Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is excited to invite the community to join in a COVID friendly community wide mystery art hunt, “Winona Grows”. Between April 17-May 1 oil pastel artwork created by Winona area artists of all ages will be on display in windows of area businesses and outside in public spaces. Not only will participants get to view beautiful Winona and spring themed artwork but they will also get to explore Winona and solve a mystery. Next to the artwork in each location clues will be given to a poem created by Winonan Miranda Harper.

Participating locations include The Winona Visitor’s Center, Winona Feed & Seed, Jovy Rockey Jewelry Shop, Levee Park, Green Thumb Artistry, Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA), and Winona County Historical Society Please explore the Map below or click here to open a PDF of the Map with clickable links to each location. The map includes a suggested order to stop at locations, however participants are welcome to devise their own path. Don't forget to share your journey on social media using #Winonagrows!

Have you Finished the Hunt?

Once you have visited each location and recorded the mystery word you can hand in a copy of the map or the words written out along with your name and email address to the Winona Visitor Center during their business hours or virtually by filling out this form by May 1 to be entered to win one of three unique MCA art kits.

MCA hopes that this family friendly activity gives community members something fun and safe to do during challenging times. This activity is possible thanks to all of the community partners with the support from a Walmart Community Grant. MCA is a non-profit community arts school that strives to make quality arts experiences accessible. If you enjoyed this experience and would like to help us continue to make experiences like this possible, please consider making a donation today.

Want to Learn how to Create with Oil Pastels?

Please visit the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts You Tube channel to enjoy art tutorials by MCA teaching artist, Lisa Douglas. While exploring these videos students will learn oil pastel techniques such as blending and shading as they use Winona Landmarks such as Sugar Loaf and the Winona Bridge as inspiration.

Need Oil Pastels?

Check out our awesome Oil Pastel and Everything Art Kits available for purchase on our visual art division page. 

Enter to Win an Art Kit

Full Winona Grows Poem

Click here to see an at-a-glance view of classes including class fee & instructors.

Register Now!

BEGINNING & AGE BASED DANCE CLASSES

Dance Adventures

Day/Dates: Mondays, May 17-June 14 (no class 5/31) Time: 5:45-6:45pm  Ages: 4-6  Instructor: Rachael Ryan Location: Outside Valencia Arts Center Fee: $32 (includes dancer prop kit)

Ballet I/IIA

Day/Dates: Thursdays, May 20-June 17 Time: 5:15-6:15pm Ages: 7+ Instructor: Rachael Ryan Location: Inside Valencia Arts Center  (Virtual option available upon request) Fee: $50

Contemporary Dance (ages 8-10)

Day/Dates: Tuesdays, May 18-June 15 Time: 5-5:45pm Ages: 8-10 Instructor: Courtney Harms Location: Inside Valencia Arts Center Fee: $45

Contemporary Dance (ages 11+)

Day/Dates: Tuesdays, May 18-June 15 Time: 6-7pm Ages: 11+ Instructor: Courtney Harms Location: Inside Valencia Arts Center Fee: $50

Teens Tappin’

Day/Dates: Mondays, May 17-June 21 (no class 5/31 or 6/14) Time: 4:30-5:30pm  Ages: 12-18* Instructor: Becca Braun Location: Inside Valencia Arts Center Fee: $40

LEVEL BASED DANCE CLASSES

(If you are new to MCA or if you have taken more than a year off of dance, please contact the MCA office at mca@smumn.edu for placement recommendations prior to registration)

Ballet IIB/III

Day/Dates: Thursdays, May 20-June 17 Time: 6:30-7:45pm Ages: NA Instructor: Rachael Ryan Location: Inside Valencia Arts Center (Virtual option available upon request) Fee: $63

Int./Adv. Contemporary

Day/Dates: Mondays, May 17-June 21 (no class 5/31 or 6/14) Time: 5:45-7pm Ages: NA  Instructor: Becca Braun Fee: $50

Ballet IV-VII 

Day/ Dates/Times: May 17-June 17 (no class 5/31) Mondays- 4-5:30pm, R. Ryan, Wednesdays- 5:15-7:15pm, T. Schmidt, Thursdays- 4-6pm, T. Schmidt Ages: NA Location: Inside Valencia Arts Center  (Virtual option may be available upon request) Fee: $247 (14 classes, 26 hours)

PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique)

Day/ Dates: Wednesdays, May 19-June 16 Time: 4-5pm  Ages: NA Instructor: Tammy Schmidt Location: Inside Valencia Arts Center Fee: $58 (dancers will be asked to bring a yoga mat and will be checked additional equipment for the session)

