Garden Party Books

Intermediate Pottery Wheel Bootcamp
2022-10-16 12:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
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Learn new techniques at “pulling a wall,” and get plenty of time on a wheel to practice. This intermediate class meets at the Comradery Pottery Studio on Sunday, October 16, 12-6pm.

Ceramist and teacher Art Gannett will devote time to helping students better understand pulling/building a wall and focus on exactly how to get from a ball of clay to a specific finished shape. There are important guidelines and understandings for making any given shape, and learning and understanding them makes an enormous difference in progressing beyond the beginning level.

Since this is an intermediate class, students must be able to reliably center and open a ball of clay and have a basic understanding of how to begin pulling up a wall. Anyone 16 and up who has this basic skill level is welcome to join the class.

Price is $59, plus $16 supplies plus a $3 per piece firing fee (paid when picking up finished pots)

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Art Gannett has been making pots for over 46 years. As a potter, he is virtually self-taught other than a period of time working with Wendelin Stahl in Germany. Gannett is the senior thrower at Red Wing Stoneware and creates his own work in Pepin, Wisconsin, at the Little Plum Pottery.

Canceled: Wall Clock Pottery Class
2022-10-25 18:30 - 21:30 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
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Come join us at Comradery Pottery for an evening of fun, designing and creating a working wall clock . . . and yes it will keep time!

This requires no previous experience and your instructor will guide and assist you throughout the process. We have lots of ideas to share and will provide all the materials required. This could be a terrific DIY gift for a family member or friend.

$35 for class, and $10 for fees (clay, glazes, clock parts, and firing fees).

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Trick-or-Treat at Garden Party!
2022-10-31 17:00 - 18:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
On Halloween when you’re out trick-or-treating, stop by Garden Party Books in costume and choose a free children’s book! Open to all ages! We can’t wait to see your costumes!

Beginning Pottery Wheel Course (4 Classes)
2022-11-12 11:00 - 14:00 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
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Want to learn the art of making functional pottery on the potter’s wheel? Pottery Wheel Instructor Daniel Kim Lee will teach students to center on the wheel, shape and trim pots, and more.

The classes are suitable for beginners, even kids ages 11+ (with an adult) as well as for advanced beginners. Come learn in a fun, non-judgmental, and encouraging environment!

This four week class is on Saturday afternoons from November 12 to December 10. (No class November 26 because it’s Thanksgiving weekend)

November 12, 11:00AM-2:00PM

November 19, 11:00AM-2:00PM

December 3, 11:00AM-2:00PM

December 10, 11:00AM-2:00PM

These classes have a maximum of ten students, ensuring plenty of student to teacher contact time. This class also teaches you what you need to know to become a pottery studio member.

Get your hands wet and enjoy the process of clay. Wear clothes to get dirty and get ready to work the wheel!Class fee is $125, + $18 for supplies and $3 per piece for firing.

Supply fee includes one bag of clay (25 pounds), all glazing materials, and use of studio tools.

(The class time was 12:30-3:30PM but has been changed to 11:00AM-2:00PM)

Register Now!

Fox Pointe Publishing Book Fair at Garden Party!
2022-11-19 10:00 - 15:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901
Fox Pointe Publishing is based in Austin, Minnesota, and they will be at Garden Party Books with 60+ titles along for the ride! They publish many SE Minnesota & regional authors.

Come find your new favorite book!

Canceled: Story Time at Nana Gogo Toybrary
2022-12-06 10:30 - 11:30 | Nana Gogo Toybrary, 2300 Superior Drive NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
We’re so sorry! If you were planning on going to this story time, definitely go and play anyway, and the next time you’re in Garden Party reference this cancellation for a free children’s book!

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Garden Party Books will be at Nana Gogo Toybrary on Tuesday, November 1 at 10:30 AM! We’ll read fun stories together, and we’ll also have a small children’s book sale (all books are $3).

This event is free for Nana Gogo Toybrary members and will be included in a day pass for non-members ($7.50 per child). A day pass allows your kids to play as long as they want with all of the fabulous toys!

Make a FREE Ceramic Ornament!
2022-12-10 12:00 - 16:00 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Handbuild an ornament for your tree or for the window or as a wonderful gift for that special someone you love so much.

The first ornament is completely free, and it’s only $5/each for additional pieces.

