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Summer Program

WEEK-LONG RESIDENTIAL CLASSES FROM MAY – OCTOBER
The Summer Program, which runs from May through October, is The Clearing’s oldest and the one that most closely resembles Jensen’s original folk school vision. The mainstay of the Summer Program is week-long classes, with 25 to 35 students and instructors living at The Clearing, eating family-style meals and renewing their spirit through close contact with the native landscape. The Clearing experience is made up of many special components. The classes, sense of community, forests, meadows, water, sunsets, home-cooked meals, traditions and history all blend to create a wonderful place to learn, relax, reflect and make new friends.

2025 Summer Program
Registration Dates Announced

-- GENERAL REGISTRATION --
General Registration Start Date #1: February 25, 2025
Registration for classes held between April 27 and August 2 begins February 25, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time.

General Registration Start Date #2: February 27, 2025
Registration for classes held between August 3 and October 31 begins February 27, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time.

On General Registration Start Dates #1 and #2 (see above), an individual may register for him/herself and one other person.

-- LIFE MEMBER REGISTRATION --
Life Member Registration Start Date: February 20, 2025
Friends of The Clearing Life Members may register for all Summer Program classes beginning on February 20, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time.

On the Life Member Registration Start Date (see above), a Friend of The Clearing Life Member may register for him/herself and one other person who is also a life member.

2025 Summer Program Calendar

-click on class tiles below for complete class descriptions and to register-
MonthCurrent Month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

2025

WEEK1 :: CLASS# 1 27apr(apr 27)6:01 pm03may(may 3)9:00 amHave Another Cookie - Making Quilts with Curves #1Judy Hasheider

WEEK1 :: CLASS# 2 27apr(apr 27)6:02 pm03may(may 3)9:00 amBand Weaving #2Joan Sheridan

WEEK1 :: CLASS# 3 27apr(apr 27)6:03 pm03may(may 3)9:00 amBeginning Forging #3James Viste

WEEK1 :: CLASS# 4 27apr(apr 27)6:04 pm03may(may 3)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #4

WEEK2 :: CLASS# 5 04may(may 4)6:01 pm10(may 10)9:00 amSpring into Watercolor Landscapes #5Kari Anderson

WEEK2 :: CLASS# 6 04may(may 4)6:02 pm10(may 10)9:00 amHand Embroidery with Vintage and Repurposed Fabrics #6Laurel Izard

WEEK2 :: CLASS# 7 04may(may 4)6:03 pm10(may 10)9:00 amIntaglio Relief Wood Carving - Spring #7Greg Wirtz

WEEK2 :: CLASS# 8 04may(may 4)6:04 pm10(may 10)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #8

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK3 :: CLASS# 9 11may(may 11)6:01 pm17(may 17)9:00 amSpring Birds of Northern Woods and Waters #9Gerry and Maureen Janz

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK3 :: CLASS# 10 11may(may 11)6:02 pm17(may 17)9:00 amSpring Photography on Your iPhone #10Karen Alesch

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK3 :: CLASS# 11 11may(may 11)6:03 pm17(may 17)9:00 amWoodturning Made Easy #11Rob Nelson

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK3 :: CLASS# 12 11may(may 11)6:04 pm17(may 17)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #12

WEEK4 :: CLASS# 13 18may(may 18)6:01 pm24(may 24)9:00 amWatercolor Excitement #13Ed Fenendael

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK4 :: CLASS# 14 18may(may 18)6:02 pm24(may 24)9:00 amWriting From Your Life: Memoir and Personal Essay #14Margaret Hawkins

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK4 :: CLASS# 15 18may(may 18)6:03 pm24(may 24)9:00 amCopper Enameling and Beyond #15Julie Lukosaitis

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK4 :: CLASS# 16 18may(may 18)6:04 pm24(may 24)9:00 amSpring Wildflowers #16Larry Morrison

WEEK4 :: CLASS# 17 18may(may 18)6:16 pm24(may 24)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #17

WEEK5 :: CLASS# 18 25may(may 25)6:01 pm31(may 31)9:00 amIllustrated Nature Journal #18Cynthia Quinn

WEEK5 :: CLASS# 19 25may(may 25)6:02 pm31(may 31)9:00 amPoetry Camp: Your Next Book #19Robin Chapman

