The Wharf at Ranier sign on the building The Wharf

Ranier, Minnesota • Rainy Lake

The Wharf Folk School & Event Center

Where old world moxie meets contemporary craftsmanship through heritage-forward skill building and community advancement.

Explore Classes Support the Vision

About The Wharf

Community vitality through tourism and skill-building.

Mission: Offering VITAL instruction, training, and apprenticeships to under-supported rural populations — and heritage-forward classes, events, and excursions — towards sustainable tourism and community advancement.

Vision: Revitalization of the Rainy Lake Port of Ranier through heritage, skill, coalition-building, and local environmental and agricultural stewardship.

The Wharf, at Rainy Lake Inn & Tara's Wharf in Ranier, is imagined as a lakefront indoor and outdoor commercial, educational, and gathering space in the historic Port of Ranier on Rainy Lake.

Our North Star

Vital instruction. Heritage-forward learning. Sustainable tourism. Community advancement.

The Wharf at Ranier front entrance
A future gathering place for learning, making, and community connection.

Place-Based Learning

Rooted in Rainy Lake, built for the future.

Ranier is a historically vital border town near Voyageurs National Park and the Quetico-Superior boundary waters. The Wharf project builds on the area’s history, natural beauty, community pride, and need for new models of rural vitality.

Classes

Discover your craft.

Heritage Arts & Crafts

Rug punching, lino-cut printing, plein air painting, fiber arts, baking, writing, and seasonal folk traditions.

Maker & Workforce Labs

Carpentry, 3D printing, technology, entrepreneurship, trades exposure, and hands-on learning labs.

Outdoor & Community Skills

Gardening, foraging, paddle craft, tackle building, food traditions, and intergenerational skill-sharing.

Get Involved

Interested in learning or teaching at The Wharf?

We are gathering ideas from future students, instructors, artists, makers, tradespeople, and community members as we build the first season of classes and workshops.

For Students

Tell us what classes, skills, workshops, and experiences you would love to see at The Wharf Folk School.

Student Interest Form

For Instructors

Share your ideas for classes, workshops, demonstrations, field trips, or hands-on learning experiences you could lead.

Instructor Interest Form

Calendar

Events and workshops

The crew is busy adding more dates and instructors to the calendar. Children’s summer workshop sign-ups are now open, and more events will be added soon.

Register for Summer Workshops

Summer 2026

  • May Ice Cream Shop season begins
  • June Opening workshops and community gathering
  • July Markets, music, and maker events
  • August 10–14 Children’s mural-making workshop
  • August 24–28 Children’s theatre workshop
  • August 28 Shakespeare in the Park, 7:00 PM
  • Labor Day End-of-season celebration

The Place

A few early images

Rainy Lake Inn and Suites at Tara’s Wharf exterior sign The Wharf at Ranier front entrance and round sign The Wharf lake view The Wharf

Contact Us

Join the early circle.

We are gathering partners, instructors, volunteers, funders, artists, tradespeople, and community champions.

Staff at the Wharf