Featuring poetry by Tyra Payer, Jeanne Lutz, and Yeon Ah Koon

Celebrate autumn at our cozy ArtScraps store with an evening of art, poetry, and light refreshments. Curated by guest host Dralandra Larkins, an award-winning spoken-word poet and author of Before I Lie (2025). A COMPAS teaching artist, she is a recipient of the Loft Literary Center’s Teaching Artist Fellowship, the Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Individuals Grant, and Springboard for the Arts’ Weathering Together grant.

All readings at 7:00 PM

In person at ArtStart’s ArtScraps 

All readings are free, but registration is required. 

Hand-made greeting cards are often the most cherished. Explore your creative muse as you work with visual artist and poet Marie Olofsdotter to create a variety of greeting cards. Inspired by the season and nature, cards incorporate folding techniques, the pop-up process and collaging techniques. Then add another element that makes your card uniquely yours — your voice captured in lines of poetry generated with Marie. All materials provided. 

For teens and adults.

ArtStart’s ArtScraps 1459 St Clair Avenue, St Paul, MN 55105

Saturday, December 6th, 10:30 am-12:30 pm

Tuition: $49

The holidays are a magical season.  What better time to work together as a family with artist Gustavo Boada to create one of the most magical places there is-Hogwarts Castle, the site of so many of Harry Potter’s adventures. Using tubes, cones, cups, mylar, glue and reciting a single spell, “Decorateum Glueioso” you create a magnificent castle to place in your bedroom or home for the holidays!

Saturday, December 20th, 10:30 am-12:30 pm

Tuition: $49 per person*

*Please register every member in your family seperately

Passport to Russia: From Moscow to St. Petersburg

Russia, or Россия, is one of the largest countries in the world bordering Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Join ArtStart artists for a whirlwind tour of Moscow,the capital of Russia, and St. Petersburg. Then create art inspired by famous Russian composers and artists, as well as beautiful folkart traditions. Grab your passport and a warm coat and join this artistic adventure!

Ages 6-12

SESSION 1: Monday-Tuesday, December 22-23, 2025

9-10:30am: Matryoshka Dolls

A Matroshka doll is also known as a Russian nesting doll. Each doll contains a slightly smaller doll nested inside it. Create your own colorful Matryoshka nesting doll, as you work with Jeanette Dickinson to design and paint your own special set of dolls.

10:45 am - 12:15 pm: Architecture

Join artist Karen Anderson to learn about the colorful onion-shaped domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral and Ivan the Great’s Bell Tower, both built in the late 1500s. Then draw and pain tthese memorable symbols of Moscow glistening in the setting sun.

Passport to Russia: From Moscow to St. Petersburg

Russia, or Россия, is one of the largest countries in the world bordering Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Join ArtStart artists for a whirlwind tour of Moscow, the capital of Russia, and St. Petersburg. Then create art inspired by famous Russian composers and artists, as well as beautiful folk art traditions. Grab your passport and a warm coat and join this artistic adventure!

SESSION 2: Monday-Tuesday, December 29-30, 2025

9-10:30am: Clay

Dymkovo toys are a traditional Russian folk art handicraft made by women.They are moulded and painted clay figures of people and animals. Work with Gustavo Boada to create your own special Dymkovo toy using air-dried clay and acrylic paint pens.

10:45am - 12:15pm: Puppetry

Composer Sergei Prokofiev composed the symphonic fairytale Peter and the Wolf. Each character in the story is represented by an instrument of the orchestra. First listen to the musical tale. Then work with puppeteer Julie Boada to create finger puppets for each character. Share the tale with your family and friends using your finger puppets.

Winter is an ideal time to get cozy on the couch and create! If you have always wanted to learn to knit, but felt intimidated, now is your chance. Work with artist Laurie Witzkowski to learn some knitting basics such as casting on, knitting, purling, and casting off. You will create a mini scarf sampler, so you have all the skills to create a large one on your own.

Fairmount Avenue United Methodist Church 1523 Fairmount Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

Saturday, January 10th,  1:30-3:30 pm

Tuition: $49

Create a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special in your life! In this class, artist Tara Fahey will teach you three easy embroidery stitches.  Then choose from a variety of colorful buttons, felt, and ribbon, to fashion a unique heart-shaped pouch for treats for your loved one. All materials provided. $49

Fairmount Avenue United Methodist Church 1523 Fairmount Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

Saturday, February 7th, 10:30-12:30pm

Tuition: $49

For ages 13+

ArtScraps After Dark: Junk Journaling

Scrap, Yap and Sip! When the winter chill hits, we’re warming things up with a cozy after-hours crafting night at ArtScraps in St. Paul. Join us for junk journaling, laughter, and socializing while we sip wine and snack on cheese and charcuterie. After the doors close to the public, you’ll get private access to shop the ArtScraps aisles for one-of-a-kind re-use art supplies to add to your junk journal and spark inspiration. Price: $49/person

With Claire Donovan

Claire is a St. Paul artist and creative events host who specializes in community-centered junk journaling experiences. She is passionate about making creativity accessible, low-pressure, and joyful for adults seeking connection, friendship, and a creative outlet. Through her events, she encourages people to experiment, play, and discover meaning in the art of reuse. As a born and raised St. Paul resident, she is excited to connect with the broader Twin Cities community through art and junk journaling. 

@JunkJournalBestie on Instagram & Tiktok

BYOB, Ages 21+

Some materials provided, with additional supplies from the store available for purchase. You are welcome to bring visuals such as photos, sheet music, magazines, etc. from home.