WEEK5 :: CLASS# 20 25may(may 25)6:03 pm31(may 31)9:00 amRe-use, Re-cycle, Re-imagine a Clothing Piece #20Kipp Inglis

WEEK5 :: CLASS# 111 25may(may 25)6:06 pm31(may 31)9:00 amBeginning Glass Fusing #111Nance Tucker

WEEK5 :: CLASS# 22 25may(may 25)6:21 pm31(may 31)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #22

MonthCurrent Month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

2025

WEEK6 :: CLASS# 23 01jun6:01 pm07(jun 7)9:00 amSpinning: Playing with Plying #23Deb Jones

WEEK6 :: CLASS# 24 01jun6:02 pm07(jun 7)9:00 amPhotoshop Elements for Scrapbooking, Framing, and Competition #24Bill Brown and Gary Taylor

WEEK6 :: CLASS# 25 01jun6:03 pm07(jun 7)9:00 amOff the Beaten Path in Spring: Exploring Door County’s Wild Places, Birds, Wildflowers and More #25Paul Regnier

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK6 :: CLASS# 26 01jun6:04 pm07(jun 7)9:00 amUnleash Your Story: Uncovering Themes & Threads Of Your Unique Life #26Heather 'Byrd'

WEEK6 :: CLASS# 27 01jun6:26 pm07(jun 7)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #27

WEEK7 :: CLASS# 28 08jun(jun 8)6:01 pm14(jun 14)9:00 amThe Way of the Brush #28Seth Taylor

WEEK7 :: CLASS# 29 08jun(jun 8)6:02 pm14(jun 14)9:00 amYou Are Here: Poetry of Nature and the Nature of Self #29Marty McConnell

WEEK7 :: CLASS# 30 08jun(jun 8)6:03 pm14(jun 14)9:00 amBasket Weaving & Decorative Gourd Workshop #30Denise Arzberger and Annelies Gebert

WEEK7 :: CLASS# 31 08jun(jun 8)6:04 pm14(jun 14)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #31

WEEK8 :: CLASS# 32 15jun(jun 15)6:01 pm21(jun 21)9:00 amTWO DIMENSIONAL (2D) DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS #32Kay Brathol-Hostvet

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK8 :: CLASS# 33 15jun(jun 15)6:02 pm21(jun 21)9:00 amFine Woodworking: Build Custom Furniture or a Small Table #33Curt Wessel and Gene Kenny

WEEK8 :: CLASS# 34 15jun(jun 15)6:03 pm21(jun 21)9:00 amDrawing in Nature #34Barbara Manager

WEEK8 :: CLASS# 35 15jun(jun 15)6:04 pm21(jun 21)9:00 amA Week On the Edge - Knifesmithing #35Jeremiah Backhaus

WEEK8 :: CLASS# 36 15jun(jun 15)6:35 pm21(jun 21)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #36

WEEK9 :: CLASS# 37 22jun(jun 22)6:01 pm28(jun 28)9:00 amDrawing Nature in Colored Pencil #37Kimberly Mullarkey

WEEK9 :: CLASS# 38 22jun(jun 22)6:02 pm28(jun 28)9:00 amWith Thy Needle: Working with Wool and Slow Stitching #38Judy Hasheider

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK9 :: CLASS# 39 22jun(jun 22)6:03 pm28(jun 28)9:00 amThe Joy of Weaving: Open Studio for Newer Weavers #39Geke de Vries

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK9 :: CLASS# 40 22jun(jun 22)6:04 pm28(jun 28)9:00 amSteel Sculpture #40Brad Nichols

WEEK9 :: CLASS# 41 22jun(jun 22)6:40 pm28(jun 28)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #41

WEEK10 :: CLASS# 42 29jun(jun 29)6:01 pm05jul(jul 5)9:00 amBeginning & Intermediate Pastel #42Sandra Place

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK10 :: CLASS# 43 29jun(jun 29)6:02 pm05jul(jul 5)9:00 amMaking Glass Beads and Blowing Glass Ornaments #43Julie Lukosaitis

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK10 :: CLASS# 44 29jun(jun 29)6:03 pm05jul(jul 5)9:00 amPaper Arts: Marbling, Bookbinding, and Paper Cartonnage #44Nancy Akerly

WEEK10 :: CLASS# 45 29jun(jun 29)6:04 pm05jul(jul 5)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #45

