July 2025 Events at Hessel School House

1:00 PM- 3:00 PM Wednesday, July 9, 2025 Spend the afternoon painting with nature! With guidance from artist Marissa Wissner, children ages 6 -11 years old will learn how to utilize needles, tree bark, and other elements of nature to paint a stunning work of art! All materials will be provided but be dressed to take a walk outside for gathering your nature finds! Class is $20 per student.

10:00 AM- 12:00 PM Wednesday, July 9 and 23 Watercolor Refresher Workshop Brush up on your watercolor skills by attending our watercolor refresher class! Through quick exercises, fun activities, and creative projects, build your skill set and feel more confident in working with this medium. This is a two-week session, so you will have the opportunity to practice what you have learned. Artist Karen Mazzoline will offer different painting styles, techniques, and types of watercolor paints during the course. Have a specific technique you would like to learn? Karen will contact you before class starts to receive any questions or topics you would like to cover and will include them in the sessions! All materials will be provided, but if you would rather use your own watercolor paints, feel free to bring them along! Class Size is limited. Register today by calling 906-484-1333 or register online.

9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Fridays, July 11 & 18 Instructor: Cheryl Gordon Capture the beauty of the natural world in woven form during this two-session workshop with fiber artist Cheryl Gordon. Designed for beginners and experienced weavers alike, this class introduces a variety of tapestry weaving techniques to help you create your own landscape inspired textile art. Working on pre-warped looms to jump-start the process, students will explore texture, color blending, and composition while learning to translate natural coastal scenery into expressive woven pieces. The class is limited to eight students ensuring you receive individualized instruction in a casual atmosphere. All materials—including yarn, tools, and a loom to use during class—are provided, and students will leave with a completed small tapestry and the skills to continue weaving on their own. Open to adults and teens 16+. Space is limited—register early to reserve your loom! To reserve your spot call 906-484-1333 or register online.

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Saturday, July 12, 2025 Capturing Nature Through the Lens: A Photography Workshop with Wayne Pope Sharpen your photography skills and immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world with Wayne Pope, a professional nature photographer and adjunct faculty member at Lansing Community College, where he teaches photography. This full-day workshop is designed for both beginners and experienced photographers looking to refine their skills. This hands-on session will guide participants through the art of capturing the beauty of the natural world—whether using a digital camera or smartphone. What to Expect: Classroom Learning: Explore the fundamentals of photography, including camera types, composition techniques, depth of field, and lighting to elevate your nature shots. Field Experience: Put your knowledge into action with a guided photo session at a local nature preserve, where Wayne will offer expert tips on framing, perspective, and capturing wildlife and landscapes in real time. Lunch Provided: Enjoy a break and connect with fellow nature enthusiasts over a provided meal. With years of experience as an educator and photographer, Wayne brings expert insights and personalized guidance to help you see nature through a new lens—whether you're using a digital camera or smartphone. What to Bring: A digital camera or smartphone with camera capabilities, comfortable walking shoes, and a passion for nature photography! Limited spots available—register today to secure your place!