We’ll dry them thoroughly and bisque fire them. After that, we’ll clear glaze each one to make them shiny. Lastly, we’ll high fire them so they’re strong.

Guaranteed to be ready for pick up by December 23 at the latest.

All ages welcome – kids 6 and under should have an adult helper (who may also make their own ornament).

No need to register – just show up and we’ll help you through the process 🙂 Stop by as you enjoy Christmas in Zumbrota, with Santa at Dwell and lots of fun holiday magic at all the downtown stores!

Marie Marvin and Karen Flynn, instructors.

Paint & Carve Pottery Class
2023-01-21 13:00 - 15:30 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
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Learn the sgraffitto decorating method by painting and carving two premade plates or bowls.

We will paint them with underglaze (used like watercolors/acrylics), dry and then carve the design to reveal the clay beneath. There will be lots of design templates you can use, or you can create your own design. We will give them a clear glaze and then fire them to create foodsafe, oven, dishwasher and microwave safe dishes.

You’ll later pick up your beautiful pieces, and you’ll learn a fun new artistic technique!

$29 for class

$10 for supplies and firing

Register now!

All the example pictures are made by Karen Flynn, the excellent instructor for this class! See more on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceramics_by_karen/

Author Meet & Greet: Jason Lee Willis
2023-01-28 13:00 - 16:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
We are so thrilled to have Minnesota author Jason Lee Willis in store this Saturday to chat with readers and sign copies The Alchemist’s Map and his new book, The Fire Handler. The Alchemist’s Map is a fantastical adventure through historical Minnesota and has been a reader favorite in store!

To meet Jason, stop into Garden Party this Saturday, January 28th, from 1:00-4:00!

Author Meet & Greet: Amy Gregg
2023-02-11 13:00 - 16:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
We’re excited to host Minnesota author Amy Gregg! Come buy a copy of her new cozy mystery, Farmed and Dangerous, set in southern Minnesota farming country! Amy will be here to chat and sign books. Support a local author!

Minneapolis socialite Lilly Schmidt thought she had her life figured out… until her world came crashing down with the one-two punch of divorce papers and news of her grandparents’ deaths.

Suddenly single and the new owner of her family’s farm, Lilly finds herself thrust back into the old life she’d left far behind in her rural hometown of Lone Tree, Minnesota. The simple restart Lilly looks for on the farm is anything but when she is caught up in the fight between land developers hoping to bring new business and growth to the town, and the locals who want to keep their country life simple. She also, begrudgingly, must keep the peace with the farm’s hired hand Ryan, who also happens to be her old high school boyfriend—and is he still nursing a grudge!

When one of the land developers is found dead on her farm, Lilly faces a mix of small-town feuds and family secrets that proves deadlier with each turn. Can Lilly figure out the killer before she “buys the farm” permanently?

New Book Event: She's Still Here
2023-02-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Join us on February 11th from 6:30 – 8:00pm to celebrate local author Caitlin Alexander’s paranormal middle grade novel, She’s Still Here! There will be an author Q&A, a book signing, snacks and drinks, and plenty of spooky fun!

The event is free, and books will be available for purchase at the event. We hope to see you there!

Kate is new in town. Jane has been there for what seems like forever. Can Kate find out the truth? The one that is keeping Jane tethered to Ravendale Middle School? Find out in book one of the Kate Sablowsky Paranormal Investigator Series … And know life’s not just the here and now. For fans of Mary Downing Hahn and the Nancy Drew mystery book series, you’ll love Caitlin Alexander’s debut middle grade paranormal horror, filled with the perfect combination of ghostly mystery and adventure.

Make Plates & Platters (2 Classes)
2023-02-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
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The first night of class you will learn four techniques for handbuilding plates and platters: slump molds, hump molds, push molds and pinching.

The second class we will finish the edges, add a foot if desired, and learn several ways to decorate your work: painting, carving, and sgraffitto.

Expect to make 3 to 5 gorgeous plates and/or platters that are microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe!

Saturday, February 18, 1-4 PMSaturday, February 25, 1-4 PM

$59 for classes

$13 for supplies (clay, glazes firing)

All the example pictures are made by Karen Flynn, the excellent instructor for this class! See more on instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ceramics_by_karen/

Register Now!

New Book Event! Out of Character
2023-03-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Registration Required! Register here!

Minnesota author Jenna Miller will be at Garden Party celebrating her new YA book, Out of Character!

