Upcoming Events
Gallery Exhibit | The Language of Fire: From Precision to Unpredictability
The Language of Fire: From Precision to Unpredictability showcases the work of ceramic artist Robin Foster, a recognized artist whose practice explores the varied, material language of clay shaped through a spectrum of firing processes. Moving between carefully controlled kiln-fired works and pieces marked by the more unpredictable effects of pit firing and Raku, Foster reveals a rich constellation of surface, color, and texture—at times deliberate, at times yielded to chance. Often working with locally sourced clay drawn from northern Minnesota, his work remains quietly grounded in the landscape from which it emerges. Each piece holds a moment of transformation, where material, heat, and circumstance converge, inviting close looking and a sensory engagement with the balance between intention and outcome.
Free Young Artist Studio: Flextangle Fun
Flextangles: Color, Fold, Twist!
Dive into color and pattern, and make a fidget that flips, twists, and wows! Start by bringing your designs to life with vibrant colors and playful patterns. Then fold and assemble your creation into a mesmerizing Flextangle fidget toy you can twist, turn, and play with again and again. Watch your colorful designs come to life in motion!
RiverPlace Jam Night Sponsored by the Northborn Music Festival Talent Competition
Sponsored by the Northborn Talent Competition
NORTHBORN TALENT COMPETITION: GET READY TO TAKE THE STAGE ON JUNE 6
The Northborn Talent Competition is kicking off the June 6 Northborn Music Festival—and they’re sponsoring the upcoming Jam Night! Stop by to learn more about how you can take the stage and compete alongside singers from across northwest Minnesota. With two age divisions (13-20 and 21+) and cash prizes for the top three in each group, it’s a great opportunity to sing loud and proud. Big voices, big talent, and lots of fun—don’t miss it!
JAM NIGHT: Come listen to an evening of live, local music in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Enjoy an open mic featuring a lineup of musicians from around the area, followed by an informal acoustic jam session. Are you a musician interested in stepping on stage at RiverPlace? Click the link to learn more!
Mindful Creativity: Papermaking with Intention with Cass Maxwell
Registration Deadline: May 15
Experience the art of seeded papermaking in a workshop that blends creativity, mindfulness, and natural materials. Make journal paper circles and plantable seed paper infused with petals, set personal intentions, and take home your creations to grow, an inspiring reflection as they bloom.
Free Crafts for Kids: Paint Your Own Flower Pots
Let your creativity blossom as you design your very own mini flower pot! Paint it with bright colors, playful patterns, blooming flowers, cute animals, your name, or any imaginative design you dream up. Then take your custom creation home to display on a garden shelf, porch, desk, or sunny windowsill. It’s the perfect way to celebrate summer and the beautiful outdoors!
Summer in Color | Weekly Art Classes with Holly Marie {Series 1: Ages 12-17}
Fridays: June 5, 12, 19, 26
Ignite your teen’s creativity this June in a welcoming and supportive environment, guided by an award-winning artist!
Each week, students will explore various mediums like paint and charcoal while mastering key skills in color theory, composition, and shading. Through live demos and hands-on practice, teens will gain confidence and refine their artistic abilities. In this inspiring space, they’ll have opportunities to express their unique ideas and develop their artistic voice.
Summer in Color | Weekly Art Classes with Holly Marie {Series 2: Ages 6-11}
Fridays: June 5, 12, 19, 26
Let your child’s imagination soar this June with fun, hands-on art classes! Each week, young artists will explore color, composition, and shading through exciting projects using paint, charcoal, and more. Classes meet every Friday for an hour of creative fun, and by the end of the month, kids will have a collection of artwork to show off.
She Rises Workshop with Tara Wiskow
Led by Tara Wiskow, CEO of Be The Change You Need, LLC
A powerful, transformational experience designed to help women reconnect with their authentic selves.
Through personal storytelling, mindset work, and guided reflection, Tara leads participants through her three-phase process—Unravel, Upgrade, and Uplevel—to release limiting beliefs, shift stuck patterns, and step into a more confident, self-led life. This experience is for women ready to speak their truth, set boundaries, and build lasting self-trust, offering both meaningful breakthroughs and practical tools they can apply right away.
Free Young Artist Studio | Weave & Wear: Paracord Bracelets
Make your own custom paracord bracelets in this fun, hands-on class! Young artists will learn simple weaving and knotting techniques while creating bracelets in school spirit colors. Mix and match cord colors and patterns to design something unique to wear or share with friends. Great for beginners and young artists who enjoy crafts and creative projects.