1:00 – 4:00 PM
 Wed. & Thurs. July 16 & 17, 2025 Instructor: Jen Wozniak
 Step into the rhythm of the seasons with artist and educator Jen Wozniak in this inspiring two-day workshop focused on The Seasonal Round—a nature journaling practice rooted in the study of phenology, or the seasonal changes in plants and animals throughout the year. In this immersive, hands-on class, Jen will guide participants in starting or deepening their own “Perpetual Nature Journal,” a place-specific, multi-year journal that tracks natural patterns over time. Through observation, drawing, writing, and discussion, participants will learn how to document the subtle and surprising shifts in the environment—while cultivating a greater sense of connection, belonging, and stewardship for the land they inhabit. Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or a curious beginner, Jen’s approach blends scientific inquiry with creative expression to help you observe the world with fresh eyes. With her encouraging, joy-driven style, she helps participants set aside perfectionism and reconnect with the natural world through play, curiosity, and mindfulness. Join us for this engaging and reflective workshop, and leave with tools and inspiration to continue your journaling practice throughout the seasons—and for years to come. All materials provided. Feel free to bring your own colored pencils, markers, watercolors, and notebook if you choose. Open to adults and teens 13+. Space is limited—register early! Thanks to a grant from the Chippewa Luce Mackinaw Conservation District this class is now offered at a discounted rate. Regular price $120 per student. NOW only $80 per student. Take advantage of this generous support from our local partner and join us for this amazing workshop. NOTE: The date and time for this class were not published correctly in THE GUIDE. This class is July 16 & 17 from 1-4 pm on both days. ____ ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Jen Wozniak – Artist, Educator, and Nature Journaling Enthusiast Jen Wozniak is an artist, educator, and avid observer of the natural world whose work bridges the gap between scientific inquiry and creative expression. She teaches Art and Field Studies at Springwater Environmental Sciences School in Oregon, where she encourages students to cultivate curiosity, creativity, and a deep connection to nature. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the Pacific Northwest College of Art, Jen’s artistic foundation is rooted in detailed observation and storytelling through imagery. However, she considers her greatest expertise to be her lifelong practice of approaching the natural world with beginner’s awe—a perspective that keeps her learning and discovering every day. Jen’s passion for nature journaling has led her to develop a method of artistic engagement that helps both children and adults overcome self-judgment. Through her workshops, she invites participants to reconnect with the natural world through play, curiosity, and an open heart, bypassing the pressures of perfection to embrace the joy of observing and documenting the world around them. Her approach fosters a sense of wonder, mindfulness, and personal expression, transforming nature journaling into a tool for both scientific discovery and creative exploration. Whether marveling at the delicate structure of a feather, the intricate gills of a fungus, or the shifting colors of a sunset, Jen believes that every observation is an opportunity for learning and connection. Through her teaching, she continues to inspire others to see nature—and themselves—through fresh eyes, encouraging deeper appreciation and engagement with the landscapes we inhabit.

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Wednesday, July 23, 2025 Sailboat Paint & Sip (Adults Only) Unwind with a brush in one hand and your favorite beverage in the other during this relaxing afternoon paint & sip session. Guided by artist Karen Mazzoline, you’ll learn how to blend warm sunset hues and soft lake reflections to create a peaceful sailboat scene that captures the magic of a summer evening. No experience necessary—just come ready to have fun, get creative, and leave with your own frame-worthy masterpiece. All materials and instruction provided. Bring a drink of your choice and a friend for the perfect midweek escape!

Saturday, July 26 - 2:00 - 4:00 PM Join leading medical professionals for an in-depth look at Blastomycosis (also known as Blasto), the soil-borne fungal disease impacting both humans and animals across Michigan and the Eastern Upper Peninsula. This presentation will bring together veterinarians and public health experts for a science-based exploration of current research, case studies, and regional trends. Whether you're treating patients, conducting fieldwork, or just seeking to deepen your understanding of this complex disease, this event will provide valuable insights and the opportunity to engage with experts on the front lines of Blastomycosis investigation. Presentations by: Dr. Carol Kauffman, MD, U of M Medical School Dr. Daniel Langlois, DVM, MSU Veterinary College Dr. Taylor Miller, DVM, Pickford Veterinary Service Special Guest: Dr. Clinton Groover, DVM, retired Pickford Veterinary Services This seminar is offered free of charge thanks to a grant from the Les Cheneaux Community Foundation.

NOTE: This class has been cancelled, however we will be running it again in August. Please check our August calendar for complete details. HARD & SOFT PASTEL WORKSHOP 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 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, July 23, 2025 Recycled & Repurposed Jewelry For Ages 10–16 Turn trash into treasure and let your creativity shine! In this hands-on class with artist Marissa Wissner, young makers will learn how to transform recycled and repurposed materials into one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces that reflect their personal style. From funky earrings to statement necklaces, students will explore jewelry-making techniques and gain confidence using real tools in a fun, supportive environment. All materials and tools are provided—just bring your imagination! ✨ Eco-friendly fun ✨ Learn new skills ✨ Take home your wearable art Perfect for creative minds who love fashion, design, or simply making something cool out of the unexpected! Class fee: $20 per student. To register, call 906-484-1333 or register online.