flat-backed piece of stone, fused glass or whatever bit of delight you want to use for your piece. With this bezeled setting you can create pendants, rings, buttons, or pins, depending on the style of bezel you choose to make.

Students should bring a piece to set (cabochon shape, glass stone, fused glass, etc) or any type of precious stone of convex hemispherical or oval form, polished but not cut into facets. Jennifer will also have cabochons available for sale for use with this project.

Instructor Jennifer Wolcott has been teaching small-scale glass fusing, lampworking, and silversmithing for over ten years. Prior to that she spent more than twenty years as an engineer in industry happily figuring out how to make printed circuits better-faster-smaller-tougher-more and figuring out what went wrong when they failed.

 

 

 

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Learn to make a concrete statue in this 2-day workshop with award-winning folk artist Wouterina "Riana" DeRaad. You'll learn techniques in this workshop that are not taught in any other schools or books! Bring a pair of part-rubber/part-cloth gloves and a face mask to class. Everything else you'll need is supplied.

During the first day of this workshop, participants will be making a multi-layered metal armature, which will be cemented in the following day. You will learn how to cut and shape the metal lathe and when and how to use reinforcements. There will be a demonstration on the various cementing techniques, discussions on cement formulas, and what pigments to use for coloring cement.

You can even go one step further and embellish your concrete sculpture with mosaic tile. Rianna's Mosaic 2-day workshop will take place in October!

Since 1988 Wouterina has created more than 40 figures that make up a sculpture garden at her home in Beldenville, WI. Wouterina's award-winning sculpture gardens have been featured on “Rebecca’s Garden” and “The Wisconsin Gardener” on Wisconsin Public Television, and in numerous publications including Midwest Living, Minnesota Monthly, Wisconsin Trails Magazine, Country Gardens, Minnesota Horticulturist, and the Folk Art Messenger.

A little about Riana: "I like for my statues to provoke imagination, to look naive and old, as though they have been here for many years. Beauty, function and longevity are my main objectives. Most statues have a welded steel frame and two layers of a metal mesh for strength, followed by one or two layers of concrete. To make the mosaics, pottery shards, glass, pebbles and various other objects are applied with a tile adhesive. Most pieces are finished with a grout."

View Riana's online gallery for inspiration and amazement at her website !

Please also check out the frequently asked questions and answers about Rianna's workshops.

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Batik Weekend Workshop
Saturday, September 29, 9am-4pm
Sunday, September 30, 9am-4pm
Cost: $148 + $20 materials fee

Make colorful, intriguing pieces of art by applying hot molten wax and dye in layers on cloth!

Beginners as well as the experienced batiker will find this workshop enjoyable.

The instructor, Deb Johnson, will guide you through the process using brushes, stamps, stencils and other tools specific to batik. Participants can expect to have created at least 4 complete pieces of art cloth by the end of the two day workshop, ready to frame or hang on a dowel or rod!

Dyes, wax, tools, and fabric will be supplied.

Please bring to class:
1. 3 pieces of cardboard no larger than 16 X 20
2. 2 rolls wax paper
3. Scissors
4. 1 roll paper towel
5. Masking tape
6. 3 inch stack of newspapers – shiny pages removed
7. 1 pair rubber gloves

Deb Johnson maintains an individual studio, and has collaborated on many projects including exhibits, an indigo dyeing business, and has developed workshops loaded with information, inspiration and fun!

 

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• Bring non porous materials to tile with if your project will reside outside all year around
• Please break your tile (tessarae) before coming to the workshop. An easy way to do this is fold an
  old towel several times, lay your tile /dish glazed side facing down in between the folds, and break it with a hammer. (Kind of fun!) Don't forget to wear safety glasses.
• We will be using a cement-based tile adhesive, so please don't bring metal or painted wood to tile on.

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Open Studio - Life Drawing

Open Studio - Life Drawing sessions at Crossings
Scheduled sessions take place from 1 to 4 pm.

Upcoming sessions: February 12, March 11, April 15.

Life Drawing is $18 per session or $30 for two. Includes model fee.

“Life Drawing is at once the most frustrating and satisfying art form that an artist can undertake”
- artist Mike Schad of Zumbro Falls.

The ‘Open Studio-Life Drawing’ sessions are a great opportunity for artists, at any level of expertise, to practice and hone their skills, and expand their ability to "see." Professional and emerging artists, as well as fine art students developing their portfolios, motivate each other with their own abilities, critiques, and encouragement. Each artist works independently in the medium of their choice.

Live models, natural light, welcoming and creative setting.

