Meet The Makers
Ely Folk School: Enriching Local Knowledge through Community Classes
The Ely Folk school works with over 80 individual artists, 75% of whom have homes in Ely, to put on educational programming in fiber arts, folk arts, music, metalworking, humanities, and Northwoods skills and crafting, along with youth classes. The creativity, passion, and knowledge of the Ely community has allowed the Folk School to grow and thrive.
Fantasy Blades and Northwoods Jewelry: Crafting Worlds out of Metal in Ely
It was a coincidence that Shawn and Cindy both fell in love with metalworking, but they’ve found ways to collaborate on their individual art forms. Often, they share a booth at festivals called “Blades and Beguiling Jewelry” and support each other while creating at home.
Northern Lakes Arts Association: Finding Community Resilience Through Art
Ely’s artistic nature has roots in early immigrant communities working in the mines. The arts were a way for the community to gather together and weather difficult times. Says Ian: “We did not have a lot. The moments that we were together were filled with song and dance.”
Best in Show: First-Generation Family Farm Rustic Roots is MN Garlic Festival Winner
The Olberdings bought a neglected piece of farmland in Alexandria. Removing the decaying farm equipment and taking care of the land itself allowed them to establish their award-winning garlic crop.