If you asked seventeen-year-old Cass Williams to describe herself, she’d happily tell you she’s fat, queer, and obsessed with the Tide Wars books. What she won’t tell you—or anyone in her life—is that she’s part of an online Tide Wars roleplay community. Sure, it’s nerdy as hell, but when she’s behind the screen writing scenes as Captain Aresha, she doesn’t have to think about her mother who walked out or how unexpectedly stressful it is dating resident cool girl Taylor Cooper.

Jenna will talk about the book and answer your burning questions. Copies will be available for purchase and signing.

This is a free event but it is ticketed so it doesn’t get too crowded. Register for tickets here by clicking “Attend” and then checking out your cart (no credit card info is required). At the event your name will be on the list! Please register separately for every attendee. Can’t wait to see you there!

Winter Endurance Book Sale
2023-03-18 10:00 - 17:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Winters in Minnesota are long, and you are doing a fantastic job of enduring. You’ve done a lot of shoveling, dealt with a lot of crappy weather, and you deserve a fabulous book sale!

50 percent off all used books at Garden Party Books on Saturday, March 18!

Make Ukrainian Easter Eggs!
2023-03-27 18:30 - 21:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Register now!

Our last Ukrainian Easter Egg Class sold out, here’s a second chance!

Learn how to make pysanky, Ukrainian Easter Eggs! This process involves dyeing eggs, covering the color you want to remain in melted beeswax using a tool called a kistka, and then dyeing the egg the next color. At the end all the wax is melted away to reveal gorgeous colors and patterns. This beginner class for people age 12 and up will teach you to create two eggs with simplified designs.

$35 per person!

Register now!

Murder Room Madness!
2023-04-01 10:00 - 17:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
As March Madness draws to a close, you’ll need something new and exciting to occupy your leisure time. We suggest the books in our Murder Room: mystery, thriller, horror, and true crime.

On Saturday, April 1, from 10AM-5PM, every book in the Murder Room is only $2. That’s right, $2. Hardcover, softcover, newer releases, all of it. You’ll be able to get plenty of books to keep your heart pounding and your adrenaline up long after March Madness ends.

Bright Pajaki (Polish Mobiles) Class
2023-04-03 18:30 - 21:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
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Pajaki are beautiful Polish mobiles made out of paper, straw, and tissue paper. In this class we’ll learn how to assemble the structure and how to make the tissue paper pom poms that adorn it, all in bright spring colors. You’ll leave with a gorgeous decoration for your home and the ability to make more! Ages 12+

$39 per participant Now on sale for $27!

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Afternoon on the Wheel for Beginners!
2023-04-08 14:00 - 16:30 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
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Have you always wanted to try making pottery on the wheel? This class is your chance! Come for a fun and relaxing afternoon that will introduce you to the pottery wheel. NO experience required!

We will show you the basics and provide time for you to experiment with various shapes. If you create some things you would like to keep, we will fire and glaze them for you to pick up a couple weeks later. So grab your BFF, co-worker, or make it a date! Families are welcome! (grades 4+) Feel free to bring snacks and beverages.

Who knows, maybe you will discover a new love! If so, we offer five-week introductory wheel classes throughout the year, where you can learn all the basics required to become a clay studio member.

Price is $29 plus $9 for supplies and $4 firing fee for each piece you make.

Register Now!

Sex, Drugs, and Family Secrets: Three Minnesota Authors Talk
2023-04-15 17:00 - 18:45 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
In three very different books, three Minnesota authors tackle difficult and taboo topics with love, empathy, and humor. All three authors will be at Garden Party to share about their work.

In The Night When No One Had Sex, a YA novel, Kalena Miller tells the story of a group of friends and their prom night experiences. She writes about teenage sexuality in all its glory, mundanity, and awkwardness. Such frankness can get a book banned, and Miller will talk about the impact of book bans on YA fiction.

In Opioid Reckoning: Love, Loss, and Redemption in the Rehab State, Amy C. Sullivan shares her family’s terrifying experience with opioid addiction. She then collected other people’s oral histories and created this excellent non-fiction book that fights the stigma of drug use and focuses on finding solutions to get people the help they need. You’ll come away with an empathetic perspective on the opioid epidemic and how it has impacted Minnesota specifically.