MonthCurrent Month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

2025

WEEK10 :: CLASS# 42 29jun(jun 29)6:01 pm05jul(jul 5)9:00 amBeginning & Intermediate Pastel #42Sandra Place

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK10 :: CLASS# 43 29jun(jun 29)6:02 pm05jul(jul 5)9:00 amMaking Glass Beads and Blowing Glass Ornaments #43Julie Lukosaitis

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK10 :: CLASS# 44 29jun(jun 29)6:03 pm05jul(jul 5)9:00 amPaper Arts: Marbling, Bookbinding, and Paper Cartonnage #44Nancy Akerly

WEEK10 :: CLASS# 45 29jun(jun 29)6:04 pm05jul(jul 5)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #45

WEEK11 :: CLASS# 46 06jul(jul 6)6:01 pm12(jul 12)9:00 amSoft Pastel Landscape Adventure #46Kay Brathol-Hostvet

WEEK11 :: CLASS# 47 06jul(jul 6)6:02 pm12(jul 12)9:00 amThe Rainbow of Color from Plants as Fabric Dye #47Kipp Inglis

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK11 :: CLASS# 48 06jul(jul 6)6:03 pm12(jul 12)9:00 amA “Fire” Combo: Forging & Glass Bead Making #48Julie Lukosaitis and James Viste

WEEK11 :: CLASS# 49 06jul(jul 6)6:04 pm12(jul 12)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #49

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK12 :: CLASS# 50 13jul(jul 13)6:01 pm19(jul 19)9:00 amChamber Music for Strings #50Katherine Decker & Taylor Giorgio

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK12 :: CLASS# 51 13jul(jul 13)6:02 pm19(jul 19)9:00 amLandscape Design Inspired by Nature and Music #51Darrel Morrison

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK12 :: CLASS# 52 13jul(jul 13)6:03 pm19(jul 19)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #52

WEEK13 :: CLASS# 53 20jul(jul 20)6:01 pm26(jul 26)9:00 amRecorder At The Clearing #53Pat Badger

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK13 :: CLASS# 54 20jul(jul 20)6:02 pm26(jul 26)9:00 amBasket & Forged Handle Combo #54Denise Arzberger & James Viste

WEEK13 :: CLASS# 55 20jul(jul 20)6:03 pm26(jul 26)9:00 amHike, Bike and Paddle Door County #55Bob Bultman and Kelly King

WEEK13 :: CLASS# 56 20jul(jul 20)6:04 pm26(jul 26)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #56

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK14 :: CLASS# 57 27jul(jul 27)6:01 pm02aug(aug 2)9:00 amWater, Waves, Skies and Beaches in Watercolor or Graphite #57Lee Mothes

WEEK14 :: CLASS# 58 27jul(jul 27)6:02 pm02aug(aug 2)9:00 amCrochet From the Basics to More #58Lori Carlson

WEEK14 :: CLASS# 59 27jul(jul 27)6:03 pm02aug(aug 2)9:00 amI Forged a Knife and I Know How to Use It! #59Jeremiah Backhaus and Erik Rinkleff

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK14 :: CLASS# 60 27jul(jul 27)6:04 pm02aug(aug 2)9:00 amStained Glass Creations #60Jill Wicke

WEEK14 :: CLASS# 61 27jul(jul 27)6:05 pm02aug(aug 2)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #61

MonthCurrent Month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

2025

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK14 :: CLASS# 57 27jul(jul 27)6:01 pm02aug(aug 2)9:00 amWater, Waves, Skies and Beaches in Watercolor or Graphite #57Lee Mothes

WEEK14 :: CLASS# 58 27jul(jul 27)6:02 pm02aug(aug 2)9:00 amCrochet From the Basics to More #58Lori Carlson

WEEK14 :: CLASS# 59 27jul(jul 27)6:03 pm02aug(aug 2)9:00 amI Forged a Knife and I Know How to Use It! #59Jeremiah Backhaus and Erik Rinkleff

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK14 :: CLASS# 60 27jul(jul 27)6:04 pm02aug(aug 2)9:00 amStained Glass Creations #60Jill Wicke

WEEK14 :: CLASS# 61 27jul(jul 27)6:05 pm02aug(aug 2)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #61

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK15 :: CLASS# 62 03aug(aug 3)6:01 pm09(aug 9)9:00 amPlein Air with Pastels #62John Ribble

