Classes
Minnesota Center for Book Arts
Workshop Dates/Times: Tuesday–Friday, June 23, 24, 25, 26; 10am–4pm
Cost: $588 plus $65 materials fee
Scholarships are available for individuals facing adversity as it relates to identity, income/wealth, and lack of access to arts resources. MCBA members receive a 10% discount on tuition.
Workshop Description: Join Amanda Degener and Rachel Payne in an immersive, in-person workshop featuring surface treatment on flax paper and sturdy paper bindings. First, Amanda will introduce natural dyeing and surface treatments on flax paper, including indigo, walnut, and persimmon dyes. These dyed papers are special because of the crackling, layering, and combined effects resulting in dark, durable papers. Then, Rachel will offer guided, step-by-step instruction to create two bindings featuring the treated papers: a paper case and an album. Instructors will share recipes and step-by-step instructions for surface treatment processes—there are no trade secrets—and participants are encouraged to use the album they make in the workshop to showcase their papers for future reference. This workshop is ideal for anyone who appreciates paper bindings and strong, dark paper. Paper will be 11 x 17 inches in order to fit in a suitcase or flat mailer.
Participants are asked to share accessibility needs when they register for workshops. If anything is shared in this flied, MCBA’s workshop coordinator will reach out to you to discuss how to best support you.
To register: https://mnbookarts.org/events/papermaking-intensive-surface-treatment-study-june-2026
The Montana Institute for Book Arts
Amanda’s Natural Dying on Flax Paper is session 2
August 10-14 at Flathead Lake
Cost:$1500 for session 2 only (lodging and meals included)
Workshops Descriptions: The two sessions are split between a historic research station on Flathead Lake and the University of Montana’s campus in Missoula. Students will be able to choose from a range of courses, including bookbinding, papermaking, letter carving, and a printing workshop on a 1936 Hacker Test Press.
Session 1 University of Montana in Missoula
Price $1200 for session 1 only (lodging not included)
August 3rd - August 7th, 2026
University of Montana in Missoula
Master Printing Workshop with Harry Reese and Jonathan Gerken
Wood Engraving with Richard Wagener
Introduction to Bookbinding with Brenda Gallagher
Lecture on Rare Books from Stephanie Stillo, Library of Congress
Book Arts Exhibition at Montana Museum of Art and Culture
Session 2-Flathead Lake
August 10th - August 14th, 2026
Natural Dying on Flax Paper with Amanda Degener
Letter Carving in Stone with Christopher Stinehour
Innovative Book Structures with Emily Martin
Lecture from Richard Wagener on naturalist depiction in books
Lecture from Peter Koch and Debra Earling on art and collaboration
Cost: $2500 if you attend both sessions. 1 scholarship available
For more information: https://www.umt.edu/um-press/miba/ (scroll down)
*Note, there will be a maximum of ten students per workshop.*
Tai Chi
Here are some options for in person Tai Chi this spring/summer. We also play at Boom Island Park Sundays starting May 31st 10:30-12. There are classes spring and summer at Northeast Middle School and a summer class at Yoga Garden.
Northeast Middle School-Spring
Through Mpls Public Schools Community Education I teach for 7 weeks on Wednesday nights.
The Level One class is from 7:10-8:10 in the gym.
https://minneapolis.arux.app/course/64711/adult-enrichment-spring-2026/tai-chi-qigong-1-northeast
Dates: April 8, 2026-May 27,2026
Level Two in the cafeteria 6:00-7:00. Community Ed URL
https://minneapolis.arux.app/course/64709/adult-enrichment-spring-2026/tai-chi-long-form-northeast
Location: Northeast Middle School 2955 Hayes St NE//Minneapolis MN 55418
Cost: $5.00 per class (this is waved for people who ask)
Registration: Use the URL’s above. If you have not taken a community education class before it might be neces- sary to set up an account first.
Northeast Middle School-Summer
You can sign up for spring and summer at the same time but summer dates are:
June 25-August 6 will be THURSDAY nights. 7 weeks Summer registration:
Level Two in the cafeteria or outside 6:00-7:00. Community Ed URL:
https://minneapolis.ce.eleyo.com/ course/64678/adult-enrichment-summer-2026/tai-chi-long-form-summer#ae-48011-su26-ne
The Level One class is from 7:10-8:10 in the gym or outside. Community Ed URL:
https://minneapolis.ce.eleyo.com/course/64680/adult-enrichment-summer-2026/tai-chi-qigong-1-summer#ae-48003-su26-ne
Yoga Garden
There will be a Wednesday night class beginning June 3rd. It’s a very nice space and we have flexibility about end dates. Each class will cost more but you only pay for the ones you attend. So for people who want more flexibility, a nicer space, and who want to continue your practice when Northeast Middle School is not in ses- sion Yoga Garden is an option.
Starts: Wednesday June 3, 2026 (no end date)
Times: Tai Chi Two 6-7, Tai Chi One 7:10-8:10
Location: Yoga Garden Northrup King building 1450 Van Buren St NE #314. (Easy street parking) Enter under green awning, up the stairs, take a right.
Registration: At the bottom of the home page there is a green button which says purchase.
https://www.yogagardenmpls.com/
Cost: Punch card system. You buy a card from Yoga Garden and each time you attend your card is punched. $20 / drop in, $70 / 5 class pass,$130 / 10 class pass $99 / monthly unlimited
Tai Chi 2 Play Session
Every Sunday while the weather is warm 2026 10:30-12:00 May 31-September 6, 2026
Location In person at Boom Island Park near the river (see right photo). Street parking at 8th Ave and Plymouth or you can pay to park. If you put in 724 Sibley St NE,55413 to your GPS you can get there.
Cost: Free.
Registration: None, just show up
This is not a class but a gathering, sometimes I refer to this as my “office hours”
Other Opportunities
My colleague Andrew Ensign who worked extensively with Dr. He and Cary Hakam offers private lessons and a Friday evening 6:00-7:00 Long Form Class where he lives in South Minneapolis. You can contact him directly at mousiee@gmail.com.
Description
Tai Chi is a simple traditional Chinese practice that uses inner strength or “Qi” to feel better. Learn the “form”, which is a continuous sequence of postures practiced in a slow, gentle manner, to improve blood circulation, balance, and your overall health. Tai chi is like swimming in air and acts similar to meditation, but the first step is to learn the form. Instruction is designed for people of all ages and all physical abilities. This martial art is a healing practice knowing it is fantastic for holistic mental and physical well-being.
Bio for Amanda Degener
In my other life I am an accomplished artist and hand papermaker often teaching, lecturing, and exhibiting my work. During my multiple trips to Asia I have learned ,and continue to learn, about traditional Asian cultures es- pecially Chinese Medicine and Tai Chi. I taught tai chi at Natural Step School for about 5 years and then studied with Dr. He and her proteges at the American Academy of Oriental Medicine in Roseville. I support my classes with videos and handouts and have over 25 years of teaching experience. I have been playing tai chi for about 15 years and teaching for 9. Tai Chi connects me to a deeper purpose as a being in the world. It powerfully brings me to myself in ways that are part of my spiritual understanding.