Just down the road, tucked into the rolling hills of the Driftless Area (of Dunn County), the Everwood Farmstead Foundation is in the middle of its 14th season of bringing world-class art to the countryside. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Everwood has spent over a decade proving that creativity thrives when given a little room to breathe, hosting inspiring spaces where artists can perform, teach, and work surrounded by the natural beauty of our unique landscape.
This summer’s lineup continues to bring a variety of creative experiences to the property’s historic barn. On August 1st, the acclaimed Americana band Maygen & The Birdwatcher will take the stage, bringing their signature blend of folk and country harmonies to the valley. On September 26th, attendees looking to build their own storytelling skills can participate in an interactive Intro to Podcasting workshop designed to help emerging voices find their audience.
Beyond its public events, the foundation also serves as a vital sanctuary for artists through an application-only residency program. Offered at no cost, the Everwood Farmstead Artist Retreat hosts two artists per week during the summer months on the 57-acre nature sanctuary, ensuring both emerging and established talent find the focused peace and beautiful spaces needed to advance their craft. Rooted in the nonprofit’s core value of radical hospitality, the retreat is designed to restore and inspire artists without any agenda.
What makes Everwood such a treasure for our community is its commitment to supporting the people who make the arts happen. For the Artist Series performance, pay-what-you-can ticket proceeds are split evenly: half goes directly to the musicians, and the other half enters the Aspiring Artists Fund. Since 2012, this fund has contributed over $70,000 right back into local school art classrooms, helping teachers inspire the next generation of creators. For the educational workshops, the focus shifts to fully supporting the teacher, with 100 percent of registration fees going straight to the instructor.
For local educators, the Aspiring Artists Fund provides direct financial support to bring creative ideas to life. Arts-focused teachers in the six surrounding counties—Dunn, St. Croix, Polk, Barron, Pierce, and Pepin—can apply each spring for grant funding to support innovative classroom projects. The foundation’s Board of Directors reviews dozens of applications annually, awarding grants ranging from $250 to $2,000. Recipients are then invited and recognized during Everwood’s summer Artist Series performances. (Click HERE for how to apply).
Because ticket proceeds go entirely to the creatives and classrooms, sustaining operations requires a separate effort. On Saturday, August 15th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Everwood will host CULTIVATE, its sole annual fundraiser. Guests can arrive early to explore the trails before gathering in the barn at 1:30 p.m. for a live performance by Minneapolis jazz vocalist Leslie Vincent. The afternoon concludes on the lawn with a seasonal farm-to-fork lunch by Mindful Fork Catering. Designed exclusively to fund administrative costs, the event ensures this vital sanctuary remains open for seasons to come.
For more information:
everwoodfarmsteadfoundation.org
Katy Tessman is Pursuits Coordinator for Everwood Farmstead Foundation. She may be reached at (952) 938-0945 or [email protected]