WEEK15 :: CLASS# 63 03aug(aug 3)6:02 pm09(aug 9)9:00 amIncredible Indigo and Fabric Patterning with Shibori #63Kippian Inglis

WEEK15 :: CLASS# 64 03aug(aug 3)6:03 pm09(aug 9)9:00 amThe Writers Workshop: Making Flash Connections, Short Form into Long #64Albert DeGenova

WEEK15 :: CLASS# 65 03aug(aug 3)6:04 pm09(aug 9)9:00 amThe Writers’ Workshop: Poetry #65Albert DeGenova

WEEK15 :: CLASS# 66 03aug(aug 3)6:05 pm09(aug 9)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #66

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK16 :: CLASS# 67 10aug(aug 10)6:01 pm16(aug 16)9:00 amThe Art Quilt - Open Studio #67Wendy Butler Berns

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK16 :: CLASS# 68 10aug(aug 10)6:02 pm16(aug 16)9:00 amCultivating Mindfulness: Growing a Life-long Practice #68Beth Coleman

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK16 :: CLASS# 69 10aug(aug 10)6:03 pm16(aug 16)9:00 amBeginning Glass Fusing #69Nance Tucker

WEEK16 :: CLASS# 70 10aug(aug 10)6:04 pm16(aug 16)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #70

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK17 :: CLASS# 71 17aug(aug 17)6:01 pm23(aug 23)9:00 amFoundational Watercolor #71Dawn Flores

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK17 :: CLASS# 72 17aug(aug 17)6:02 pm23(aug 23)9:00 amJames by Percival Everett #72Jeff Doane

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK17 :: CLASS# 73 17aug(aug 17)6:03 pm23(aug 23)9:00 amThe Joy of Weaving: Open Studio Retreat #73Geke de Vries

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK17 :: CLASS# 74 17aug(aug 17)6:04 pm23(aug 23)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #74

WEEK18 :: CLASS# 75 24aug(aug 24)6:01 pm30(aug 30)9:00 amCompelling Landscapes with Watercolor #75Gary Hanks

WEEK18 :: CLASS# 76 24aug(aug 24)6:02 pm30(aug 30)9:00 amTaming Varigated Yarns: Planned Pooling & Assigned Pooling for Knitting #76Robin Geller

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK18 :: CLASS# 77 24aug(aug 24)6:03 pm30(aug 30)9:00 amMoku-hanga: An Introduction to Japanese Printmaking #77Alfred Stark

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK18 :: CLASS# 78 24aug(aug 24)6:04 pm30(aug 30)9:00 amForge and Foundry Combo - Introduction to Forging and Bronze Casting #78James Viste

WEEK18 :: CLASS# 79 24aug(aug 24)6:05 pm30(aug 30)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #79

MonthCurrent Month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

2025

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK19 :: CLASS# 80 07sep(sep 7)6:01 pm13(sep 13)9:00 amFundamentals of Drawing #80John Ribble

WEEK19 :: CLASS# 81 07sep(sep 7)6:02 pm13(sep 13)9:00 amHand Embroidery with Vintage and Repurposed Fabrics #81Laurel Izard

WEEK19 :: CLASS# 82 07sep(sep 7)6:03 pm13(sep 13)9:00 amHand Caning - 7- Step Method with Caning needles #82Lynn Nulicek

WEEK19 :: CLASS# 83 07sep(sep 7)6:04 pm13(sep 13)9:00 amRepurposing T-shirts into Woven Table Runners #83JoEl Logiudice

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK19 :: CLASS# 84 07sep(sep 7)6:05 pm13(sep 13)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #84

WEEK20 :: CLASS# 85 14sep(sep 14)6:01 pm20(sep 20)9:00 amPaper Cartonnage Exploration #85Nancy Akerly

WEEK20 :: CLASS# 86 14sep(sep 14)6:02 pm20(sep 20)9:00 amTouch the Earth: Connect with Nature #86Debbie Gille

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK20 :: CLASS# 87 14sep(sep 14)6:03 pm20(sep 20)9:00 amCarving The Flat-Plane Figure #87Erik Rinkleff

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK20 :: CLASS# 88 14sep(sep 14)6:04 pm20(sep 20)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #88