 

 

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Body-Mind-Spirit Classes:
please scroll down - class descriptions appear chronologically

Prana Flow Yoga is an energetic, creative, full-spectrum vinyasa style of yoga pioneered by world-known yoga teacher Shiva Rea and her Global Collective of Teachers. Students of all levels are empowered to experience prana- the universal source of breath, life energy and conscious intelligence- as the navigating source of yoga practice and vital living. Classes will include aspects of the teachings of Krishnamacharya, Tantra, Ayurveda and Bhakti, in addition to paying attention to what is currently happening on a personal, local and global level, to utilize inner intelligence to find balance between strength and fluidity, skill and intuition, and activation and receptivity.

Instructor Heather Ritenour-Sampson is a certified Prana Flow yoga teacher. She has studied extensively with her teacher, Shiva Rea, and has a passion for relating all aspects of life into her yoga practice, and vice versa. She celebrates the experience of being human as an opportunity to embrace chaos and peace, humor and devotion, strength and surrender, simultaneously!

 

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Kundalini Yoga
Thursday, February 23: 6:30-7:30pm.
Cost: $10. Day of class: $14. Please call to check availability.

Join us at Crossings for a special one-day session of Kundalini yoga!
Opening the Heart Through Movement and Sound

This class will offer techniques to revitalize the body and increase enthusiasm; yoga postures and exercises and mantra for beginners and more advanced students.

We recommend you to bring a mat and/or pillow to sit on and something to cover yourself like a small blanket.

Kundalini yoga is a physical and meditative discipline focusing on psycho-spiritual growth, comprising a set of techniques that employ the mind, senses and body to create a communication between mind and body. Relax and stimulate your being with this ancient “mother of yogas,” which includes postures, exercises, breathing techniques, mantras and philosophies of living, perception, service and diet. No belief system is required or excluded. Come with an open mind and loose, comfortable clothes.

The tone is very relaxed and cordial with opportunity at the end for questions and conversation. Suitable for beginners and intermediate/advanced students.

Instructor Bhagwant Khalsa studied Kundalini yoga in an ashram setting from 1970 to 1999 in the Boston and Washington DC areas while building a thriving landscape gardening practice. He’s studied hands-on healing in several modalities and done multiple residential workshops in meditation, movement, group dynamics, and Native American ceremony. His occasional Minnesota and Wisconsin classes in recent years have brought requests for him to return.

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Language Classes:
Several times a year we offer eight-week sessions in various languages such as
Spanish, French, or Chinese.

 

 

 

 

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Inkslingers Outcry!

You write.
You edit.
You wonder what others would think.
Find out now!

Open and beneficial to all writers, whether you're just starting or an advanced-level, published author.

 

We’ve been researching your wishes and redesigning our offerings to better suit your needs and desires. After carefully considering your valuable input we are establishing the following guidelines to our monthly Inkslingers evenings, starting in February, 2012:

1. Annual membership is $96 ($8/session), payable in two installments, with the first meeting of each year in February. Membership allows writers to attend up to 12 Inkslingers nights, held on the second Thursday of each month from 7-9pm. Drop-in attendance will be $12. As always, all writers are welcome to attend or become members!

2. Presenters/discussion: Our second-Thursday-night events will no longer use paid presenters. Instead, each month will feature a topic for discussion prepared by a member. Members may choose any topic and may design an optional writing exercise for the group. Topics and exercises should be made available to Crossings three months in advance. If a member is unable to attend the meeting for which they are scheduled to lead discussion, Crossings staff will facilitate instead.

3. The second hour of Inkslingers evenings will be for sharing of short pieces with the opportunity to talk about the work with fellow members and receive comments, reactions, and critique/suggestions. This time may also be used to ask a writing-related question of members.

4. Crossings will remain responsible for communications and promotion of Inkslingers, using Writers Updates, the Crossings website, brochures and posters to spread the word about topics to be covered, optional writing exercises, etc.

Of course, Crossings will continue to bring you classes by experienced writers and members of the publishing world! As always, we welcome your ideas for people, topics, and types of offerings. Thank you for the support you’ve given our programming for writers!

 

Writing Classes and Outcry! Events
please scroll down - class descriptions appear chronologically

 

Writers Conference II with Author, Pulitzer Prize winner and Loft Literary Center Instructor Alison McGhee
Saturday, March 3, 1-4pm.

