Events

 

Scrap Metal Jewelry: Wrap Rings

03/29/2025 02:00 AM - 04:00 PM CT
Metalworking
Learn to work scrap metal into a beautiful and unique statement ring.

Scrap Metal Jewelry: Earrings

03/29/2025 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Metalworking
Work scrap metal into a beautiful and unique pair of earrings.

Soap Making From Scratch

04/02/2025 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM CT
Folk Arts
Soap is created from lye and fats. Join us in making soap by hand and take some home with you! No prior experience necessary.

Call of the Wild Poetry Night

04/03/2025 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM CT
Community Events
Join us for a poetry open night the first Thursday of the month. Presented in collaboration with Northern Lakes Arts Association.

Wheel Throwing

04/03/2025 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM CT
Ceramics
You'll learn about the different stages clay goes through during the making process, as well as the tools and techniques used to create both wheel thrown and handbuilt pottery.

Ely Area Writers Group

04/03/2025 06:15 PM CT
The mission of the Ely Area Writers Group (formerly Writers Read) is to encourage writers to write.

Traditional Ojibwe Snowshoe Lacing

04/04/2025 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM CT
Northwoods Skills & Crafting

Writing with Your Child For Your Child

04/05/2025 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Youth and Family Programming
This 4 week class (one two hour session per week) was designed for parent and child or grandparent and child pairs. The intention is for each pair to write their own personalized children’s book.

Making Necklaces and Bracelets with Woodburning Designs

04/05/2025 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM CT
Folk Arts
Combine pyrography and jewelry making in this joint folk art class.

The Poet’s Way

04/08/2025 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM CT
Music, Voice, and Page
Join us in celebrating the act of writing and the art of poetry.

Making Jewelry with Fabric: Necklaces

04/10/2025 05:00 PM - 07:30 PM CT
Folk Arts
Use fabrics to make one of a kind jewelry

Norwegian Lefse

04/11/2025 01:00 PM - 03:30 PM CT
Nourishment
Make and eat this Scandinavian teat!

Nature Writing for Women: The Season of Rebirth

04/12/2025 10:00 AM - 02:00 PM CT
Music, Voice, and Page

Needle Felt a Loon (virtual teacher)

04/12/2025 03:00 PM - 06:00 PM CT
Fiber Arts
Join us at the Ely Folk School for this beginner needle felting class with virtual instructor Laura Berlage.

Soap Making From Scratch

04/16/2025 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM CT
Folk Arts
Soap is created from lye and fats. Join us in making soap by hand and take some home with you! No prior experience necessary.

April Herbalism Club Meeting

04/17/2025 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM CT
Nourishment

Hand Pie Demonstration (live online)

04/19/2025 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Nourishment
Enjoy this free demonstration of hand pie crust making with instructor and EFS board chair Lacey Squier

Ely Photographic Collaborative - April

04/23/2025 07:00 PM CT
Community Events

Make a Collage Banner

04/24/2025 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM CT
Folk Arts
Hang your new creation on your door or wall

Natural Dying from Start to Finish

04/25/2025 05:00 PM - 07:30 PM CT
Fiber Arts
This class covers dyeing natural fibers with natural dyes from the beginning of the process to end. Natural dyes and fibers will be discussed and examples presented. We'll go through the process of scouring fibers and preparing fibers for natural dyeing (using mordants and tannins). We'll learn about natural dyes, how to make a dye bath, how to dye natural fibers, and modify colors. We'll explore the colors of 4 different natural dyes. Each student will go home with 2 types of dyed cellulose fibers (a linen scarf and a cotton bandana) and 2 types of dyed protein fiber (a skein of yarn and a silk scarf). This class is held in 3 sessions.

Sourdough Scones and Loaf

04/26/2025 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM CT
Nourishment
Make scones and a loaf of bread with sourdough starter

Stash Buster: Stitch a Flower Pin Cushion (virtual teacher)

04/26/2025 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM CT
Fiber Arts
Use up your stash! Make these functional pin cushions with scraps you have laying around from various projects.

American Sign Language for Beginners

04/30/2025 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM CT
Humanities
Join us for a two part class introducing you to the ASL alphabet and common phrases.