Pointe

Day/ Dates: Thursdays, May 20-June 17 Time: 6:15-7:15pm Ages: NA Instructor: Tammy Schmidt Location: Inside Valencia Arts Center Fee: $50

National Tap Dance Day Workshop- Tap II-V

Day/ Dates: Saturday, May 22 Time/Level: Tap II-III- 1-3:30pm & Tap IV-V: 2:15-5pm Ages: NA Instructors: Christine Martin & Carter Full Location: Inside Valencia Arts Center Fee: $22

The Thirty-Three Little Pigs

Dance Me a Story

Are you ready to step on stage? Then you will love this camp. During this one week experience you will work with classmates to tell a story using ballet, creative movement, and theatre. Participants will even have the opportunity to craft their own costumes and design scenery in preparations for an informal outdoor performance on the last day of camp for friends and family. Campers (and friends and family on the last day) will be required to follow MCA’s COVID Code of Conduct.

Day/ Dates: Monday-Friday, June 21-25

Time: 1-4pm

Ages: 6-9

Location: Outside Valencia Arts Center (moved inside if inclemete weather)

Fee: $109 (early bird) $129 (after May 1, 2021)*

* Campers will need to bring a towel or sit-upon, water bottle, and snack daily.

Junior Training Program for Dancers

Are you ready to dance your day away? Here is your chance! Each day dancers will warm up in a ballet class; build foot and ankle strength in pre-pointe; dabble in different theory classes such as dance history, composition (choreography), and theatre; and round out their dance experience with a “genre of the day” class, including jazz, modern, musical theatre, and hip hop. Each day will end with a rehearsal in preparation for a final showcase for up to two family members per dancer. Dress rehearsal and performance schedules, July 16-17 may vary from the above times, but will be communicated in advance.

No auditions are required, but it is recommended that dancers have at least three  years of training.

Due to COVID the capacity is only 10 dancers.

Day/ Dates: Monday-Friday, July 5-17

Time: 9am-4pm, M-F, Dress rehearsal and performance schedules, July 16-17 may vary from the above times, but will be communicated in advance.

Ages: 9-18 

Location: Inside Valencia Arts Center 

Fee: $429 before 5/15/21, $450 after 5/15/21(Fee includes over 60 hours of instruction. Students will need to bring a lunch and water bottle daily.)

Summer Dance Intensive

MCA’s 18th annual Summer Dance Intensive offers intermediate and advanced dancers ages 12-25 a wonderful well-rounded and personal experience. Due to COVID we are unable to offer boarding this year, however we do plan for in-person classes and virtual options for accepted dancers.  More details including fees and schedules will be released on May 1.

Day/ Dates: Monday-Friday, July 5-30, 2021 (option to attend 2 week or 4 weeks)

Ages: 12-25 (Virtual option may be available upon request)

Location: Inside Valencia Arts Center (Virtual option available upon request)

Fee: TBA on May 1

Mindful Moves and Artful Journaling

Kids will love this camp that infuses creative journaling, movement, yoga, and mindfulness. Campers will explore their senses as they create, listen to music, build their sensory awareness, while they enjoy the sunshine during this outdoor program. Parents will also breathe a little easier knowing that their kids are learning new tricks to regulate their emotions, build positive self-image and ways to explore with new art materials. Campers will be required to follow MCA’s COVID Code of Conduct.

Day/ Dates: Monday-Friday, Aug. 2-6

Time: 9am-12pm

Ages: 6-12 years (separated in groups)

Instructors: Megan Peterson & Brianna Haupt

Location: Outside Valencia Arts Center (moved inside if inclement weather)

Fee: $109 (early bird), $129 (after May 1, 2021)*

* Campers will need to bring a towel or yoga mat, waterbottle, and snack daily.

Tap Camp

Join us for an exciting week of rhythm!  TAP CAMP will include classes in tap technique, repertory, improvisation, body percussion, music theory, and concepts for the tap dancer, tap history, and tap in films. TAP CAMP will hold new challenges for beginning, intermediate, and advanced tappers. An informal demonstration for family and friends will be held on Friday. Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, come on dancers, it’s TAP CAMP time! Campers (and friends and family on the last day) will be required to follow MCA’s COVID Code of Conduct.

Dates: August 9-13,  M-F

Time & Ages: Tap for Kids and Tap I: 10-Noon p.m. (ages 6+, no experience- two years experience)

Tap II-V: 9-12 p.m. (Intermediate & advanced Tap Dancers

ages 11+ or MCA Tap levels II-V. Tappers will participate in a

placement class on day one.)

