Do I need prior art or sewing experience to join?

No—this class is designed for beginners and returning students; instructors demonstrate basic stitching and collage methods.

Are supplies included in the $82 fee?

Yes, core supplies are provided for the session; students may bring personal items to incorporate into their journals.

Can Medicaid funds be used to pay for the class?

The program notes that students with Medicaid may be able to use part of their Community Living Support budget; contact program staff for specifics.

What is the age range for participants?

Artshop welcomes all ages and abilities; if you have questions about suitability for a specific participant, please preregister and ask staff.

What happens if classes are canceled for weather?

Classes are canceled if Midland Public Schools close for the day; registrants are notified and sessions may be rescheduled or refunded per program policy.

Will I finish a complete journal in six sessions?

Many students complete a mini-journal or a significant portion of a larger book; the curriculum is structured to produce tangible progress each week.

Make Your Own Junk Journal: Spring/Summer Artshop Sessions in Midland

At Artshop's Artshop Junk Journal: Spring/Summer 2026 Session 1, you trade quick fixes for a slow, hands-on afternoon of collage, stitch and storytelling in Midland, Michigan. The class meets at 5501 Jefferson Ave, Midland, MI 48640, USA, a compact community arts studio that hosts an inclusive mix of makers and curious first-timers. Over six Tuesday afternoons (May 5–June 9), instructor Allise Noble guides small groups through building a personal junk journal using paint, glue, thread, found papers and photographs. Each one-hour session focuses on techniques—layered collage, simple hand-stitching, mixed-media page construction and writing prompts—that add structure and narrative to a loose assemblage of keepsakes. The program supplies everything you need; students are encouraged to bring photos, ticket stubs, fabric swatches and other meaningful bits to fold into the book. What makes this class special is its accessibility and community focus. Artshop explicitly welcomes participants of all ages and abilities, and the program notes that students with Medicaid may be able to use Community Living Support funds. With a maximum group size of 12, the atmosphere stays personal: instructors demonstrate methods on a communal table while participants shape individual pages, share materials and trade layout ideas. The studio space emphasizes tactile materials—textured papers, sewing thread, bookboard—and the pace rewards collage thinking rather than perfectionist craft. Practical details matter: sessions are prepaid at $82 for the block, meet from 2:45–3:45 pm and may be canceled if Midland Public Schools close for weather. The single-hour class length works well for late afternoons; repeated sessions let you develop a cohesive journal across multiple weeks. This makes the offering both an entry point for makers who want structure and a creative retreat for those who value process over product. Across the six-week block you'll practice basic book-binding moves—creating signatures, stitching a spine, and building a cover—along with surface techniques like acrylic washes, stamping and text-based prompts that help you turn images into narrative. Whether you're repairing old ephemera or inventing brand-new pages, the course emphasizes longevity: archival papers, secure stitching and adhesive choices that keep keepsakes intact. Expect to leave with a finished mini-book or a half-complete journal ready to finish at home, plus a list of follow-up exercises to keep pages growing. For visitors to Midland, the course is an easy indoor choice when weather makes outdoor plans uncertain, and it complements the town's broader arts calendar. Whether you're storing family ephemera, experimenting with mixed media, or simply seeking a social creative push, the Junk Journal session is a practical, low-barrier way to turn fragments into a durable, handmade book. Bring a few personal mementos, an open mind, and leave with a journal that holds both material memory and a record of new techniques.