Level: Beginning to Advanced Writers

Enjoy an afternoon designed not only to inspire you as a writer, but to build a program tailored to strengthening the skills you need to reach your goals. Author, Pulitzer Prize winner and Loft Literary Center instructor Alison McGhee will present, “Remembering Why We Write,” focusing on finding and keeping our internal compasses as writers. There will be time for questions after her talk. Writers of all experience levels are encouraged to attend.

Alison is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. She writes for all ages and in all forms, from poetry and stories to novels and picture books and essays, and her books are popular with critics and readers alike. Her novel Shadow Baby was a Today Show Book Club pick and her picture book Someday was featured on NPR.

All attendees will receive a directory of those participating in the conference and will have the opportunity to briefly introduce themselves to the group. We’ll break into groups to develop lists of specific classes, events and activities writers want to participate in, and which instructors, writers and industry professionals they want to learn from.

We’ll manage to wedge some fun into the schedule and, after the conclusion, we invite you to stay for a little informal networking with your writing colleagues at the Coffee Mill on Main Street. If you love ‘70s pop rock, stay on for the Saturday night concert, “Rumours & Dreams: The Music of Fleetwood Mac.” A fabulous group of musicians will perform all the greatest hits of this British-American band at the Zumbrota State Theatre next door!

1-1:30 One-minute introductions by each attendee.

1:30-2:15 Alison McGhee
2:15-2:30 Q&A with Alison

2:30-2:45 Sharing Time! Bring a limerick, haiku, cinquain, open verse etc. – no longer than 5 lines, about your writing life, a character you’re working on or have created, your next or current project.

2:45-3:15 Break into three groups: beginner, intermediate, advanced. (You choose which group you’ll join.) This is your opportunity to guide Crossings’ writing program to make sure we are tailoring classes and events to meet your needs! What keeps you from attending; what makes you want to come?

3:15-3:45 Whole-room feedback about group choices.

3:45-4 Conclusion

 

Get Lost! A Discovery-Based Generative Workshop
Saturday, March 24, 10am-1pm.
Cost: $35.

Level: Beginning to Advanced Writers

Stretch your writing muscles! Whether you write poetry, fiction or creative nonfiction, join Jenny Dunning for a generative workshop using a discovery-based creative process.

In Haruki Murakami’s novel Kafka on the Shore, Nataka and Hoshino only find the place they’re looking for when they get lost. This could be a metaphor for the writing process: you have to lose your way to find the deeper subject. In the workshop we’ll use sound, images, and characters to discover the deeper subject you didn’t know you were writing about. You’ll leave the workshop with new work-in-progress, and with new ideas about how to practice the art of writing. The workshop will include generative meditations and exercises, peer review, and consultation with the instructor.

Jenny Dunning’s short stories and essays have appeared in many literary magazines, including Literary Mama, the North Dakota Quarterly, the Connecticut Review, and the Beloit Fiction Journal. Her stories have been finalists for Glimmer Train and Narrative Magazine contests, and “Reva” received Special Mention in the 2008 Pushcart anthology. She also publishes articles on teaching creative writing. Jenny teaches creative writing at St. Olaf College and is working on her first novel. She lives in Northfield with her husband, border collie, cat, and three chickens.

 

Shaping the Page with Minnesota Poet Laureate Joyce Sutphen
Saturday, April 14, 1-4pm
Cost: $75.

Level: Beginning to Advanced Writers

Poetry is always a shape on the page. Whether it is a rectangular prose box, a series of couplets, or a continuous descent of lines of varying lengths, the effect is that we enter into the poem’s structure in much the same way we enter a room in a house.

We take in the content of the poem (its meaning, its message to us), but we are also affected by the way things are arranged: how they look and sound. One of the pleasures of writing poetry is learning to shape the “room” of the poem in various ways.

This workshop is for writers at all levels of experience who would like the chance to consider the more technical aspects of poetry, who welcome the chance to talk about the intricacies of meter and line, and who would enjoy experimenting with a variety of poetic forms (sonnets, villanelles, sestinas, ghazals—to name a few). Although this workshop will acquaint participants with strategies associated with poetic expression (rhyme, meter, assonance, alliteration, and metaphor, for example), the main purpose of the time will be to draft new poems while working on craft.

Joyce Sutphen teaches literature and creative writing at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. Her books include Straight Out of View (Beacon Press, 1995, republished by Holy Cow! Press in 2001), Coming Back to the Body (Holy Cow! Press, 2000), Naming the Stars (Holy Cow! Press 2004), and First Words (Red Dragonfly Press, 2010). In 2005, Red Dragonfly Press published Fourteen Sonnets in a letterpress edition. She is one of the co-editors of To Sing Along the Way, an anthology of Minnesota women poets.