Head Drawing with Holly Marie
In this class open to all skill levels, participants will learn the fundamental proportions and structure of the human face while developing their observational drawing skills. Guided instruction will help build a strong foundation, and students will have the opportunity to draw from a live model, gaining valuable experience in capturing likeness and expression.
Clay Planter Workshop with April Symes
Create-your-own summer planters! Participants will craft two handbuilt clay planters, each with a drip tray. No experience is required. Learn basic handbuilding and simple decoration techniques, and walk away with beautiful, personalized planters perfect for your home or garden.
Summer History Camp Hosted by the Warroad Heritage Center
The Warroad Heritage Center is hosting its 4th Annual Summer History Camp! Students will explore the rich tapestry of cultures that make up the Warroad community through hands-on activities, music, art, language, storytelling, and food. Camp experiences will highlight Native American, Scandinavian, Lao/Southeast Asian, and Cuban/Hispanic cultures, with several events taking place at RiverPlace.
Line Dancing Class: Popular Dances from the Cupid Shuffle and Electric Slide to Country
Taught by Suzy and Hondo School of Dance
Kick up your heels and join the fun with this upbeat and beginner-friendly Line Dancing class. You’ll learn crowd-pleasing dances popular at receptions and parties set to a mix of music, from classics like Cupid Shuffle, Electric Slide, and Boot Scootin’ Boogie to newer favorites like Hoedown, Glass of Wine, and Tipsy. No partner needed, and we’ll keep things simple so everyone can jump in. It’s a great way to feel more at ease on the dance floor, especially with wedding season and summer gatherings around the corner!
Country Dance Clinic with Suzy and Hondo School of Dance
You asked, we listened!
After interest in country dancing in our community poll, we’re excited to bring you this fun-filled, beginner-friendly clinic with Suzy and Hondo of Bemidji, Minn. Learn the basics of Two Step, Waltz, and Polka, including foot positions, step patterns, musicality set to classic country favorites like “Honky Tonk Blues” and “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” and the fundamentals of leading and following, all in a relaxed, high-energy environment. No experience needed!
Clay Fish Wall Hanging with Betsy Saurdiff
Create a one-of-a-kind clay fish wall hanging in this workshop led by Betsy Saurdiff, a recognized potter whose work has been featured in the RiverPlace gallery. In this hands-on session, you’ll design and shape your own fish from a clay slab, explore texture and pattern, and apply vibrant underglazes to bring your piece to life. You’ll also learn the art of sgraffito—carving through layers of color to reveal striking designs beneath the surface.
Free Crafts for Kids: Whimsical Wind Chimes
Create a colorful wind chime full of whimsy and creativity! Kids will use bright markers, colorful gems, and playful designs to transform their piece into something lively and unique. Once finished, each wind chime can be taken home to hang in a window or outdoors, where it will move in the breeze with soft, gentle sounds.
Warroad Summer Theatre’s Popcorn Players Production of Disney Newsies JR.
“Seize the Day!” and come see the first Warroad Summer Theatre Popcorn Players musical production on the RiverPlace stage, featuring local kids ages 6-18!
When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys' expense, the charismatic Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. Together, the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what's right.
Lucky Stiff | A Musical Comedy Presented by Warroad Summer Theatre
This murder mystery farce of mistaken identities, millions in diamonds, and a wheelchair-bound corpse will leave you dying of laughter.
Lucky Stiff is a madcap, hilarious romp of a musical that follows Harry Witherspoon’s journey from England to Monte Carlo...with a rather unusual traveling companion. Harry receives the unexpected news that he has inherited a fortune from his late Uncle Anthony, on the condition that he takes Anthony’s dead body on a special trip to Monte Carlo. If Harry fails, the money will go to Annabelle Glick from the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn. However, Uncle Anthony’s lover Rita is on Harry’s tail to get the $6 million she embezzled from her husband back before her brother Vinnie is blamed for the crime. With mistaken identities, potential love, disguises, chase scenes and an omnipresent corpse, Lucky Stiff will keep you laughing and guessing who will come out on top.
Garth LIVE! Legendary Tribute to Garth Brooks Hosted by the Northern Lights Concert Association
Having played to sold-out crowds across the U.S., GARTH LIVE! is a stunning tribute to the music of Garth Brooks featuring Drew Baloh, who has an uncanny resemblance to legendary country music icon Garth Brooks.
This production is a tribute to some of the greatest music produced in the 90's country era including monster hits such as Friends in Low Places, The Thunder Rolls, The Dance, Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old), Ain't Goin' Down (til the Sun Comes Up) and countless others. From Garth's earliest hits to Live in Central Park, GARTH LIVE! will take you on a country music journey that is unmatched.