In Evidence of V: A Novel in Fragments, Facts, and Fiction, Sheila O’Connor grapples with the family secret she uncovered: her maternal grandmother is not actually her grandmother. Her real grandmother was pregnant at 15 and was incarcerated for six years for “immorality” by the state of Minnesota; her baby was given to her sister. In this fascinating book she combines the facts of her own story with her grandmother’s life as she imagines it, along with in-depth research on Minnesota’s system of reformatory institutions for “immoral” girls who were victims, not perpetrators.

There will be a time after each author for questions. All the books will be available for sale and the authors will be available for signing.

You don’t want to miss this chance to hear three amazing authors talk about the things we’re not supposed to talk about. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served!

Talk Like Shakespeare Day
2023-04-23 13:00 - 17:00 | Garden Party Books
Tell us a Shakespeare quote at the register (any quote at all!) and get 20 percent off all used books and 50 percent off any book you can conceivably connect to Shakespeare, creativity is encouraged!

Indie Bookstore Day!
2023-04-29 10:00 - 17:00 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Come celebrate everything that is great about indie bookstores! We’ll have lots of free book swag, the new Midwest indie bookstore maps (also free!) and the Taqueria El Sueno food truck will be here from 11AM to 3PM! Tacos and an indie bookstore, what could be better?

Rochester Author Virginia Wright-Peterson Book Signing
2023-05-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Garden Party Books, 602 7th St NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
This Saturday, May 13, Rochester author Virginia Wright-Peterson will be at Garden Party from 10-11:30 AM to sign her three books (all Minnesota Book Awards Finalists)!

A Woman’s War, Too: Women at Work During World War IIWomen of Mayo Clinic: The Founding GenerationRochester: An Urban Biography

These books make amazing Mother’s Day gifts (or Father’s Day gifts if you’re really on top of it!) And Virginia can personalize them for that extra special touch!

Spring Clear Out Sale!
2023-05-20 10:00 - 17:00
Mark your calendars! This Saturday, May 20th, we’re having a spring clear out sale! ALL used books will be 50% off of our already low prices! We’ll be open from 10:00 – 5:00, and our shelves are jam packed with books waiting to be added to your TBR stack!

Bring a friend and browse books for a bit! Will we see you there?

Printing Ceramic Vessels (2 Classes)
2023-05-25 18:30 - 20:30 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Register now!

In the first class you will learn how to create intricate patterns on clay by using all kinds of found objects, and then taking your beautifully stamped clay and turning it into vessels: vase, cup, pencil holder, objet d’art, whatever you like! The clay will then go into a bisque firing.

In the second class you will glaze your creations, using the color to highlight the patterns you made in the first class. After the second firing, you’ll be able to pick up your gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces!

This class is suitable for beginners and up, and children from 11-15 can attend with an attending adult.

Class one: Thursday, May 25, 6:30PM to 8:30PMClass two: Thursday, June 8, 6:30PM to 7:30PM

$57 for classes$11 for supplies (clay, glazes)$3 firing fee per piece

This class is taught by Charlie Putnam, a retired art teacher who taught for 29 years in a K-12 public school and taught at Mankato State as an adjunct instructor for 28 years. He’s currently active and pursuing his own interests in art including painting, printmaking and ceramics. Check out his work at charlieputnam.com!

Make sure to wear something that can get messy!

Register now!

Beginning Pottery Wheel Course (5 Classes)
2023-06-07 19:00 - 21:30 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
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Learn the process of wheel-thrown pottery from a lump of clay to a fired piece with Kate Sanders and Jenny Walter. We will break down the steps in this approachable class, including wedging, centering, throwing, trimming, firing, and glazing.

The classes are suitable for beginners, even teens ages 16+, as well as for advanced beginners. Come learn in a fun, non-judgmental, and encouraging environment!

This five week class is on Wednesday evenings from June 7 to July 5.

June 7, 7:00 to 9:30 pm

June 14, 7:00 to 9:30 pm

June 21, 7:00 to 9:30 pm

June 28, 7:00 to 9:30 pm

July 5, 7:00 to 9:30 pm

These classes have a maximum of eight students, ensuring plenty of student to teacher contact time. This class also teaches you what you need to know to become a pottery studio member.

Get your hands wet and enjoy the process of clay. Wear clothes to get dirty and get ready to work the wheel!Class fee is $139, + $18 for supplies and $3 per piece for firing.