 

 

Plotting with Index Cards: The Visual (and Easy) Way to See Your Story
Saturday, May 12, 9am-Noon.
Cost: $35.

Level: Intermediate to Advanced Writers

The Board. It can be found in TV writers' rooms, movie producers' back offices, veteran writers' studies. It doesn't matter what it looks like--blackboard smeared with chalk, whiteboard splashed with color, cork board with neatly arranged index cards--it's a way to see all the pieces of the puzzle at a glance…a way to see all your scenes and whether or not they work in the best way possible. If you're dissatisfied with the order of your scenes, you simply rearrange the cards. Simple as that.

Cut out unnecessary writing. Display only the "beats" that move the story forward. Note where you have gaping holes. Fix the problems before you start writing, and you'll look forward to your writing days.

We will "break" a story in class, so you can see how it works. Come with a story in mind, or simply come see how it's done. This works for any type of writing--novels, short stories, screenplays, teleplays, plays, memoir, nonfiction.

Instructor Elissa Elliott is the author of Eve: A Novel. She's won various grants and awards, including the Loft Literary Center Mentor series and a MN State Arts Board grant. She's a contributing writer to Books & Culture and lives in MN with her husband and daughter.
Elissa Elliott

 

 

 

Perfect Beginnings: How to Hook Your Reader from the Start
Saturday, May 12, 1-4pm.
Cost: $35.

Level: Youth, ages 12 through 17

Dennis Hensley tells his writing students, “Keep in mind that what you write only has about ten seconds to win or lose a reader. If your [story beginning] is something fascinating that intrigues the reader, he or she will stay with you. If your opening is unimaginative, slow, or routine, your reader will desert you—and fast!” (How to Write What You Love and Make a Living at It). I'll second that and say that many editors won't read past one page if the story doesn't interest them. This doesn't give you much time.

Using your own story ideas and great examples from books and movies, we'll come up with several hard-and-fast rules of wowing your reader. After incorporating what you've learned in this class, you'll be amazed at how your story jumps off the page.

Instructor Elissa Elliott is the author of Eve: A Novel. She's won various grants and awards, including the Loft Literary Center Mentor series and a MN State Arts Board grant. She's a contributing writer to Books & Culture and lives in MN with her husband and daughter.
Elissa Elliott

 

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Songwriting Workshops
please scroll down - class descriptions appear chronologically

 

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Musical Instruction:
please scroll down - class descriptions appear chronologically

Guitar, Bass and Mandolin Lessons:
Wednesdays from 3-7:30pm; call to set up time.

$16 per half-hour private weekly lesson, paid monthly. Requires two-month commitment, and 30 days' notice before cancellation. Please read Crossings' music instruction FAQ's

One-on-one instruction, acoustic or electric guitar, plus bass and mandolin! Beginners on up: all ages!

Jim Kaske has been teaching at Crossings since 2004. He has a great love for music of all kinds, and enjoys teaching students ages 5 to 94! Jim is used to teaching a wide range of styles, from rock to classical. Jim is constantly learning new music, styles and techniques so he is able to meet the interests of his students. For each student that Jim teaches, a customized lesson is created for each lesson to meet that student’s individual needs and wants. Every student’s learning style and music preferences are taken into consideration to foster an environment of fun and learning with one on one attention.

Jim has been playing guitar since the age of 15 and has no plan on stopping as there is so much music to learn! Jim has a Masters Certificate in Music Theory, Harmony, and Ear Training from Berklee College of Music, along with a degree from Winona State University in Business Administration.

From former student Wanda:
Jim is a very good teacher. He is not only skilled but also a wealth of knowledge about guitar playing, its history and styles and artists. Zumbrota is very lucky to have him teaching here.
He is so patient with old, arthritic people like me with 10 thumbs.

Crossings' music instruction FAQ's

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Cancellation and Refund Policy

We understand entirely that life brings many surprises to us all, and sometimes people must cancel their class reservation.

We sincerely do our level best to accommodate each individual’s request when emergencies arise.

However, if cancellations occur within a week of the class start date, granting a refund frequently means we operate at a loss. Materials have already been purchased, and instructors have agreed to a set minimum compensation.

Please help us continue to offer these wonderful classes, at the most affordable costs possible, by reading and adhering to our cancellation and refund policy:

Class participants who cancel 21 or more days prior to the class start date will receive a 100% refund, and will be charged a $15 cancellation fee.

Class participants who cancel 8-20 days prior to the class start date will receive a 50% refund.

No refunds will be issued 0-7 days prior to the class start date.

 

 

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