Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts

About

What We Do Magic. Joy. Heaven on earth. These words and others like them have been used to describe the experience of learning, staying, and celebrating at Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, Mineral Point’s nationally known 501(c)3 nonprofit school of arts and crafts. WORKSHOPS at Shake Rag Alley are informative, fun, and led by working artists and craftspersons from across the country and across the street. From March to November, we offer scores of workshops, ranging from half-day project-oriented workshops to week-long immersive workshops for all skill levels. RETREATS of several days allow students to experience several workshops in a category, whether it’s rustic arts and nature crafts, jewelry, creative writing, or mixed media. During our SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM, K-12 artists complete projects across a wide-array of categories. Beloved Youth Program features include craft camp culminating in participation in the Mineral Point Fourth of July Parade, the Free Arts Camp (supported by community partners), and new offerings to explore with teacher-artists in a variety of media. LODGING is available on-campus in the historic Coach House and at The Sardeson, two blocks away on Commerce Street, in the third addition to the 1868 Globe Hotel. Workshop participants are eligible for discounts on Shake Rag Alley lodging. SITE RENTAL makes it possible for you to utilize the Shake Rag Alley campus and buildings for meetings, private events, special occasions and ceremonies, or work with staff to organize a private arts retreat led by one of our instructors. Site rentals can be tailored to suit your group’s size and interests, and convenient on-site lodging makes Shake Rag Alley the perfect venue for creative brainstorming retreats or family/friend get-aways. Be sure to check out our site rental gallery. EVENTS at Shake Rag Alley are a great way to connect with others from the community and explore our beautiful campus and unique buildings throughout the year. Annual events include family-friendly activities like the Tour of Fairy Homes and Santa Day, where visitors of all ages may participate in themed crafting opportunities, and our annual free Trick ‘r Treat event following the Mineral Point Halloween Parade. Monthly Makers & Shakers Art Parties provide opportunities for creative camaraderie March-November. Watch our Events page for our eclectic garage sales, Showcase Nights, Fiber Faire, and other ways to engage with and support Shake Rag Alley throughout the year. LITERARY EVENTS include our Winter Writers Reading Series, welcoming award-winning Wisconsin authors to week-long residencies and Wednesday evening readings from January through March, the monthly Driftless Poets workshops, annual Writing Retreat, and Alley Stage Reading Series.

Our office is open 9 am-5 pm Monday-Friday and 8 am-4 pm weekends when workshops are in session April-October. Beginning in November through March, our office is open 9 am-2 pm Monday-Friday.

Established on October 14, 2004, when local artists and community members led by founding board members Jim Kackley, Sandra Scott, and Judy Sutcliffe purchased the property and launched a nonprofit arts education center. The spring is still bubbling, and today Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts occupies nine buildings in the 2.5-acre oasis of gardens, trees, and rambling paths.