Supply fee includes one bag of clay (25 pounds), all glazing materials, and use of studio tools.

Register Now!

Make a Ceramic Mask! (2 Classes)
2023-06-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Register Now!

In the first class you will learn how to create intricate patterns on clay by using all kinds of found objects. You will use these impressions to create a mask, which can be as realistic or as abstract as you like! The clay will then go into a bisque firing.

In the second class you will glaze your creation, using the color to highlight the patterns you made in the first class. After the second firing, you’ll be able to pick up your beautiful mask, which you will be able to hang proudly on your wall.

This class is suitable for beginners and up, and children from 11-15 can attend with an attending adult.

Class one: Monday, June 12, 6:30PM to 8:30PMClass two: Monday, June 26, 6:30PM to 7:30PM

$52 for classes SALE! $36! $11 for supplies (clay, glazes)$3 firing fee per piece

This class is taught by Charlie Putnam, a retired art teacher who taught for 29 years in a K-12 public school and taught at Mankato State as an adjunct instructor for 28 years. He’s currently active and pursuing his own interests in art including painting, printmaking and ceramics. Check out his work at charlieputnam.com!

Make sure you wear something to class that can get messy!

Register now!

Indoor Fountain Course (3 Classes)
2023-06-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
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Water plays an important part in our lives. Bringing bubbling, flowing water into our living spaces helps bring a natural feeling back to our lives and may help reduce stress. Nothing compares to the feeling you’ll get from creating your own fountain with the help of instructor Marie Marvin. Select the shapes and materials that make the sculpture your own and even add something of importance to you, like a crystal, figurine, or shell to give it a special meaning. Please bring any items you may want to incorporate on the first day of class so that we can prepare.

This course occurs:

Saturday, June 24th 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Sunday, June 25th 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Saturday, July 15th 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

All three classes must be attended to complete this course. Building a fountain can be as simple as putting stones and a small pump into a container with water, or it can be as elaborate as a sculpture. The choice is yours! Instructor Marie Marvin will help you manifest your idea into something beautiful to enjoy for many years to come.

Spend this class building an indoor fountain with us and go home with a one of a kind creation!

Register now!

Printing Ceramic Scenes and Patterns (2 Classes)
2023-07-11 18:30 - 20:30 | Comradery Pottery, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Register Now!

In the first class you will learn how to create intricate patterns and scenes on clay by using all kinds of found objects, and then taking your beautifully stamped clay and turning it into either a plate or a wall hanging. Then the clay will be bisque fired.

In the second class you will glaze your creations, using the color to highlight the patterns you made in the first class. After the second firing, you’ll be able to pick up your gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces!

This class is suitable for beginners and up, and children from 11-15 can attend with an attending adult.

Class one: Tuesday, July 11, 6:30PM to 8:30PMClass two: Tuesday, July 25, 6:30PM to 7:30PM

$57 for classes$11 for supplies (clay, glazes)$3 firing fee per piece

This class is taught by Charlie Putnam, a retired art teacher who taught for 29 years in a K-12 public school and taught at Mankato State as an adjunct instructor for 28 years. He’s currently active and pursuing his own interests in art including painting, printmaking and ceramics. Check out his work at charlieputnam.com!

Make sure you wear something that can get messy!

Register Now!

Zumbrota Literary Society First Birthday Party!
2023-07-15 10:00 - 19:00 | Zumbrota Literary Society, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, Minnesota, 55992, United States
Join us to celebrate one year of the Zumbrota Literary Society! We’re going to have a massive outdoor $1 book sale, free confetti cookies and lemonade, and an overall fantastic time.

We’ll also be open till 7:00PM instead of 5:00PM so we can party on!

Stephen King Documentary!
2023-08-14 12:00 - 21:00 | Pop’s Art Theater, 619 6th Ave NW, Rochester, Minnesota, 55901, United States
Pop’s Art Theater (right next to Garden Party Books) is playing the new documentary Stephen King on Screen! It’s about the man himself and the film adaptations of his work.

It’s one day only, Monday, August 14. Garden Party will be open till 5:30PM so you can pop in before the 5:30 showing!

SHOWTIMES: 12:15pm, 2pm, 3:45pm, 5:30pm, 7:15pm, 9:00pm

Tickets and more at popsarttheater.com. Also give them a follow on social media, they’re awesome!
