Instructors All - Marine Mills Folk School

Miriam Khanan

Miriam Khanan began dipping their own beeswax Shabbat candles in 2019 after noticing that most Jewish candles are machine-made from paraffin wax, a petroleum product. Today, they make thousands of Chanukah, Shabbat, and non-denominational candles each year. A novice beekeeper, Miriam also sources wax from the St. Croix River Valley. Miriam loves sharing the meditative…

Molly Sanford

Molly Sanford advocates for reuse and repair by spreading hands-on skills like sewing, welding, woodworking, and general troubleshooting. Molly believes that extending the lifespan of our belongings can be a joyful way to combat consumerism and climate change. She has taught a variety of hands-on classes at Fireweed Community Workshop (formerly Women’s Woodshop), Leonardo’s Basement, and the University…

Natalie Norman

Natalie Norman has been part of the cultural needlework community for over 20 years, participating as a vendor, demonstrator, and teacher at venues such as ASI, Gammelgarden, and Marine Mills Folk School. Sponsored by the Swedish Embassy in Washington, DC, her embroidered work was featured in a traveling exhibition that visited five major American cities…

Pam Heaton

Pam has been teaching as a certified clogging instructor, locally, for 25 years! “It is my passion and I love sharing this traditional American dance with anyone willing to give it a try. I love that it is an activity that all ages can participate in together. It is great fun and great exercise, mentally…

Peg Medcraft

Meet Peg Medcraft, a devoted art educator and passionate creator. With ‘CRAFT’ in her surname, her creative path was destined. Affectionately known at school and in the community as “Crafty,” Peg has inspired over 2,000 learners during her 35-year teaching journey, nurturing a love for art and ceramics.

Peta Barrett

In the early ’90s a friend took me on my first true Boundary Waters canoe camping trip – a group of women. The camaraderie, the laughter, the solitude for reflection, the joyful teamwork as we gently paddled and portaged the wilderness…I WAS HOOKED! I’ve now racked up some 25+ years of wilderness trail experience, leading…

Petra Guenthner-Johnson

Petra Guenthner Johnson is a fiber artist who lives and works near the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls, Wisconsin. She studied art at the University of Wisconsin–Superior from 1998 to 2001 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Visual Arts from North Dakota State University in 2003. Petra believes that art has the transformative power…

Phil Moody

Phil discovered spoon carving about 5 years ago, just in time for a global pandemic. While not forgetting about spoons his focus has shifted after seeing some pictures of Scandanavian knutkorg baskets. Drawn to crafts that are challenging yet easily accessible (few tools and easily scavenged materials) the knutkorg basket fits these strict requirements. Like many crafters, Phil has…

Pieper Fleck Bloomquist

Pieper Fleck Bloomquist is a contemporary folk artist with nearly 30 years’ experience painting in the traditions of Swedish dalmålning and bonadsmålning. Using either modern acrylics or the traditional materials of linen/jute, traditional gesso, and egg tempera, she creates painted tapestries with scenes that narrate modern human stories – drawing inspiration from family traditions, her…

Rachel Payne

Rachel Payne of Saga Bookbinding is a bench trained bookbinder. She returned home to be a studio bookbinder in the Twin Cities, MN. She makes and repairs books and boxes. Rachel loves do-it-yourself projects, figuring out puzzles, organizing, and being in the classroom.

Randy Gildersleeve

Randy Gildersleeve has decades of experience playing, teaching, and recording music in many genres. He currently performs with North Shore Trail (bluegrass/acoustic), Saints of Swing (big band jazz), St. Croix Crossings (classic rock), and the Hosanna Lutheran Forest Lake worship band. As a teacher, Randy gives private lessons in guitar, bass, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, and…

Rick Yonker

Rick is currently a science and technology specialist for Farmington Schools, in Farmington, MN. He has been tinkering with wood for most of his life and has been building bows since 1996. He is an instructor at North House Folk School in Grand Marais, MN and has taught traditional bow making there since 2003. Rick…

Riley Kleve

Riley Kleve is a nonbinary textile artist and educator creating interactive, collaborative work in community-led settings. Their practice in weaving, handspinning, and embroidery draws from history to imagine a queerer future for textiles. They have taught fiber classes of all sizes, from biweekly library gatherings to large dusk-to-dawn community arts festivals. Riley is a 2025…

Robin Garwood

Robin Garwood is a book and installation artist based in Saint Paul, MN. He was the September 2022 Pine Needles Artist in Residence in Marine on Saint Croix. His work has been shown at Art Shanty Projects, Northern Spark, Mary Jo Van Dell Gallery, the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and the Sogn Valley Art…

Rosie Peters

Rosetta “Rosie” Peters is a poet, author, public speaker, storyteller, and activist. She is of Yankton, Crow Creek, and Oglala descent and is excited to be a part of the revitalization of her ancestral language, Dakota. Rosie is the recipient of a 2020 Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Support for Individuals grant and a 2021…

Ross Safford

Ross Safford is a master baker. He has worked largely with at-risk youth and families, getting food to those in need. He currently works with at-risk youth in schools. He is a huge Boston Red Sox fan and loves to sing. At MMFS, you can often find him teaching with Bryce Johnson, another community-focused baker.

Sara Wait

Sara Wait is the founder of Slow Burn, a boutique beeswax candle company based in St. Paul, MN. With a background in mindfulness and sustainable practices, Sara creates handcrafted, locally sourced candles designed to inspire intentional living and a connection to nature. Her workshops invite participants to slow down, learn a timeless craft, and enjoy…

Sarah Bober

Sarah Bober graduated from St. Olaf College with a major in Fine Arts. She works in several mediums and specializes in Art Clay, a clay form of silver that she has been working with since 2007. Sarah teaches a variety of techniques, including metal clay, kumihimo, paper quilling, and metal-stamped jewelry.

Sharon Knutson

“I have crafted most of my life. I started embroidering fish on burlap at my grandma’s house when I was little. I’ve dabbled in many things along the way, embroidery, crewel, needlepoint, cross stitch, and quilting among others. Knitting and spinning have been my primary focus for many years now. There is something about spinning fiber into yarn and…

Stephanie Gard Buss

Stephanie Gard Buss is a mixed-media artist living and working in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. She loves working with both natural and vintage items and creating assemblage is her passion.