In Lester Park, tucked in an old church, artists in residence have come together to host classes to teach and share their techniques with anyone. Spirit of the Lake Community Arts (SOLCA) is a recent addition to the Lakeside Duluth area.

A deal was struck for artists in residence use half of the old church for their craft, but also as a community center to teach others. It all started 2 years ago when the old church on N 54th Ave E and 5401 E Superior St was up for sale.

The building had been a Waldorf school and had been closed for some time. Artists in the community approached and made a deal with the Waldorf board. Merging the groups together they made it so Waldorf could keep their presence as the artist grow their own. Inside the building small businesses and artists use the space to make their works, but also to teach classes.

SOLCA has been offering a variety of classes for all ages since its creation 2 years ago. From bookbinding and letterpress printing to woodcarving and sewing. The classes remain open ended as even tap dancing and aerialists have found a home in this new art community center. The center already has a strong connection with the Lincoln Park Folk school and the Duluth Art Institue.

The artists are not in competition with any other as they simply offer a new venue and want to help the community grow, especially aiming for underserved communities. An example of this can be seen in there Friday Afternoon Art classes.

Friday Afternoon Art Classes

Alison Aune, an art teacher at the University of Minnesota Duluth, is one the artists and residents of the Spirit of the Lake Community Arts. And wanted to start classes the minute they got in the building. The first year was filled with bringing in supplies to the Great Hall and teaching homeschoolers and kids related to the Waldorf school.

As the classes have continued, they have expanded to include kids from all over and this year opened the classes to all ages. Each week they have a unique theme, allowing people to try new materials and new approaches to art making.

People can sign up and find the materials online. The payment goes through online, so then on Friday they can have the supplies and a space ready for those interested.

The board and artists at SOLCA are always inviting people to come and propose a new program idea or a new class they want to teach. Alison said, “we’re not just taking ideas from a variety of cultures, we’re learning about cultures and kind of the human desire for communication and expression. And often through art, we do have community building, you know, we’re together.”

Friday Afternoon Art classes happen every Friday throughout the standard school year, as all ages and people are invited to come and try different approaches to art.

Classes with Alison Aune

From 3:15pm – 4:30pm, all ages are welcome to join Alison Aune in her Friday Afternoon Art classes

• January: Drawing Still Lives
• February: Painting Portraits, Realism to Abstraction
• March: Printing & Simple Book Making
• April: Sculpture Himmeli & Ceiling Crowns

But even more classes every week, for more information lead to Spirit of the Lake Community Art’s Website