Loppet Outdoor Art

Join MCAD artists Maz Her and Makayla Smith for a collage class: an art technique of creating a new piece of art using different forms and media. We will use hiking and collage to observe and collect pieces of nature, take patterns and lessons from nature, and utilize different methods of the art of collage.

Program Details:

• Dates: Mondays, April 7-28, 5:45-7:45 pm
• Location: Trailhead at Theodore Wirth Park
• Cost: $120 + $10 materials fee

Using hikes for inspiration, Megan Murrell will show us her favorite method of using negative space to inform the overall composition. This class is beginner friendly and will look at introductory watercolor techniques as well. Plan to hike, learn something new, and take the time to do some painting and reflect with others.

Program Details:

• Dates: Thursdays, April 24 – May 29, 6-8 pm
• Location: Wirth Beach
• Cost: $180

Join instructors from the Urban Birding Collective with a new lens (pun intended) through spaces in Wirth Park. Learn tips and tricks in bird photography to capture these delightful creatures in undoubtedly one of the most exciting times of year for bird sightings. This is an introductory class.

Program Details:

• Dates: May 6, 20, and 27, 6-8 pm
• Location: Wirth Beach
• Cost: $90

Join the Loppet Foundation and Garden Naturalists from the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden this June for a four class program series integrating creativity, movement and nature at Theodore Wirth Park. Inspired by the early Summer and flourishing in the natural world, we’ll explore readings of nature writers, play with new forms of content, and experiment with various styles of poetry via prompts and exercises. This is an inclusive, generative class, and will be complemented with naturalists who can share their knowledge of what is happening in nature during the time together as well.

Program Details:

• Dates/Times: Sundays, June 1, 8, 22, 29, 3-5 pm
• Location: Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
• Cost: $120

Registration opens March 3, 2025 at 9:00a

Register Now!

Fill out this instructor interest form.

Physical expectations: Participants will be asked to hike 1-2 miles around uneven and hilly terrain. If anyone would like to participate in the class but have physical limitations, please contact rykken@loppet.org to make arrangements as best as we can.

Weather Protocols

Scholarships: If finances are a barrier, please reach out to rykken@loppet.org to discuss. We’d love for you to join us!

Natural Makers

Based in Theodore Wirth Park, this hands-on, outdoor class will explore how to make practical items out of natural materials, using a variety of skills and tools. We’ll learn to carve wood, make natural cordage, sew, tie knots and lashings, build fires and more. Projects include making A-frame packs, cooking over a fire, and burning wooden bowls. Emphasis is on safety, creativity, problem-solving, community and fun! This gently-paced class welcomes makers of all skill levels, and is intended for intergenerational partners: children and their parents,  grandparents or other special adults.

Handcrafts in the Woods

Based in Theodore Wirth Park, this hands-on class will combine nature exploration and green wood carving, a traditional Scandinavian handcraft. Emphasizing sustainability, you’ll gain skills to transform a common local material from its raw form into items of your choice such as butter spreaders, magic wands, game pieces, beads and more. This gently-paced class welcomes makers of all skill levels, and is intended for intergenerational partners: children and their parents or grandparents or special adults. 

Come learn the basics of green wood carving in an outdoor environment. You’ll learn about carving knives and grips, wood species and carving safety. Above all, we’ll have fun together and go home with the confidence to keep carving at home.

This three-session series is designed for kids ages 8-14 and an accompanying grown-up. One adult per child registrant. 

Hike & Print

Join the Loppet this March in a new three-class program integrating nature, movement and print-making at Theodore Wirth Park. Starting with a hike, this class will center ourselves in nature and our bodies, followed by indoor background and instruction in the art of print-making.  We will be using carving blocks, and all materials will be included in the program. Beginners welcome! It will inspire and refresh you artistically and personally!

Betsy Hsiao is a printmaker inspired by the prairie, the wetlands, the lakes and the woods. She loves the challenge of putting the beauty that surrounds her in Minnesota into a woodcut.

Hike & Write

Join the Loppet this November in a four class program series integrating creativity, movement and nature at Theodore Wirth Park. Inspired by the deep autumn, we’ll explore readings of nature writers, keep nature journals and experiment with creative writing via prompts and exercises.

Hike & Watercolor

Join the Loppet this Fall in a new three-class pilot program series integrating creativity, art, movement and nature at Theodore Wirth Park. Starting and finishing with a hike, this class will take place outdoors in a special pocket of the park, with a lesson from a lead artist, time designated for painting, a regrouping for snacks and sharing, with the intention of building connection to the outdoors, ourselves and each other. It will inspire and refresh you artistically and personally!

Embroidery in Nature

Join this playful and generative class by immersing yourself in the natural world, learning various embroidery techniques, and crafting together multiple projects into a final product that can remind you of the park you were inspired by. 

““Most things I’ve done in my life are because of my love of stories and storytelling. I have found a few threads of string that can tell many stories!” – Shalee Dunaski Palmquist

Poetry in the Garden

Join the Loppet Foundation and Garden Naturalists from the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden this September for a four class program series integrating creativity, movement and nature at Theodore Wirth Park. Inspired by the approaching autumn and changes in the natural world, we’ll explore readings of nature writers, play with new forms of content, and experiment with various styles of poetry via prompts and exercises. This is an inclusive, generative class, and will be complemented with two naturalists who can share their knowledge of what is happening in nature during the time together as well.

Nature Journaling

Join Heather Cummins and a Garden Naturalist for an introduction to the art of nature journaling at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary. Come alone or with a group, and take the opportunity to pause, connect with nature, build a sense of place, and set off on a journey of discovery. We’ll explore observations in the different areas of the garden: woodland, wetland, and meadow. Take time for creating and reflecting back together in a positive, supportive, generative environment.

“To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.” – Mary Oliver

Nature journaling is the regular recording of observations, perceptions, and feelings about the natural world. This can be done through writing, drawing or painting, photography, and more. All you need to get started is some paper and a pencil or pen. Basic materials provided.

The Loppet will issue a full refund of the program fee minus the original processing fee up until 4 weeks before the program starts.  Between 4 and 3 weeks from the program start date, a 50% refund will be issued. There are no refunds for any cancellations within less than 3 weeks of the start of a program.