August 2025 Events

1:00 - 3:00 PM Wednesday, August 6, 2025 Kid’s Boat Painting Class (For Ages 6–11) Ahoy, young artists! Get ready to set sail just in time for the Hessel Wooden Boat Show with this fun, hands-on boat painting class. Kids will build and decorate their very own sailboats using a mix of creative and unexpected materials. With step-by-step guidance from artist Marissa Wissner, every child will leave with a colorful, one-of-a-kind boat and a big sense of accomplishment—no experience needed and all supplies provided. Perfect for budding builders, painters, and little ones who love all things nautical! ⚓ Spots fill fast—don’t miss the boat! Class Fee: $20 per child. To register, call 906-484-1333 or register online.

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Wednesday, August 6, 2025 Fabric Art with Jeans (Adults) Give your old denim new life in this fun and funky art class with artist Marissa Wissner! Using simple stitching, layering, and design techniques, you’ll transform repurposed blue jeans into a one-of-a-kind piece of textile art. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned crafter, this relaxed, hands-on session is a great way to get creative, upcycle, and leave with something uniquely you. All materials and tools are provided, but feel free to bring a favorite pair of jeans to personalize your project even more. ? Stitch. Create. Repurpose. Art never looked so good in denim! Class Fee: $40 To register, call 906-484-1333 or register online.

Wednesday, August 13 - 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Michigan is home to numerous lakes, forests, and beaches! Come and create your own “homage” to this beautiful state at Hessel School House! Using acrylic on wood panel, join artist Karen Mazzoline as she guides you through the process. You can choose the woods scene, beach scene, or both! No experience is necessary and all materials will be provided for a night of fun! Just bring a friend and your love of creating! Class Fee: $40 To register, call 906-484-1333 or register online.

HARD & SOFT PASTEL WORKSHOP with Guest Artist Steve Seebohm Saturday, August 16, 2025 I 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM Steve is excited to offer this one-day workshop in the use of hard & soft pastels for drawing and painting. You will learn about the unique nature of working with pastels, surfaces available for best results, the ability to blend, manipulate and erase the medium, limitations of use and the variety of fixatives available for making your work more permanent & the unique nature of each. You will get hands-on experience working with hard & soft pastels, learn which papers are appropriate for use, the variety of sanded surfaces available, and prep materials to make your own sanded paper & boards. You will learn the potential and challenges of layering and blending to produce unique effects, minimizing the use of white and black for richer paintings, and which fixatives are best for securing your artwork for years to come. Materials provided will include blank drawing paper for practice working with pastels & sanded paper for developing a finished piece. Photo reference of local & regional images will be available to work from in creating your own personal memory. Hard & soft pastels will also be provided along with blending sticks, sanding pads, erasers, gloves and fixative. Whether you’re interested in producing a popular landscape, a fantasy piece or something more abstract, experimentation with this medium is encouraged for those who might desire a fun, creative outlet and wonderful means for producing colorful art! Those in need will be provided with drawing, perspective and composition direction to help with their progress. Individuals of all levels are welcome. Class Fee: $130 Class space is limited for this special art class. To register, call 906-484-1333 or register online at This is a full-day workshop Students are encouraged to bring a sack lunch. A fridge and microwave are available if needed. Coffee, tea and bottled water available. ______________________ ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR STEVE SEEBOHM Steve is a local artist who loves the outdoors & nature and has been passionate about the arts since he started drawing the small fish, snakes and frogs he caught growing up. Summers during and after high school he began painting houses in northern New Jersey to put himself through Parson’s School of Design. As an illustration student in the pre-digital/pre-cell phone age, he spent 20 hours a week at figure drawing, along with learning classical skills in painting, printing making, photography, composition, perspective and layout. After graduating from college he applied his newly acquired skills to the preservation of historic finishes and decorative painting, including design of a new decorative finishes campaign for the Michigan Governors’ ceremonial office in The State Capitol. During his years in preservation Steve continued to take advantage of figure drawing sessions wherever he traveled for work and continued to play with a variety of art media that fit his lifestyle.

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Wednesday, August 20 & 27 DRAWING REFRESHER CLASS (adults & teens 16+): Build your drawing “muscle” by attending Hessel School House’s Drawing Refresher Class! In this two-week session, learn about the tools used to draw values, shapes, textures, and perspective. Artist Karen Mazzoline will use starter exercises, activities, and projects to help you develop your drawing skillset! Our focus will be on the elements of art and the principles of design as we draw people, land and seascapes, animals, objects, and places. We will also be working with different drawing media (marker, ink, colored pencil). If you have a specific question or topic you would like discussed during the session, you will be given the opportunity to share that through email before the session begins. Materials and tools will be provided by the instructor, but if you have your own sketch books and pencils, feel free to bring them to class! Class fee: $55 To register, call 906-484-1333 or register online.

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM August 22 & 23 Join us at the Hessel School House for a unique and enriching Native American Beaded Barrette Workshop led by Tricia Boucha, a talented Saulteaux wearable artist. This hands-on workshop invites participants of all skill levels to explore the intricate art of beadwork, a tradition steeped in cultural significance and creativity. Tricia will guide you through the process of designing and crafting your own stunning beaded barrette, using vibrant colors and traditional patterns that reflect Native American heritage. Throughout the session, you’ll learn not only the techniques of beading but also gain insight into the stories and meanings behind the designs. Immerse yourself in a supportive and inspiring environment, connect with fellow artists, and take home a beautiful, handcrafted piece that showcases your newfound skills. All materials will be provided, so just bring your enthusiasm and creativity! Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate indigenous artistry and express your unique style. Reserve your spot today and join us for a memorable experience of culture, craft, and community!

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Wednesday, August 27, 2025 FALL PUMPKIN WATERCOLOR PAINT N’ SIP CLASS (adult): Bring in the anticipation of the fall season with watercolor pumpkins! Using specific techniques, artist Karen Mazzoline will teach you how to paint pumpkins on 4 X 6 watercolor paper. Choose from a variety of shapes and colors! When finished, you will be taking home two of your very own creations in a glass frame! All materials will be provided and no experience is necessary! Class Fee: $40 Space is limited. Register early! To register, call 906-484-1333 or register online.