Creative fun
Up North
Visit a haven for artistic people
in beautiful Alcona County

Events and series coming soon

June 21 - AUgust 29, 2017
Summer Art for Youth
Free weekly art lessons for elementary through high school students, taught by local professional artists. Twenty new artists showed up for the first class, drawing with Joe Jenney. (Some came late and missed the picture.) The series continues at 10 a.m. Tuesdays (except Wednesday, July 5 instead of July 4). Click to learn more.
September 7 - October 12, 2017
Reeling with Laughter
Film historian John Blakemore, who summers in Black River, leads a six-session class about movie comedies. Classes are held from 2 to 4 pm each Thursday starting September 7. A great American film is shown at each lesson. Genres include anarchic,  romantic, screwball, musical, satirical and parody comedies. Click here for more.
September 9, 2017
An Evening of Acoustic Music with Neil Woodard and Suzanne and Jim
Suzanne and Jim, an international touring duo, and Michigan's Troubadour, Neil Woodward, will play a concert of Americana and roots music at the Alcona High School auditorium, starting at 7 p.m. Profits go to the newly restarted Alcona Schools band.
September 22-24, 2017
Thunder Bay Folk Festival
Inspiration Alcona is proud to be a sponsor of this three-day celebration of folk music presented by our friends in the Thunder Bay Folk Society in nearby Alpena County. This is the fourth year for the rapidly growing festival.
September 30, 2017
Farm to Fork Alcona Workshop & Dinner
Natural fermentation using local produce is the topic of the 2 p.m. workshop with David Klingenberger of Ann Arbor's The Brinery, which supplies Zingerman's. Appetizers, a cash bar and a mini farmers market follow at 4 p.m. A locavore dinner at 5:30 by The Brinery's chef wraps up the event. Click here for more information or to sign up.
Third Friday of each month
Classic Hollywood
Movie Night
Great cinema shows every third Friday at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library. Free movie, free popcorn and free beverages. Come join the fun!
Second and Fourth Saturdays
Alcona Authors
writers group
Enthusiastic and experienced leader MaryAnn Crawford hosts this program for adults who write or want to give writing a try. New participants are always welcome. $25 for six sessions. After a summer break, the series resumes in September.

Sign up for a three-day retreat

SEPTEMber 7-10, 2017
Alcona Arts
Retreat
Choose one of four exciting workshops
October 5 - 8, 2017
Lost Lake
Writers Retreat
Learn from six talented author-teachers

Past events

If you'd like to see more about the retreats or other events above, click here to see photo stories about the events we've held or sponsored since December 2015.

Stay in touch

Inspiration Alcona is grateful for its 2016 - 17 grants

While Inspiration Alcona appreciates donations from local businesses and individuals, and it raises more than half its budget from participation fees, it could not offer the breadth of programs it does without the generous support of these agencies.

Inspiration Alcona also works with several partners shown below and has earned recognition as noted.

Partners

Recognition