Todd Oliver’s Funniest Night in Town Hosted by the Northern Lights Concert Association
As seen on The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show, America’s Got Talent (Top 4 Finalist), and more!
A nationally-recognized ventriloquist and comedian, Todd Oliver puts on a family-friendly show full of laughter, magic, and music, featuring his talking dog Irving and a rotating cast of characters. As Irving the Talking Dog says, “You’ll be howling for more!”
Arcostrum Hosted by the Northern Lights Concert Association
ArcoStrum’s innovative program offers an immersive, movie-like experience that promises a transformative musical journey that transcends boundaries, celebrating the evolution of music across cultures and generations.
Merging Eastern and Western cultures, ArcoStrum seamlessly combines the evocative sounds of traditional Chinese instruments like the erhu and dizi with the virtuosity of classical violin, guitar, and electric guitar.
Registration Opens: Summer History Camp Hosted by the Warroad Heritage Center
Mark Your Calendars — Spaces Fill Up Fast!
Camp Dates: June 15-19
The Warroad Heritage Center is hosting its 4th Annual Summer History Camp! Students will explore the rich tapestry of cultures that make up the Warroad community through hands-on activities, music, art, language, storytelling, and food. Camp experiences will highlight Native American, Scandinavian, Lao/Southeast Asian, and Cuban/Hispanic cultures, with several events taking place at RiverPlace.
Museum Masterpieces | Nancy's Notes Music Studio Recital
Enjoy an evening of piano solos inspired by great works of art, with Nancy’s Notes Music Studio students performing as RiverPlace’s digital wall showcases museum masterpieces. All are invited to this beautiful pairing of music and visual art.
Senior Recital | Nancy’s Notes Music Studio
Join Nancy’s Notes Music Studio for an afternoon of piano and vocal music from local graduating seniors, sharing work shaped over years of steady dedication, practice, and growth. Family, friends, and neighbors are warmly invited to listen and be part of this milestone moment as these students take the stage one final time in this chapter of their musical journey.
Restorative Sound Bath with Cass Maxwell
Experience deep relaxation at this Reiki-infused sound bath led by Cass of The Laughter Patch Integrative Health & Energetic Healing. The one-hour session begins with gentle guided meditation and grounding breathwork, followed by a soothing sound journey using singing bowls, chimes, bells, drums, rattles, and harmonica. These healing vibrations help calm the nervous system, support emotional balance, and promote a sense of peace and renewal.
Playing with Paper: A Beginner’s Introduction to Paper Quilling with Nikki Besser
Taught by featured RiverPlace gallery artist Nikki Besser, this class is a beginner’s introduction to paper quilling—the art of manipulating and arranging strips of paper into dimensionally detailed and decorative designs and images. Participants in this class will learn how to create the basic shapes, textures, and techniques necessary to create the featured image. The skills learned in this project are versatile and common techniques in the understanding of this craft, establishing a good foundation of information in moving forward with future crafts that may inspire.
Pops Concert | Warroad High School Choir
Junior High: 6 PM
Senior High: 7:30 PM
A fun and nostalgic musical journey awaits at this year’s Pops Concert as the Warroad High School Choirs perform a variety of songs you know and love. Everyone is invited to this upbeat celebration of student talent as the school year comes to a close.
Stitch and Swap
Back by popular demand!
Join us for a relaxed, creative gathering where makers of all kinds come together to stitch, mend, and create. Crochet, knit, quilt, embroider, felt, sew—all fiber arts are welcome. Bring your current project and the tools you love, whether that’s a sewing machine, needles and thread, yarn, hoops, or something in between.
Warroad Elementary 5th Grade Music Concert
Join the Warroad Elementary 5th graders as they lift up their voices in a vibrant celebration of music and culture! This special performance showcases their talents on a variety of traditional African instruments, including xylophones, an array of drums, and gourds, alongside guest artist Sowah Mensah. Everyone is invited to this free concert.
Philip Daniel in Concert
CINEMATIC. COLORFUL. CAPTIVATING.
This isn’t just a concert. It’s an experience.
Pianist and composer Philip Daniel transforms live music into an immersive journey, blending original piano compositions, electronics, and subtle percussion with a stunning digital visual display. As he performs, RiverPlace will come alive with waves of color and cinematic imagery, inviting the audience to fully experience the performance. Rooted in classical training and shaped by modern film and minimalism, his music is both powerful and deeply evocative, creating an atmosphere that stays with you long after the final note.
