The Tree of Life is an ancient symbol found around the world in many cultures. Come learn about the history and meaning behind the symbol of the Tree of Life with artist Jeanette Dickinson. Then using a wire construction method, beads and more, create your own circular pendant Tree of Life.

For teens & adults.

Our popular poetry series continues! Come celebrate spring at our cozy ArtScraps store with an evening of art, poetry, and light refreshments. Curated by Patrick Cabello Hansel, author of The Devouring Land, Quitting Time, and Breathing in Minneapolis. Patrick has twice been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and was part of the Mentor Series for the Loft Literary Center.

Featuring poetry readings by Yeon Ah Koo, River Urke, and Suzanne Swanson.

All readings are free, but registration is required. Deadline to register: Day of event

For teens & adults.

ArtStart Spring Camp 2026

Passport to Mongolia: From the Eurasian Steppes to the Gobi Desert 

Book your flight today to the fascinating and beautiful country of Mongolia bordered by Russia and China. Once the largest contiguous empire in the world, the Mongolian Empire was established in 1206 by Genghis Khan and continued until it dissolved in 1368. For over 3,000 years, the people of the steppes have been herders, moving in the search of better pastures for their animals. Today, approximately half of Mongolia’s population roams the vast plains living in yurts and moving their camps several times a year. Grab your passport and join ArtStart artists to create art work inspired by this nomadic culture! 

April 6-8 ◆ 9:00-12:15 pm

Mount Zion Temple 1300 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105

Deadline to register: March 27th

9:00-10:30am: Mixed Media: Secrets of the Gobi Desert - Jeanette Dickinson

Perhaps the first “nomads” were not who we think they were! The Gobi Desert, Mongolian for “waterless place”,  holds the world’s richest and most diverse deposits of dinosaur fossils, including oviraptor, ankylosaurus, and titanosaurus! Work with artist Jeanette Dickinson to create your version of one of these amazing prehistoric creatures. 

10:45am-12:15pm: Drawing and Painting: The Land of the Horse - Karen Anderson

The Mongolian Horse as a breed has not changed since the time of Genghis Khan. Essential to nomadic life, nomads own nearly 3,000,000 horses! Work with artist Karen Anderson to draw horses grazing, at play and  on the move. Then paint your favorite horse images on leather, a technique used by Mongolian artisans.

 Ages 6 - 12

Join artist Linda Jensen to learn beginning watercolor skills and paint a beautiful landscape: a meadow with flowers! Explore essential watercolor skills of wet and dry brushwork, lost and found edges, and using a resist. The class will include an overview of watercolor skills and apply simple drawing tricks to make your paintings look amazing. Review some color theory so you can make colors work for you and practice understanding how water affects color intensity. 

For teens & adults.

Free Spring Poetry Series: Listen My Children… 

Our popular poetry series continues! Come celebrate spring at our cozy ArtScraps store with an evening of art, poetry, and light refreshments. Curated by Patrick Cabello Hansel, author of The Devouring Land, Quitting Time, and Breathing in Minneapolis. Patrick has twice been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and was part of the Mentor Series for the Loft Literary Center.

All readings are free, but registration is required. Deadline to register: Day of event

Celebrate Mother’s Day this year with a flower craft! Make your own flower wristlet or pinned arrangement for a mom in your life or an upcoming special occasion (prom anyone?). Artist Cami Andersen will provide direction and inspiration. Each participant will receive one large pre-dyed Sola wood flower with greenery, ribbon, and other adornments.

Open to teens and adults – intergenerational crafting groups are welcome! 

Free Spring Poetry Series: Liberty and Justice—For All! 

Our popular poetry series continues! Come celebrate spring at our cozy ArtScraps store with an evening of art, poetry, and light refreshments. Curated by Patrick Cabello Hansel, author of The Devouring Land, Quitting Time, and Breathing in Minneapolis. Patrick has twice been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and was part of the Mentor Series for the Loft Literary Center.

All readings are free, but registration is required. Deadline to register: Day of event

Fantastic Voyages: Art & Creative Writing Camp

Adventure beckons! Whether it’s the deepest wilds of a dragon-infested forest, or the siren song of the sea, sometimesa (s)hero must go on a quest. You have to find the magic scroll, consult the oracle, or travel to the underworld to rescue a comrade. So pack your knapsack and sharpen your sword. As Bilbo Baggins said to his nephew: “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to. ”In this art and creative writing camp, you will work with artists and writers in a variety of mediums to concoct your own original epics. From Sculpey clay figurines and shadow puppets, to collage and book-binding techniques, you can let your imagination sweep you off to lands unknown.

8:30-10:00am

Storytelling

Quests and Creatures: Write your Own Epic Adventure

The pen is mighty! Get ready to write an adventure all your own. In this storytelling class, you’ll dream up brave (s)heroes and clever foes, build enchanted worlds, and send your characters on thrilling quests. Will they face down a fire-breathing dragon, uncover the trickster’s secret plan, or discover a potion with unexpected powers? Perhaps the witch in the tower offers help...or hides a dangerous surprise. With creative prompts and imaginative challenges to guide you, you’ll craft a story bursting with magic, mystery, and excitement. Taught by Karlyn Coleman.

Karlyn Coleman is an award-winning writer, teacher, and creative collaborator based in Minneapolis. She is a certified teacher and has taught at the Loft Literary Center for over ten years and has been a part of the Young Author’s Conference for the past four years. She loves visiting schools, libraries, and youth organizations to share writing activities of all kinds. www.karlyncoleman.com

10:15-11:45am 

Book Binding

Wizard's Words: Books That Fold, Flap, and Flutter

Witches and wizards store their spells in magical books called grimoires, and you can too! Create a series of fanciful books to hold your stories and words of power throughout the week. You’ll learn how to make a book from a single page, then progress to accordion and single signature and portfolio bindings. Then add secret pockets, hidden flaps, and surprising pop-ups to complete your mystical manuscripts. Taught by Meg Erke.

Meg is a 2D mixed-media artist working in gouache, watercolor, collage,and stop-motion animation. She is the author and illustrator of Minnealphabet: An Outdoorsy Homage to Minneapolis and the illustrator of “Outdoorsy: A Coloring Book Celebrating Our Connection to the Natural World.” She is the Co-creator of the award-winning River to River Greenway Mural in West St. Paul and the recipient of a 2023 Individual Artist Residency at the Tofte Lake Center.

Ages 6-8

Early Bird Pricing: 5% off until Feb. 3

Half day = $247/week (code WCEARLYHALF26 )

Full day = $437/week (code WCEARLYFULL26 )

Standard Pricing: After Feb. 3

Half day = $260/week (Either morning or afternoon)

Full day = $460/week (code WRITINGFULL26 )