Folk Art at the Lakes

Craft Workshops

Our state has a rich history in handicrafts. A revival of sorts originated in the late 1950s and early 1960s due to a fortunate confluence of native skills, government attention, and the state’s centennial celebration. Among the first to act were the Future Homemakers and Future Farmers clubs, which raised funds in the mid-1950s to construct the Craft House at Cedar Lakes. A variety of weekend classes began at the Craft House in 1959 and continue today as folk art is celebrated with weekend and week-long classes that are offered through Cedar Lakes.

Quilting, basketry, clay sculpting, tinsmithing, woodcarving, woodturning, stained glass, painting, blacksmithing, needle felting, photography, origami, writing and music such as fiddle, autoharp, ukulele, psaltery and dulcimer, instruction is offered throughout the year. Come join us to learn a new art, make new friends and find a new get-away for a relaxing adventure.

View the 2026 Craft Workshop Schedule

Download the Craft Catalog

Register for a Workshop

Download the Craft Registration Form

Beginner to Advanced

All Instruments
Instructor Tish Westman

All Instruments welcome! Learn the ukulele, autoharp, bowed psaltery, or mountain dulcimer. Learn how to play along and just have some fun.

Beginner to Advanced

Basketry
Instructor Elaine Sinclair

Having fun with color is a class for all levels of weavers, from beginner to advanced.

Beginner to Advanced

Blacksmithing
Instructor Michael Young

Two weeklong classes – Intro to Blacksmithing and Fireplace Tools, as well as a special Forged Christmas Stocking Holders & Steel Icings weekend class.

Beginner to Advanced

Creative Writing
Instructor Colleen Anderson

From creating heartfelt short essays to chronicling your legacy, writers are guided through the many intricacies of creating powerful narratives and memorable stories.

Beginner to Advanced

Needle Felting
Instructor Debbie Martzall

Learn the basics of needle felting with wool using various gauges of felting needles, felting foam, fiber (mostly wool) and some templates.

Beginner to Advanced

Oil Painting
Instructor Samantha Taylor

Join this weekend workshop on dramatic portrait painting and learn light, shadow, and color techniques to create emotionally resonant artwork.

Intermediate to Advanced

Old Time Fiddle
Instructor Dave Bing

Expand your repertoire and learn various bowing and fingering techniques, timing, notes, and different methods of “attacking” the tune.

Beginner to Advanced

Origami
Instructor Colleen Anderson

We’ll make envelopes, folders, and holders, from very simple wallets to keep business cards or receipts to beautiful modular boxes that are perfect for holding small gifts.

Beginner to Advanced

Photography
Instructor Martin Unrue

Learn all aspects of photography techniques and skills, from the very basics to advanced. Hobbyists with cell phones to professional cameras welcome.

Advanced

Quilting
Instructor Judy Lilly

Explore perspective, value, size relationships, and contrast as we create beautiful white flowers. Choose one of four patterns – Daisy, Hibiscus, Dogwood, or Magnolia.

Beginner to Intermdiate

Quilting
Instructor Jackie Milliken

Learn this Judy Lilly design that assembles two different blocks in a diagonal setting to create connecting star patterns. Students are welcome to customize to your own design.

Beginner to Advanced

Quilting
Instructor Kathy Saunders

Explore the quilt-making techniques of women during World War II with reproduction fabrics commonly found during that era.

Beginner to Advanced

Ribbed Baskets
Instructor Debbie Martzall

Four basic ribbed baskets will be taught and completed – a small egg basket, melon basket, potato basket, and we finish with a larger egg basket.

Beginner to Advanced

Soft Soldering Jewelry
Instructor Stephanie Danz

Create your very own creative jewelry pieces you’ll be proud to wear! We’ll experiment with lead free solder using our imagination to create one-of-a-kind pieces.

Beginner to Advanced

Stained Glass
Instructor Stephanie Danz

Using the Tiffany method, also known as the copper foil method, students will explore designs, patinas, and color selections, as well as learn to use all tools in this process.

Beginner to Advanced

Tinsmithing
Instructor Jeff Leister

Using patterns and techniques of the tinsmiths from the 1800s, students will learn to bead, form, fold, pierce, and solder tin to create a variety of objects.

Beginner to Advanced

Watercolors
Instructor Debbie Lester

Develop a painting from start to finish. Learn how to control the medium and understand basic techniques, such as wet in wet, mixing colors, values, and design.