Free Crafts for Kids: Fish Scratch Art
Get ready for a splash of creativity at our monthly free kids’ craft event! This May, we’re diving into the excitement of the upcoming Minnesota fishing opener with a fun and colorful fish scratch art activity. Kids will use special tools to scratch away the surface of their fish designs, revealing vibrant patterns and colors underneath. Since every design is unique, no two fish will ever look the same! And you can even add a ribbon to turn the fish into a fun decoration. Drop in anytime from 3:30-5:30 PM and let your child’s imagination swim wild.
Mandala Dot Painting with Diana Magner
Mandala painting is the art of creating beautiful, harmonious designs with symmetrical patterns and dots that radiate from a central point. In this class, you’ll learn to paint a unique mandala design on a 4-inch stone using dotting tools, guided by artist and educator Diana Magner. The goal is to get you comfortable with the technique, so you can go home and continue painting on your own.
Auditions: Warroad Summer Theatre's Popcorn Player Production of Disney’s Newsie's Jr.
Warroad Summer Theatre invites you to audition for the first Popcorn Players production on the RiverPlace stage! “Seize the Day!” and come perform July 8-11.
RiverPlace Jam Night: Open Mic, Open Acoustic Jam, & Tech Sneak Peek
Come listen to an evening of live, local music in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Enjoy an open mic featuring a lineup of musicians from around the area, followed by an informal acoustic jam session.
Whether you stay for a song or the whole evening, you’re invited to settle in and simply enjoy the music.
Are you a musician interested in stepping on stage at RiverPlace? Register for an open mic slot, or bring your acoustic instrument and jump in for the open jam at your comfort level.
Artist & Awards Reception | Northwest Minnesota Annual Art Exhibit
This free public artist reception marks the culmination of the Northwest Minnesota Annual Art Exhibit, bringing the show to a celebratory close. Beginning at 2:30 PM, with an awards program at 3:30 PM, guests are invited to mingle with regional artists, explore 114 works by 80 creators, and enjoy light refreshments accompanied by live music. The afternoon also pays tribute to exceptional contributions to the arts, honoring recipients of lifetime achievement, artist of the year, and arts advocacy awards, alongside additional distinctions recognizing outstanding works in the exhibit.
Celebrating 250 Years: Songs of America's Hometowns with Charlie Maguire
A FREE concert hosted by the Warroad Heritage Center, the Roseau County Museum, and Lake of the Woods County Historical Society
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial) as a nation in 2026, a new program by Charlie Maguire is here! The first Singing Ranger in the National Park Service and Outreach Artist for the Smithsonian’s Traveling Exhibition Service, Charlie brings a collection of his songs with emphasis on the lives of everyday people in the rural United States: farmers, wilderness preservers, small business owners — those who put down deep roots in an Americana then grew and prospered.
Stitch and Swap
Back by popular demand!
Join us for a relaxed, creative gathering where makers of all kinds come together to stitch, mend, and create. Crochet, knit, quilt, embroider, felt, sew—all fiber arts are welcome. Bring your current project and the tools you love, whether that’s a sewing machine, needles and thread, yarn, hoops, or something in between.
This isn’t a class, but a shared studio experience—the hum of machines, the rhythm of needles, and conversations unfolding between stitches. Work at your own pace, swap ideas, or simply pop in to connect with a friendly, supportive community.
Free Crafts for Kids: Spring Chicks and Bunny Hop Races
Hippity hoppity! Spring fun is on the way at RiverPlace—craft a chick, then hop like a bunny!
Kids will decorate their own popsicle stick chicks as part of this colorful spring Easter craft and take their finished creations home, perfect for spring displays or fridge magnets. After crafting, we’ll head outside through the classroom patio doors (weather permitting) for bunny hop potato sack races. Ready, set, hop!
Northwest Minnesota Annual Art Exhibit
Explore the creativity of our region at the Northwest Minnesota Annual Art Exhibit! Featuring over 100 vibrant works from artists of all ages across the seven-county region, the exhibit showcases painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and more. Celebrate local talent and discover art that inspires.
Stitch and Swap
Join us for a relaxed, creative gathering where makers of all kinds come together to stitch, mend, and create. Crochet, knit, quilt, embroider, felt, sew—all fiber arts are welcome. Bring your current project and the tools you love, whether that’s a sewing machine, needles and thread, yarn, hoops, or something in between.
This isn’t a class, but a shared studio experience—the hum of machines, the rhythm of needles, and conversations unfolding between stitches. Work at your own pace, swap ideas, or simply pop in to connect with a friendly, supportive community.
Free Young Artist Studio | Wearable Art: Denim Reimagined
Ready to give your denim a whole new life? Use it as your canvas!
