Updates
An Ode to May
After a long winter, May on the North Shore feels like being reborn. In this blog post, intern Teagan Weiss writes about the bounty of spring ephemerals, and approaching the halfway point of the internship.
Northern Landscapes Festival 2026
Spring is an explosion of life in the north! Deepen your connection to the natural world at this year's Northern Landscapes Festival, with free evening programs happening on campus May 28-30.
Hide Tanning: Why Do It? A Weeklong Exploration at North House Folk School
Every traditional craft practice raises the question: why bother? With hide tanning specifically, this question takes on a different depth. Program Director Jessa Frost writes about Hide Week, and the why of traditional tanning.
Armchairs and Ultramarine Blue
Inspired by the electric blues of Sweden, Lauren Newby set out to mix the perfect ultramarine for her Windsor armchair, using a combination of milk paint and raw earth pigments.
May First Fridays: Steam Machine
On Friday, May 1, join us for a free concert with Steam Machine, 7pm in the Blue Building! Enjoy old-time, foot-stomping bluegrass. Arrive at 5:30pm for Dinner on a Stick.
Birding and Botanizing May 2026
The northwoods change so quickly in the spring. This May, spend a morning outside Birding and Botanizing with naturalists Joe Walewski and Joe Lutz!
Reflections on the 2026 Instructor Retreat
The 2026 Instructor Retreat brought together over 90 instructors from around the country. Program Director Jessa Frost reflects on the time together, and on craft's power to nurture our wellbeing.
Meet our Hide Week 2026 Featured Guest Instructors!
Hide Week returns May 12-18, and North House is excited to welcome an incredibly talented group of guest instructors! Read on to learn more about them and what they're teaching during their stay.
First Fridays April 2026
First Fridays community events continue this spring! Join us for a pizza bake potluck on Friday, April 3 at 6pm. Free and open to all. We hope to see you there!
Summer Photography Workshop
Registration is open for our summer photography workshop, led by editorial photographer Layne Kennedy! Explore and capture the scenic shores of Lake Superior, July 15-19.