News Release: 11/20/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

• Photo attached: Santa Day

MINERAL POINT, Wis.—The Santa Day tradition continues at Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts. On Saturday, December 6, visit the Shake Rag Alley campus for photos with Santa, holiday crafts, gingerbread cottage-making, and sweet treats.

Santa takes a break from toymaking to visit the Cabinet Shop for photos from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. In the Lind Pavilion, families will have the opportunity to create gingerbread cottages and holiday crafts from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Advanced registration is recommended online or by phone for photos and crafts: photos with Santa are $12 each, and a duo of holiday crafts and gingerbread cottages are $8 each. 

This year’s crafts include an adorable ornament made with a wood cookie, and Santa binoculars perfect for sleigh-watching in the night sky. Santa will be waiting to decorate a gingerbread cottage with his visitors, a lovely moment for a photo. Families love Santa Day, but everyone is welcome to join in the fun. Decorating gingerbread cottages is fun for kids and the young at heart.

Check-in will be at the Lind Pavilion, 411 Commerce St. After checking in, visitors are welcome to walk the Shake Rag Alley grounds, decorated for the holidays, and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. This year, we’re partnering with Pointer Pantry on Santa Day. Visitors can contribute cash donations to further their mission to ensure at-risk Mineral Point students do not go hungry on weekends and breaks. This beloved community tradition also supports our nonprofit arts organization. In addition to Santa, several elves come out to volunteer and make merry. Elf-volunteers welcome. For more information, visit ShakeRagAlley.org or call (608) 987-3292.

Scherbarth Residency Applications Open Through the End of November

The Scherbarth Residency Program provides lodging and studio space to artists and makers in the visual, performing, and literary arts to participate in the creative community at Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, and the rural community of Mineral Point, Wisconsin. While living on our unique campus of historic and reproduction buildings, Scherbarth residents will be able to contribute in meaningful ways to the mission of Shake Rag Alley and participate in the creative ecosystem of the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin. Through the generosity of Jim Scherbarth, an award-winning visual artist who taught oil and cold wax workshops at Shake Rag Alley in 2013-19. artists and makers will have access to the time and space needed to work and create, as well as to the nurturing environment of Mineral Point, and opportunities to network with its resident artists. The application period will remain open through November 30. More information at https://shakeragalley.org/scherbarth-residency/

Alley Stage Reading Series Submissions Open December 1 - January 31, 2026

The Alley Stage Reading Series provides a space for Midwestern playwrights to develop their work, receive valuable feedback, and collaborate with regional actors. Going into its sixth year, this series remains an integral part of Shake Rag Alley’s mission to cultivate creativity in our rural community. Playwrights who are current residents of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota are invited to share their works-in-progress for a staged reading and talkback at our intimate outdoor amphitheater, Alley Stage. For the performance, Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts provides a venue (with rain space), facilitates casting, and holds a post-performance reception.For more details and to submit, visit https://shakeragalley.org/alley-stage/

Shake Rag Alley’s 2026 Catalog Goes Live January 7, 2026

Be sure to visit ShakeRagAlley.org on January 7 to book your workshops for 2026. The full catalog of adult workshops, including Metal & Heat, Fiber, Mixed Media, Painting & 2D, Heritage Craft, and Voice & Page will go live the morning of January 7. Rather than a midnight launch, this year will be a staggered category launch with all categories live by 10 a.m., and retreats (Jewelry Boot Camp, Writing Retreat, Woodlanders Gathering, Art Adventure, Rug Hooking Retreat) fully available by noon. 

For more information and Shake Rag Alley updates throughout the year, see the website, subscribe to twice-monthly e-newsletters and follow Shake Rag Alley on Facebook and Instagram. To request a catalog, call (608) 987-3292 or email info@shakeragalley.org.

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About Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts

An independent nonprofit school of arts and crafts founded in 2004 by local artists and community members, Shake Rag Alley’s 2.5-acre campus at 18 Shake Rag St. in Mineral Point (population 2,500) is a national destination for participants of adult workshops, a robust summer youth program and a host of annual special events. In addition, Shake Rag offers on-site lodging and custom facility rentals for meetings, events and celebrations. For additional information about Shake Rag Alley’s workshops and events, or to request a catalog and information about facility rentals and volunteer opportunities, see www.ShakeRagAlley.org or call (608) 987-3292.