Studio Arts Programs

The studio arts program at MMAM give visitors a chance to immerse themselves in a new art-making form, and to learn a new skill. Different workshops are geared towards different art forms, ages, and skill levels.

Upcoming MMAM workshops:

Featured

Workshop: Painting the Day - Plein Air Oil Painting with Joshua Cunningham

Oct 3

Oct 3, 2025 – Oct 4, 2025

Workshop: Painting the Day - Plein Air Oil Painting with Joshua Cunningham

Oct 3, 2025 – Oct 4, 2025

Join plein air painter, Joshua Cunningham, for a special 2-day oil plein air painting workshop. Each day will be unique and subject to the time, place, and weather. In this workshop, participants will examine how some foundational principles of the prismatic palette can deepen the understanding of how light and air reveal the world, helping us see and share in the gift of each day.

→ Learn more + register.

Oct 3, 2025 – Oct 4, 2025

Workshop: Master the Basics - Ink and Watercolor Sketching with Kar-Keat Chong

Oct 3

Oct 3, 2025 – Oct 4, 2025

Workshop: Master the Basics - Ink and Watercolor Sketching with Kar-Keat Chong

Oct 3, 2025 – Oct 4, 2025

Join Kar-Keat Chong, artist, architect, educator and worldly Urban Sketcher for his workshop “Master the Basics: Ink and Watercolor Sketching with Kar-Keat Chong.” Designed to develop confidence and understand the dynamics of sketching on location. Come away with the skills and passion for life-long learning as you embark on your artistic expression through sketching.

→ Learn more + register.

Oct 3, 2025 – Oct 4, 2025

Workshop: Mapping Water - A Quilting Workshop with Shea Schachameyer

Oct 25

Oct 25, 2025

Workshop: Mapping Water - A Quilting Workshop with Shea Schachameyer

Oct 25, 2025

Join textile artist Shea for an immersive one-day workshop exploring the intersection of place, water, and textile arts. Participants will create a beautiful 6" x 6" textile map featuring the waterways of the Mississippi River near the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, using accessible stencil techniques that can be replicated at home.

→ learn more.

Oct 25, 2025

Workshop: State Fair Seed Art with Nick Rindo

Nov 1

Nov 1, 2025 – Nov 2, 2025

Workshop: State Fair Seed Art with Nick Rindo

Nov 1, 2025 – Nov 2, 2025

Join Minneapolis-based artist Nick Rindo for an all-inclusive introduction to Minnesota State Fair Crop Art. This workshop provides all the tools and knowledge required to submit your first entry in next year's State Fair. The session reviews current rules and categories while exploring the rich history of Minnesota crop art.

→ learn more.

Nov 1, 2025 – Nov 2, 2025

Workshop: Handbuilt Ceramic Cup Set with Will Brzezinski (Day 1/2)

Nov 15

Nov 15, 2025

Workshop: Handbuilt Ceramic Cup Set with Will Brzezinski (Day 1/2)

Nov 15, 2025

Join Winona-based ceramic artist Will Brzezinski for an immersive two-day workshop where you'll create your very own set of beautiful, functional ceramic cups—no pottery wheel required! This beginner-friendly experience opens the door to the ceramic arts through accessible hand-building techniques that anyone can master.

→ learn more.

Nov 15, 2025

Craft + Cocktail: Block-Printed Greeting Card Sets with Marlie Voigt

Nov 20

Nov 20, 2025

Craft + Cocktail: Block-Printed Greeting Card Sets with Marlie Voigt

Nov 20, 2025

Spread holiday cheer with handcrafted block-print cards in this creative workshop at MMAM! Sip a handcrafted cocktail from Waterbar Cafe + Provisions while you carve, ink, and print a beautiful set of cards ready to share with loved ones.

→ learn more.

Nov 20, 2025

Workshop: Relief Woodcuts with Kevin Ewing

Nov 22

Nov 22, 2025

Workshop: Relief Woodcuts with Kevin Ewing

Nov 22, 2025

Curious about wood carving? This relaxed, hands-on class is for you! You will be provided with an 8”x10” basswood board and tools to use for this day-long, relief carving experience. With step-by-step guidance from the instructor, you will learn to use three different gouges and the marks they can make as practice.

→ learn more.

Nov 22, 2025

Workshop: Handbuilt Ceramic Cup Set with Will Brzezinski (Day 2/2)

Nov 29

Nov 29, 2025

Workshop: Handbuilt Ceramic Cup Set with Will Brzezinski (Day 2/2)

Nov 29, 2025

→ learn more.

Nov 29, 2025

Craft + Cocktail: Creative Gift Wrapping with Tove Wiggs

Dec 11

Dec 11, 2025

Craft + Cocktail: Creative Gift Wrapping with Tove Wiggs

Dec 11, 2025

Level up your gift-giving with sustainable, beautiful wrapping techniques using everyday household items and natural materials! Learn furoshiki fabric wrapping, create stunning bows from twine and raffia, and discover how to turn brown paper bags and dried fruits into elegant presentations that are as memorable as the gifts inside.

→ learn more.

Dec 11, 2025

“Very pleasant experience. I was looking for an uplifting experience that lifted me to another level of understanding the creating process.”

— Workshop Participant

Scholarships

The Minnesota Marine Art Museum studio arts workshop scholarship fund has been made available thanks to a grant funded by the Minnesota State Arts Board. While anyone with financial need is welcome to apply, the goals of the scholarship program are as follows (in no particular order): to increase the diversity of age and race in our student body; to offer opportunities to local residents of the Winona area; to support the learning of those with professional aspirations in a particular craft area; and to make our programming available to those with financial need.

An individual may receive one scholarship per year maximum. Scholarships cover full tuition and materials fee, though participants are required to supply any additional required materials.

Workshops Form

Name

First Name

Last Name

Address

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Phone

(###)

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Course & Title Dates

Course Tuition

Materials Fee

Please share with us why you are interested in this particular course, and what you hope to gain from this experience (200 words or fewer)

Please tell us why a scholarship makes this course accessible to you (100 words or fewer)

Are you interested in teaching a workshop at MMAM?

Instructor Application Form

Name

First Name

Last Name

Phone

(###)

###

####

Workshop Title

Class description

Student Experience Level Required

Class Length + Format

Desired compensation rate (per hour)

Link to your website/social media

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Support for the Studio Arts Program

The Studio Arts program is presented by the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, a nonprofit mission-driven art museum located on the shores of the Upper Mississippi River.

MMAM gratefully acknowledges sustaining support from generous contributions from foundations, corporations, individuals, members and volunteers, including ongoing support from our Board of Directors, the Mardag Foundation, the Morgan Family Foundation.

Special thanks to our Presenting Partner, AmericInn By Wyndham Winona.

PRESentING partner

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.