Living through the seasons at the Ely Folk School

As the leaves are changing color around us, learn about transferring one-of-a-kind pigments from the world around us on to fabric! Join Joan this Saturday, October 17th for her Nature's Colors: Dyeing with Extracts & Flowers class!

I have a confession, I never thought I’d still be here in Ely. I first arrived in 2016 to be a summer intern at the Voyageur Outward Bound School thinking it would be a fun, temporary adventure.  I was immediately thrown into the beauty and challenge of expeditioning through the Boundary Waters (while portaging those 70-lb aluminum grumman boats). I felt as much in awe at the beauty as I did to the uncomfortability of it being such a different landscape than I grew up in. I’m originally from Prescott, Arizona and have always identified as a “desert girl,” and I’ll admit that it’s been an adjustment to embrace this Northwoods living. Working an outdoors-based job, it was easy to reduce this place to “buggy summers and long, dark winters,” However, as the years passed, I became more intrigued by the town of Ely and what it would mean to stay. 

Now that I’m a few years into year-round living here, I’m continually learning that Ely is such an incredible place because of the people. It is my relationships that have drawn me to stay. There is a dynamic combination of resiliency through individual grit and tight-knit social networks. An awareness that both are needed to not only survive the tough seasons, such as the fires this summer, and thrive throughout, such as finding ways to embrace the long winters (whatever your relationship to that is).  

When I became involved with the Ely Folk School, first as a student and now as a staff member, I always heard stories of how impactful EFS has been in helping connect people, whether they're new to town or simply looking to expand their circle. I’ve been reflecting on community care and support systems a lot in my personal life recently, and have been experiencing this same gratitude for being a part of the EFS community. And now, even though I’ve been around Ely for a decade, it’s largely through my time with EFS that I feel a sense of belonging to being here in this place, beyond it simply being an entry point to exploring the Boundary Waters. 

Photo of one of our Maker's Mornings, a weekly community event that is a favorite morning to be at EFS.

As a staff, we always joke that the hardest thing about working at EFS is that we help support all the cool programming but rarely get to take the classes ourselves! During this fall season, I’m looking into hopefully taking a class or two of my own, chatting with everyone about their current projects at our weekly Maker’s Mornings, joining in the fun during our community events, and intentionally leaning into my social networks during this transitional, autumn season. I invite you to join me!

Rachael

Rachael, Anna, Lucy & Brett at last year's Thanksgiving Potluck

P.S. With the seasons changing, it's a good time to create a routine with your creative practice. Multi-session programs provide both the opportunity to dive a little deeper into both the subject matter and relationships with your fellow students and instructor(s). 

Watercolor as a Pathway Through Grief (3 session class) with Abby Dare

Sisters of the Earth Nature Writing for Women (Online, 3 Session Class) with DyAnne Korda

Introduction to Nalbinding: Start Your Own Wool Hat (2 Session Class) with Kaitlin Ostlie

Sew a Sámi Style Leather Bag or Pouch (2 Session Class) with Kaitlin Ostlie

Mindful Writing: Journaling for Writers (2 Session Class) with DyAnne Korda

Sashiko - Japanese Embroidery (3 Session Class) with Akiko Ostlund

Beginner Rosemaling Ornaments (2 Session Class) with Kim Garrett

Spirals of Memory: Writing Your Life Stories (2 Session Class) with DyAnne Korda

Craft Your Own Wooden Canoe Paddle (3 Session Class) with Amos Kolodji & Ryan Stewart