Weaving Rugs with Dianna Soehren
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 16
Date: Friday through Sunday
Class 1: Nov 8, 9 & 10, 2024
Registration deadline: October 19, 2024
Class 2: April 11, 12 & 13, 2025
Registration deadline: March 22, 2025
Class 3: Nov 7, 8 & 9, 2025
Registration deadline: October 18, 2025
Time: Friday 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, TBD
Location: Milan Community Center Textile Studio
If you’ve thought about making your own rugs or table coverings but just never had the space to house a loom, here’s an opportunity to get inspired, learn how to start your project and get assistance when you need it most. Dianna will help students set up to use the looms in the Loom Room. Students will learn the basics of preparing fabrics, choosing a design, warping and beginning to weave.
Those who would like to continue their projects can schedule time with Dianna on Saturday and Sunday to work on their projects from beginning to end.
Tuition: member $110 non-member $125
Supplies: $10 or more based on supplies used. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class. Students should provide their own material.
Click here to register.
Read Dianna Soehren’s bio
Broom Making with Robin Moore
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 14. Kids under 14 may attend with an accompanying adult. Please call Robin for exception requests.
Date: Saturday July 26, 2025
Time: Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration deadline: July 5, 2025
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Few things are as satisfying as making your own beautiful tools for daily use. Brooms have been made by hand for centuries. Students in this class will learn a simple way to create a broom from raw materials. The broom you make will last for years and you will never buy another at a store again. Brooms will be between 12 and 42 inches long according to preference. Robin will have a selection of handles to choose from at class.
Please note that this class requires significant hand strength. Please wear enclosed shoes with flexible soles.
Tuition: member $90 non-member $105
Supplies: $35 – The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
Call Robin at 320-269-6176 with questions or to discuss broom handles.
Click here to register.
Read Robin Moore’s bio
Picture Framing Workshop: Two Day with John Kellen
Age/Level: No experience needed. Minimum age 16.
Class 1: Saturday, & Sunday, November 23 & 24, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: November 2, 2024
Class 2: Saturday, & Sunday, May 10 & 11, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: April 19, 2025
Class 3: Saturday, & Sunday, November 22 & 23, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: November 1, 2025
Location: Milan Community Center Framing Studio
The Framing Studio at the Milan Village Arts School is a complete framing workshop. This class will show you how to use the resources at the school to make wood frames, cut mats, cut glass, hinge artwork and assemble the pieces to give your artwork polish.
There will be tips on design, but the focus of this class will be the mechanics of using these simple tools so that you can have the expertise to solve most any framing problem.
On the Saturday morning, John will demonstrate in detail the complete process of framing a piece of art. On the Saturday afternoon and Sunday, students will work both independently and with John to complete at least one framing project. If projects are not completed at the end of the class, students are welcome to return to the studio to finish their projects at no extra cost.
Tuition: member $110 non-member $125
Members who have taken this workshop have access to the Framing Room to work on their own projects. To continue using the Framing Studio, students need to be a member for the first year after the workshop. After the first year, users of the Framing Studio no longer need to be a member. Due to the costs of maintaining and renting the studio space, there is a fee for using the Framing Studio. Cost: $10/half-day or $15/day. As an alumni and past member of the MVAS, you are welcome to use the Framing Room for a nominal fee of $5 per visit. This fee is added to the member fee. Cost: $15/half-day or $20/day.
Click here to register.
Read John Kellen’s bio.
Textile Studio
The Textile Studio gives students the opportunity to create beautiful rugs from old jeans, blankets, and other articles of clothing. Outfitted with six large floor looms and several smaller table looms, the studio is well equipped to meet all our students weaving needs.
Students can either use the studio by appointment or join a weaving group that meets on arranged dates over the year.
The Weaving Rugs class will provide you with all the elementary skills needed to get weaving.
Students who use the Textile Studio need to be MVAS members.
Studio fee: There is no fee. Looms are maintained with warp at no cost. Students are required to supply their own material.
Please contact the school for more information.
Framing Studio
The Milan Village Arts School Framing Studio provides a unique opportunity for students and artists to professionally frame their artwork. Equipped with a computerized Wizard mat cutter, the Framing Studio is a fully-functional framing workshop. Artists can make frames, cut mats and glass, back their artwork, add bumpers and hanging wire, and leave with a professionally framed painting, print, or photograph.
Students who complete the Picture Framing Workshop will acquire all the skills necessary to access this studio.
MVAS has a large selection of matting in the studio for purchase. The school also has an account with TC Moulding in Minneapolis and students can order framing materials at wholesale prices.
Requirements: Completion of a Framing workshop and MVAS Membership.
Studio fee: $10/ half day, $15/day. Most of the supplies including, tape, staples, backing paper, wire, and bumpers are complimentary.
Use of the studio is by appointment. Past members are welcome to return to use the studio for a small additional fee of $5 in addition to the fees listed above: $15/half day, $20/day.