WEEK21 :: CLASS# 89 21sep(sep 21)6:01 pm27(sep 27)9:00 amHave Another Cookie - Making Quilts with Curves #89Judy Hasheider

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK21 :: CLASS# 90 21sep(sep 21)6:02 pm27(sep 27)9:00 amCreative Recharge Retreat #90Sharon Nesbit-Davis

WEEK21 :: CLASS# 91 21sep(sep 21)6:03 pm27(sep 27)9:00 amGet Your Axe together #91Jeremiah Backhaus

WEEK21 :: CLASS# 92 21sep(sep 21)6:04 pm27(sep 27)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #92

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK22 :: CLASS# 93 28sep(sep 28)6:01 pm04oct(oct 4)9:00 amPainting the Four Seasons with Fabric #93Susan Hoffmann

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK22 :: CLASS# 94 28sep(sep 28)6:02 pm04oct(oct 4)9:00 amWomen Writers' Retreat #94Sharon Nesbit-Davis

WEEK22 :: CLASS# 95 28sep(sep 28)6:03 pm04oct(oct 4)9:00 amINTAGLIO Relief WOOD CarvinG - autumn #95Greg Wirtz

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK22 :: CLASS# 96 28sep(sep 28)6:04 pm04oct(oct 4)9:00 amPainting Expressive Flora #96Carmen Duran

WEEK22 :: CLASS# 97 28sep(sep 28)6:04 pm04oct(oct 4)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #97

MonthCurrent Month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

2025

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK22 :: CLASS# 93 28sep(sep 28)6:01 pm04oct(oct 4)9:00 amPainting the Four Seasons with Fabric #93Susan Hoffmann

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK22 :: CLASS# 94 28sep(sep 28)6:02 pm04oct(oct 4)9:00 amWomen Writers' Retreat #94Sharon Nesbit-Davis

WEEK22 :: CLASS# 95 28sep(sep 28)6:03 pm04oct(oct 4)9:00 amINTAGLIO Relief WOOD CarvinG - autumn #95Greg Wirtz

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK22 :: CLASS# 96 28sep(sep 28)6:04 pm04oct(oct 4)9:00 amPainting Expressive Flora #96Carmen Duran

WEEK22 :: CLASS# 97 28sep(sep 28)6:04 pm04oct(oct 4)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #97

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK23 :: CLASS# 98 05oct(oct 5)6:01 pm11(oct 11)9:00 amOil Painting: Create Painterly Impressions from your photos #98Frankie Johnson

WEEK23 :: CLASS# 99 05oct(oct 5)6:02 pm11(oct 11)9:00 amThe Art of Nature and Outdoor Photography #99Hank Erdmann

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK23 :: CLASS# 100 05oct(oct 5)6:03 pm11(oct 11)9:00 amOff The Beaten Path: Exploring Door County's Natural Treasures #100Terrie Cooper & Mike Schneider

WEEK23 :: CLASS# 101 05oct(oct 5)6:04 pm11(oct 11)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #101

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK24 :: CLASS# 102 12oct(oct 12)6:01 pm18(oct 18)9:00 amPainting Nature in Watercolor #102Chris Sommerfelt

WEEK24 :: CLASS# 103 12oct(oct 12)6:02 pm18(oct 18)9:00 amKnitters Choice: Norwegian Mittens or Open Knitting #103Joan Sheridan

WEEK24 :: CLASS# 104 12oct(oct 12)6:03 pm18(oct 18)9:00 amOpen Studio for Woodworkers #104Curt Wessel

WEEK24 :: CLASS# 105 12oct(oct 12)6:04 pm18(oct 18)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #105

WEEK25 :: CLASS# 106 19oct(oct 19)6:01 pm25(oct 25)9:00 amTraditional Quilting Open Studio #106Kathy Swanson

WEEK25 :: CLASS# 107 19oct(oct 19)6:02 pm25(oct 25)9:00 amNatural History and Geology of Door County #107Roger Kuhns

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK25 :: CLASS# 108 19oct(oct 19)6:03 pm25(oct 25)9:00 amWood Turning Gifts #108Rob Nelson

WEEK25 :: CLASS# 109 19oct(oct 19)6:04 pm25(oct 25)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #109

WEEK26 :: CLASS# 110 26oct(oct 26)6:04 pm31(oct 31)9:00 amClearing Retreat Week #110