Fee: Tap for Kids and Tap I: $85 (Early Bird Special), $99 (after May 1)

Tap II-V: $135 (Early Bird Special) $149 (after May 1)

*Dancers should bring a water bottle and snack each day.

We are excited to announce that we have shifted to offering private music lessons online and we are now accepting online registration for new students for most instruments. Now is the time to finally spend a little time with that piano that's been sadly sitting quietly in the corner or guitar that has been collecting dust in your basement! 

As with in-person lessons you may purchase lessons in a 4, 8, or 12 lesson package (ranging from $17-$19 per 30 minute lesson). We will be happy to shift lessons to in-person lessons once we can safely do so. No fees are paid until we connect you with an instructor. Learn more about MCA private lessons and instructors.

What you need need at your house to have a successful online lesson:

• your instrument
• a device with a camera and microphone (internal microphone should be fine unless you need to be far away from your device to be at your instrument.
• optional: headphones or external speaker  
• a wired connection (most reliable) or a strong wireless signal (around 1.5 Mbps for upload speed).  A 4G connection traditionally works as well.

Register Now!  

*In-person private lesson instruction will start to return slowly beginning May 2021. All students and instructors will be required to follow the MCA COVID Code of Conduct.

Learn More about Creative Aging

Colored Pencil Techniques

Did you know that there are a multitude of special techniques that can be applied using colored pencils? Creating highlights, shading, blending, shapes, and more. Each week will explore a new topic, techniques and artist(s). Participants who are interested will be invited to exchange postcards with classmates featuring their artwork.

Suggested class supplies: set of colored pencils (24 colors or more is ideal), sketch book, pencil (an ebony pencil is ideal), eraser, black felt-tip or fine liner pen, & straight edge (such as a 12 in. ruler). Optional extra supplies: colorless bending  pencil, blending stump (tortillon), & gel pens. For postcard mailing: you will need card stock, recycled materials or premade postcards, (3"x5" or 4"x6") and postcard stamps which are .36 per stamp.

Doodle Club (Ages 13+)

Wednesdays 7:30 PM

Dates: Jan.6- April 28

Instructor: Lisa Douglas

Fees: Free (students will need a pen (preferably a thin felt tip pen or marker), pencil, eraser, paper, and a round object for tracing such as a canning lid or tuna can.)

Intergenerational Playful Postcards (Ages 55+)

Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is excited to offer “Intergenerational Playful Postcards”- a class aimed to bring together older adults and Girl Scouts in the Winona Area. Registration for adults (ages 55+) is now open. Registration for Girl Scouts opens on May 1. Get creative and have a little fun sending and receiving colorful postcards! Color with glittery gel pens, collage with washi tape and more using a postcard to be sent to a local Girl Scout or adult as a canvas. Students will receive a kit of materials including everything needed- all you will be asked to do is explore new art techniques, then create and send a postcard a week.

Adults (55+): $12 (includes kit)

Girl Scouts: $5 (includes kit & fun patch)

Dates: May 30-June 29

• Adults will receive weekly emails with lesson and prompt.
• Girl Scouts will meet weekly on zoom from 9-9:30am on Saturdays June 5, 12, 19 and 26.
• A zoom social will be held for all participants on June 29 at 6:30pm to meet and share experiences.

Kits Include: 6 postcards, 4 stamps, 2 fineliner pens, 2 gel pens, 2 rolls of washi tape, a stencil, and instruction booklet.

Instructors: Brianna Haupt (adults), Catie Deysach (Girl Scouts)

*This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund, Aroha Philanthropies, and the Elizabeth Callender King Foundation.

Other opportunities to work with MCA through our amazing partners: (registration for these programs is handled by the partner and may require you to be a member of a specific group or live in a specific area, please click on the opportunity to learn more about the programs and our partners.

Caledonia Public Library- Art programs for all ages (ongoing)- Learn more about art programs at with Caledonia Public Library.

Elder Network- Exploring Oil Pastels (monthly on second Tuesdays, Feb. 9- May 11, 1:30-2:30)- Learn more about our oil pastel class in partnership with Elder Network.

Saint Mary's University Alumni (ongoing art programs)- Learn more about upcoming art SMUMN Alumni and Family Art classes.

Don't miss viewing these special premiere's in real time on both our MCA  Facebook Page or You Tube Channel.

April 17, 6pm: MCA Virtual Musical Division Concert

Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is thrilled to be partnering once again with Elder Network to offer an art workshop suitable for all family members, care givers, and care receivers to spend an hour together in their home creatively. The class will be exploring oil pastels and will be interactive and run live through ZOOM. No art experience with oil pastels is needed, however for those that participated in Elder Network and MCA's Intentional Doodle series will find this class a perfect next step in their artistic journey. Below are the class details.

