Building community by providing learning experiences that celebrate the wilderness heritage, art, history, culture, and craft of the people of northern Minnesota.
Written by Sarah Vogl and originally published in the Ely, MN Arts & Craft Journal, Issue One . On a summer evening just outside of Ely, the sound of fiddles and the rhythm of stomping feet rise from a crowded barn. Children chase farm puppies, elders trade smiles as they twirl, and strangers link hands like longtime friends. Events like this - Ely Folk Schoolโs barn dance at Ethelโs Acres - may be rooted in old-fashioned tradition, but they remain as alive and vital as eve
Itโs 2025 - we know you know the benefits of shopping locally. But do you recognize how expansive your options are? Far from limited, buying locally can highlight a wide range of resources, tools, and events right here in Ely! Take a look at our Ely Folk School Holiday Gift Guide and find something for almost everyone on your list! By purchasing gifts from the Ely Folk School this season, youโre supporting an Ely non-profit, the 27 consignment artists in our Mercantile, and t
By Sue Remes In the summer of 2019 my husband, a serial hobbyist, was packing his binoculars and preparing to head off to a nature reserve to do some birdwatching. โI need a hobbyโ I said to him as I watched him stuff a field guide into his backpack and walk out the door. Later that evening when my husband asked what I had in mind for a hobby, I realized I had no idea. I love to exercise, but I consider this a necessity. I love to read, which takes care of my mind. I love to