Birding by Ear

05/03/2025 07:00 AM - 09:00 AM CT
Northwoods Skills & Crafting
Northern Minnesota hosts a colorful variety of nesting songbirds each summer, from chestnut-sided warblers to goldfinches. Each species has a colorful song and this class focuses on learning to match the song with the singer while in the field.

Hand Pie Demonstration

05/03/2025 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Nourishment
Enjoy this free demonstration of hand pie crust making with instructor and EFS board chair Lacey Squier

Mushroom Foraging for Beginners

05/03/2025 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM CT
Northwoods Skills & Crafting
Come learn about the ethics and tips for foraging, the life cycle of a mushroom, the physical parts and purpose of mushrooms, and how to begin to confidently identify both edible and poisonous mushrooms.

2025 Ely Folk School Spring Bonfire

05/07/2025 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM CT
Community Events
Our annual spring event welcomes back warm weather and invites Ely area residents, visitors, and friends/family to celebrate together.

Why We Get High

05/08/2025 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM CT
Humanities
Join local natural medicine expert Tatiana on this deep dive on altered states--why and how do people get high?

Birding by Ear

05/10/2025 07:00 AM - 09:00 AM CT
Northwoods Skills & Crafting
Northern Minnesota hosts a colorful variety of nesting songbirds each summer, from chestnut-sided warblers to goldfinches. Each species has a colorful song and this class focuses on learning to match the song with the singer while in the field.

Introduction to Bookbinding

05/10/2025 11:30 AM - 02:00 PM CT
Folk Arts
Learn the history, significance, and techniques of book making.

Wontons

05/10/2025 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM CT
Nourishment
Learn to make wontons!

Mother's Day Cardmaking and Woodburning

05/10/2025 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM CT
Folk Arts
Combine the art of card making and wood burning in this craft perfect to do WITH your mom, or as a gift FOR her!

American Sign Language Fingerspelling

05/14/2025 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM CT
Humanities
Join us for a class for practicing "reading" hands

Houseplant Swap and Seed Exchange

05/14/2025 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM CT
Community Events
Join us for an evening of plant nerdery! Cuttings of current houseplants and rehoming welcome. Please bring at least one plant to swap.

EFS Spring Cleaning Event

05/15/2025 10:00 AM - 05/17/2025 03:00 PM CT
Community Events
Stop by anytime during this weekend to earn volunteer hours by helping us downsize, organize, and clean our facilities.

May Herbalism Club Meeting

05/15/2025 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM CT
Nourishment

Birding by Ear

05/17/2025 07:00 AM - 09:00 AM CT
Northwoods Skills & Crafting
Northern Minnesota hosts a colorful variety of nesting songbirds each summer, from chestnut-sided warblers to goldfinches. Each species has a colorful song and this class focuses on learning to match the song with the singer while in the field.

Herbal Infused Oils and Salves

05/17/2025 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM CT
Nourishment
Learn the foundations of creating your own infused oils and salves, and be prepared to take your custom creations home with you!

Carve Your Path: Wood Working Basics from Forest to Finish

05/20/2025 05:00 PM - 05/22/2025 08:00 PM CT
This three part class will cover everything from selecting wood and tools to starting your own carving projects with confidence

Spring Edibles

05/22/2025 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM CT
Nourishment
Go hunting for wild foods, learn about some others that aren’t yet ready for harvesting, and return to EFS to cook up a small, delicious snack.

Birding by Ear

05/24/2025 07:00 AM - 09:00 AM CT
Northwoods Skills & Crafting
Northern Minnesota hosts a colorful variety of nesting songbirds each summer, from chestnut-sided warblers to goldfinches. Each species has a colorful song and this class focuses on learning to match the song with the singer while in the field.

Youth Carrot Cake

05/24/2025 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM CT
Youth and Family Programming
Learn to make carrot cake in this kids specific Folk School cooking class

Ely Photographic Collaborative - May

05/28/2025 07:00 PM CT
Community Events

Birding by Ear

05/31/2025 07:00 AM - 09:00 AM CT
Northwoods Skills & Crafting
Northern Minnesota hosts a colorful variety of nesting songbirds each summer, from chestnut-sided warblers to goldfinches. Each species has a colorful song and this class focuses on learning to match the song with the singer while in the field.