Exploring Oil Pastels: Techniques, tips, and creativity

Join your friends at Elder Network and MCA as we create one-of-a-kind artwork using oil pastels. Learn how to play with color, blending, and design, along with tips and tools to begin or continue your journey with oil pastels. All registrants will be supplied with an art kit that includes everything needed to create during and a bit between sessions. No art experience necessary, just come ready to learn and share a little creative time with others.

Dates: Second Tuesday of the Month, Feb.9, March 9, April 13, & May 11

Time: 1:30-2:30pm

Where: Online via ZOOM

Instructor: Lisa Douglas of Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts

Fee:  $25*, includes oil pastel art kit (12 oil pastels, 8 pieces of art paper, ebony drawing pencil, white paint pen, and roll of masking tape inside a pencil pouch) Kits can be shipped anywhere in the US for an extra $12.

*Art kit is valued at $19 and discounted participation fee is thanks to Elder Net

To Register: Please RSVP to Barb at Elder Network, 507-452-0580 or barbp@elder-network.org.

About Elder Network: 

Elder Network was founded in 1988 in Rochester Minnesota. Their mission is “Individuals impacted by the limiting effects of aging have an optimal quality of life.” As a are a local 501c3 nonprofit, they serve primarily three counties in Southeast Minnesota; Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona. However, their educational offerings and support groups are open to anyone that would like to attend. Elder Network has developed seven non-medical programs that support seniors and their caregivers. We are a well-respected organization providing non-medical elder care which isn’t provided by other organizations doing similar services. They are proud that to network with other organizations so that we are able to support seniors and their caregivers through service or referral. Elder Network's outreach extends to all regardless of elder traditions, cultures or religions. These programs include Senior Advocacy, Education & Support, Companion Services, Respite Care In-Home, Peer Support, Friendly Visitors, and Transportation.

Arts programs in collaboration with the Caledonia Public Library

Arts Opportunities for All Houston County Residents 

The Caledonia Public Library and Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, are excited to announce a a variety of virtual and self-paced programming for both youth and adults. Programs will include virtual storytimes, valentine creation, Doodle & Relax sessions and Unsolved Art Adventures. These programs have been created to encourage creativity, inspire learning, and foster community. All of these events are FREE to all. Accompanying kits are available to Houston County residents through the Caledonia Public Library.  For more information visit the Caledonia Public Library Facebook Page or Caledonia Public Library YouTube Page.

We realize that the world has turned upside down over the past few months and that many more families will be homeschooling or virtual schooling during 2020. As always we will be here to help provide arts education to the community, including daytime options for homeschoolers. Thank you to everyone who filled out our online surveys in August. We hope that you are excited about the daytime, self-paced and evening offerings that we are offering this Fall that can help you meet your learning at home needs. On August 22 we hosted a Homeschool Q & A session via Zoom, please click here to view the recording. If you have ideas for desired programs please feel free to email them to: mca@smumn.edu.

MCA Winter 2021 Programs before 3pm:

Click Here to View Full Descriptions 

Beginning Hip Hop- Virtual Dance Class. Jan. 26-April 20: Tuesdays- 2:15-3 PM (ages 6+)

Private Music Lessons- Virtual (anytime) or in-person (after Sept. 21)- Arranged at a time convenient for student & instructor (all ages)

Self-Paced Art Kits- Explore MCA's 4 unique Art Kits. Mystery Art Kit & Hours of Art Kit & On-Demand Classes- all kits available while supplies last.

On-Demand Tap Units- These pre-recorded tap classes for Beginning (MCA Tap 4 Kids & Tap I Level) Intermediate (MCA Tap II Level) and Advanced (MCA Tap Levels III-V) provide challenging and fun warm-ups, technique instruction and combinations that can be executed at home. MCA has tap shoes and tap boards that can be checked out to local students as well as tap boards that can be purchased.

We have created two playlist to help you and your family get through COVID-19 and even come out stronger and smarter.

MCA Moments- are music, theatre, dance, and visual arts activities that will fill your creative tool box full of arts tips, tricks, and boredom busters.

Dancers Stay Strong- Since you can't get to the studio, we are bringing dance to you... here we are sharing dance combinations, movement games and conditioning exercises to help you burn off energy stay strong and learn.

This group is for current (within 1 year) MCA students and their families. During the COVID-19 outbreak we plan to use this group to help us share and create together and inspire each other on a daily basis. 

Request to Join