Bring a piece you’re ready to transform. Reimagine the pocket on a pair of jeans, turn your favorite denim jacket into a wearable masterpiece, or give a thrifted denim shirt the personality it's been waiting for. Add your signature touch and make it uniquely yours!
All you need is a garment and a spark of an idea. We’ll provide the paints, supplies, and creative space to help you bring it to life. No experience needed, just a willingness to experiment and create.
Stained Glass Suncatchers with Sherri Kruger-Kukowski
Explore the art of stained glass in this hands-on suncatcher workshop! Guided by recognized mosaicist and former featured RiverPlace gallery artist Sherri Kruger-Kukowski, students will receive expert instruction and creative support throughout the process.
Free Crafts for Kids: St. Patrick’s Day Beaded Bracelet
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a hands-on, creative craft just for kids! In this festive workshop, participants will design and string their own lucky beaded bracelet using green, white, and gold beads—then finish it off with a special lucky charm!
Learn the Basics of Quill Art with Sherri Kruger-Kukowski
Inspired by the intricate quill art exhibit on view by artist Nikki Besser? Try this paper art form for yourself!
Paper quilling uses thin strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and arranged to create detailed designs with texture and dimension. In this beginner-friendly class, you’ll learn the basic techniques of quilling while creating a handcrafted 5×7” card suitable for framing or gift giving. And your beginner’s kit will allow you to make even more art pieces at home!
Sew Useful: Bowl Cozy Workshop with Carolyn Fortier
Bowl cozies are a simple, sew-useful kitchen essential designed to protect your hands from hot bowls while adding a colorful touch to everyday meals—perfect for soups, leftovers, and microwave meals.
Don’t know how to use a sewing machine? No problem! Your instructor will be on-hand to teach and inspire!
RiverPlace Jam Night: Open Mic, Open Acoustic Jam, & Tech Sneak Peek
Step on stage at RiverPlace! Share your passion and talent among a supportive group of musicians and music lovers.
We’ll kick things off with one hour of open mic—registration required. Afterward, the stage opens up for a collaborative jam. Bring your acoustic instrument and jump in at your comfort level. Just want to listen? All are welcome!
Gallery Exhibit: Portrayals in Paper: Tales of Overcoming by Nikki Besser
Step into a realm where paper becomes legend, and stories of resilience rise in three dimensions. Portrayals in Paper: Tales of Overcoming unveils an exhibition of large-scale, intricate paper artworks, where meticulous craft intertwines with the fantastical. Each piece centers on a human figure, joined by birds and animals, conjuring narratives of challenge, triumph, and transformation in all their own unique and fascinating stories.
Explore the RiverPlace gallery Tuesday-Saturday, 10 AM-5 PM. As always, admission is free of charge.
Sip and See | Artist Reception, Coffee Bar, and Themed Treats with Erik Pearson
Everyone is welcome to a gallery open house and artist reception for Warroad RiverPlace’s newest exhibit, Percolations and Musings, by Erik Pearson (Twin Cities, MN).
This free event will feature a coffee bar and themed treats in celebration of this collection of works that were inspired by coffee—from the artist’s time in coffee shops or time spent over a warm cup with family. Visitors are invited to browse the artwork, meet Erik, and socialize over light refreshments with friends and neighbors.
Gallery Exhibit: Percolations and Musings by Erik Pearson
This collection of artwork was generated or influenced by a good cup of coffee in a warm inviting space. Please raise a cup and listen to the stories that they tell you. Let them percolate, and add them to your own collection of ideas.
Gallery Exhibit: An Indigenous Artist’s Journey Through Leather, Beadwork, and Portraiture by Cindy Godin Hamilton
A life of ever-evolving, creative expression followed a transformational journey of ancestral homecoming for Ojibwe artist Cindy Godin Hamilton (Williams, Minnesota). Exploring an array of artforms, she found passion, curiosity, and natural talent with traditional leatherwork—like moccasins, mukluks, and mitts—as well as a fascination with portraiture.
An Indigenous Artist’s Journey is an opportunity to celebrate the power of Indigenous art and to experience the diverse ways in which culture, history, and individual expression intertwine, inviting viewers to appreciate the artist's unique vision and voice.
Gallery Exhibit: Rural Traditions by Debbie Dahl Aune and Betsy Saurdiff
Blueberry picking. Hunting. Fishing. Baking. Grain bins. Canned preserves. And, of course: Family. Long-rooted life on the land in northern Minnesota is the inspiration behind the artistry of potter Betsy Saurdiff (Grygla) and watercolorist Debbie Dahl Aune (Gatzke).
Weaving stories from their lives, the artists invite gallery visitors to tell their own as they interact with this unique combination of pieces designed to nourish both body and soul.