Beginner Friendly Sewing: Make a Blouse

05/31/2025 09:00 AM - 01:30 PM CT
Fiber Arts
Sew your own shirt customized to the style you want and that looks good on you--not just what some store sells.

Homemade Sauerkraut

05/31/2025 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM CT
Nourishment
Learn everything you need to know to make your very own batch of sauerkraut!

Nature Writing: Water Reflections

06/07/2025 10:00 AM - 02:00 PM CT
Music, Voice, and Page
As part of our "We Are Water MN" exhibit, please join us for a water themed poetry course.

Finding Your Spark: Creativity for the Non-Creative

06/07/2025 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Humanities
Feeling overwhelmed? Always thought you had NO creativity at all? Come learn how to tap into the creativity that we ALL have!

Beaver Hide Cell Phone Pouch

06/07/2025 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM CT
Northwoods Skills & Crafting
Use scrap beaver hide to fashion an insulated pouch for you cell phone, perfect for winter outdoor adventures of all sorts.

Herbal Allies for Finding Peace and Calm

06/07/2025 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM CT
Nourishment
Calm your nervous system with these plants that help center and calm.

Writing for Your Life

06/14/2025 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Music, Voice, and Page
hrough thoughtful readings and free-flowing writing prompts, you will practice shaping truths and fictions from your own observations and experiences.

Mastering the Basic Skills of Upholstery

06/14/2025 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM CT
Folk Arts
Learn the art of upholstery in a supportive environment.

Custom Greeting Card

06/18/2025 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM CT
Folk Arts
Learn to personalize your own card for any occasion.

June Herbalism Club Meeting

06/19/2025 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM CT
Nourishment

Summer Solstice Power Word (interactive discussion and woodburning)

06/21/2025 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM CT
Folk Arts
Pair group conversation and mid-summer refresh with the art of woodburning!

Nature Writing with the Listening Point Foundation

06/25/2025 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM CT
Music, Voice, and Page
Follow Sig Olson's legacy of nature writing in a supportive group at his historic town home, now the headquarters of the Listening Point Foundation.

Ely Photographic Collaborative - June

06/25/2025 07:00 PM CT
Community Events

Wet Felted Sauna Hat

06/28/2025 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM CT
Fiber Arts
Students can select from four hat styles, gnome, wizard, bucket or loopy sauna. The practice of wearing a hat in the sauna insulates and protects your head.

Pine Needle Hairclips

06/28/2025 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM CT
Northwoods Skills & Crafting

Wet Felted Sauna Hat

06/28/2025 01:30 PM - 04:30 PM CT
Fiber Arts
Students can select from four hat styles, gnome, wizard, bucket or loopy sauna. The practice of wearing a hat in the sauna insulates and protects your head.

July Herbalism Club Meeting

07/17/2025 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM CT
Nourishment

INTEREST FORM: Shackleton Hut (Women Only)

07/21/2025 07:00 AM - 06:00 PM CT

INTEREST FORM: Shackleton Hut (All Gender)

08/11/2025 07:00 AM - 08/15/2025 06:00 PM CT

INTEREST FORM: Dry Stone Course with Stonemaster Jim Sullivan

08/18/2025 07:00 AM - 08/20/2025 06:00 PM CT

Summer Steger Stone Masonry Classes

08/18/2025 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT

August Herbalism Club Meeting

08/21/2025 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM CT
Nourishment

September Herbalism Club Meeting

09/18/2025 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM CT
Nourishment

October Herbalism Club Meeting

10/16/2025 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM CT
Nourishment

Make Your Own Beaver Musher Mittens

11/04/2025 06:00 PM - 11/07/2025 09:00 PM CT
Northwoods Skills & Crafting

Make your Own Viking Birka Hat

11/08/2025 09:00 AM - 11/09/2025 05:00 PM CT
Folk Arts

November Herbalism Club Meeting

11/20/2025 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM CT
Nourishment

December Herbalism Club Meeting

12/18/2025 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM CT
Nourishment

Backyard Herbalism Club Membership

12/18/2025 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM CT
Northwoods Skills & Crafting
Join the club! Membership gets you access to all 12 of our 2025 herbalism classes.