The happy silly people above have just won the third event at the Woodlanders Games, a greased watermelon relay. The Woodlanders Gathering is our busiest weekend of the year, with more than one hundred people on campus, four days of workshops, lunches and picnics on the Green, and evening frivolity. Some people come for a day, some for the entire weekend, and some have been coming for twenty-three years—as evidenced by their garlands of handmade live-edge name badges. In many ways, our arts & crafts organization owes its existence to the Woodlanders—this year that beginning is perhaps more poignant than ever as Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts celebrates twenty years of creativity & community. Whether you join us to learn a new medium, spend time deepening your technique, or taking a risk and finding your people, we hope we can help you find joy as well. Last year the Woodlanders Gathering was my first full immersion in Shake Rag Alley and all it offers; this year it only reaffirmed that sometimes we are exactly where we need to be. 

Speaking of where we need to be: Art Adventure will soon be upon us! Our mixed media retreat includes workshops in mosaic, assemblage, oil & cold wax, book arts & paper, costume, and paper clay. Don’t miss out on this exceptional experience in Mineral Point—complete with a Saturday Showcase of artwork by instructors & students. Our retreats are a wonderful opportunity for immersion in a particular area, as well as mingling with like-minded creatives. If you’re looking for inspiration, we can learn from each other, visit galleries, and take in the architecture and natural beauty of the Driftless region. 

And if you’re thinking about the coming turn to fall, start thinking about a visit with us—we have so much to offer into September and beyond. From more offerings on our Alley Stage, to our Fiber Faire, and workshops through November, we’ve got creativity for every season.

(And don’t forget to save the date for A Ghostly Gathering on October 26!)