Beginner to Advanced

Woodcarving
Instructor Bob Barris

Using a variety of woods, students can learn to carve with carving knives and various gouges. Learn and understand wood grains, textures, and more to produce realistic carvings.

Beginner to Advanced

Woodturning
Instructor Harry Newman & Larry Weese Jr.

Join a tailored woodturning class for all levels, covering basics to advanced techniques, safety, tool use, and more from professional woodturners.

Craft Workshops Terms (click to expand)

A $100 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of application for each class. The balance of the fee is payable 30 days prior to the first day of scheduled class.
The workshops and seminars are offered with special package costs that include instruction, meals, and lodging.
The package costs for the classes are noted: (C) commuter with no meals; (D) dormitory accommodations with meals; (S) semi-private 2 people per room with meals; and (P) private accommodations with meals.
Please note, on certain weeks, room availability may be limited.

Cedar Lakes does not assign roommates for semi-private rooms.
Package meals for the weekend classes begin with breakfast on Saturday and end with lunch on Sunday.
Meals for weeklong classes begin with breakfast on Monday and end with lunch on Friday.
Commuters may add meals to their reservation, if so desired.
For weeklong classes, a Meet & Greet will be on Sunday evening at 7:00 pm in the Holt Lodge Meeting Room.

Week Workshops

Commuter: $254.40
Dorm: $477.00
Holt Lodge (Private): $879.80
Holt Lodge (Semi-Private): $630.70

Weekend Workshops

Commuter: $159.00
Dorm: $241.68
Holt Lodge (Private): $402.80
Holt Lodge (Semi-Private): $303.16

Old Time Fiddle ONLY (March 24-29)

Mountaineer (Private): $832.10
Mountaineer (Semi-Private): $606.85
Mountaineer (Dormitory): $477.00

Dormitory lodging does not include sheets, blankets, or towels. Sheets and towels are available to rent for $5.00 per guest. Blankets are available to rent for additional $5.00

Additional lodging options may be available. Please inquire with the Program Coordinator.

Class size is limited to maximize the learning opportunity—apply early to insure your place.
These workshops are available without regard to race, national origin, sex, or handicap.
If the minimum enrollment is not met two weeks prior to the date of the class, the workshop could be cancelled, and students offered alternate classes.
Full payment of the class is due 30 days prior to the start of the class.
A fee will be charged for any returned checks.

If students do not receive confirmation from Cedar Lakes staff, they must follow up to guarantee their registration was received.
Cedar Lakes will not accept phone registrations. All registrations must be submitted via a registration form either through mail, email or online.
ALL registrations will receive an email confirmation from Cedar Lakes confirming the receipt of the registration and deposit. If you do not receive confirmation, please contact the Program Coordinator immediately.
Cedar Lakes is not responsible for lost or incomplete registration forms.

All classes will have a $100 non-refundable deposit*.
Deposit must be submitted with the registration form, or a credit card may be taken over the phone.
Because some classes may have waiting lists, students will not be enrolled until the full amount of deposit and registration form are received.
Cedar Lakes does not guarantee enrollment in classes unless confirmed by the Program Coordinator.
All confirmed enrollments will receive confirmation from Cedar Lakes.

We appreciate your understanding of our cancellation policies and willingness to abide by them. Because these classes require out of area travel for many of our instructors and students, we ask that you please help us to avoid unnecessary cancellations.
Minimum enrollment must be met for classes to proceed, and late cancellations can often result in a class cancellation.
Because of the costs associated with Cedar Lakes staff and instructors’ time, transportation and materials, deposits will be non-refundable in all circumstances except emergency situations.*

Any deposits applied for a class that is cancelled by Cedar Lakes will be refunded in full or transferred to an alternate class, at the student’s discretion.
Any outstanding deposits at the end of the year will be returned to the student using the original payment method.

All payments received (excluding the $100 non-refundable deposit) are eligible for a refund if notice is received 30 days prior to the beginning of the class.*
If notification is not given 30 days prior, the remaining deposit can be rolled over to a future class.*
A complete refund will be made if Cedar Lakes is required to cancel a workshop due to insufficient enrollment. The student also has the option to transfer to another workshop or roll the deposit over to a future workshop.

Folk Art at the Lakes

Craft Workshops Terms (click to expand)

Fees/Tuition, Meals and Lodging

Rates

Instructional Hours

Workshop Supply Lists/Fees

Registration

Deposits

Accommodations

Cancellations

Refunds

*Exceptions

How to Register