Tofte Lake Center at Norm's Fish Camp

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Tofte Lake Center at Norm's Fish Camp

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TLC provides residencies for artists who crave dedicated time to work on their projects.

Tofte Lake Center was created in 2007 to help artists expand and deepen their creative potential through collaboration with creators and thinkers in other fields. Located on the shores of a beautifully secluded lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Minnesota, Tofte Lake Center’s protected natural environment focuses residents’ time around their creative work
and interaction with the physical surroundings. All work takes place in a supportive community offering
daily opportunities for interaction, stimulation and reflection. Our programs and activities stem from the inherent belief that
individual creativity is the essential tool in our evolution as a culture.

10/16/2026

In this season of giving, your gift to TLC helps create opportunities for other artists to have a TLC experience like Rachel. Your gift, of any amount, makes a huge impact! Thank you fo

To donate, go to: https://www.toftelake.org/donate

10/13/2026

We have $36,800 to reach our 2026 fundraising goal! In this product-driven world where measurable outcomes are valued over the artistic process that gives birth to results, at TLC, process lives at the center of what we do. We continue to need your help to ensure that responsive, timely programming is available to our artists. Your gift, of any amount, makes a huge impact. Thank you for being a part of our essential work. We are so grateful for your support!

Give a gift today! https://www.toftelake.org/donate

10/06/2026

Like the busy woods around us, we are closing out our summer season and preparing camp for its winter rest. As we work to tuck in the cabins and snuggle up the studios we’re soaking in nature's glorious finale.

Thank you all for supporting TLC's 18th season! At the core of Tofte Lake Center is its community, and we couldn't have done it without you. We're counting the days until our new crop of artists return next spring!

10/01/2026

We spent a beautiful fall afternoon with Ely Community Resource!

We had a fabulous time exploring campus and creating decorative maps, marveling at the minnows, the crunch of leaves, and the season’s many colors. We can’t wait to play together again—please come back soon!

09/30/2026

Produced and coordinated by Bourgoin Productions, and sponsored by Friends of the Boundary Waters and the Dorothy Molter Museum, TLC is proud to co-present the solo performance, The Root B**r Lady.

Writer and performer Kim Schultz learned about Dorothy's story while in residence at TLC. The Root B**r Lady tells story of the indomitable Dorothy Molter, the last legal non-indigenous resident of the Boundary Waters. Join us at the theater for this dramatic, funny and nostalgic female-driven solo performance.

Stick around after the performance for a special Q&A to learn more about the making of The Root B**r Lady and the woman who inspired it.

Tickets $15
Purchase tickets at https://secure.everyaction.com/w2O1yvsvnkyQjHZiIC91mg2

09/24/2026

What an action-packed week with the Filmmaker’s Residency!

The resident artists gave TLC two thumbs up as they hiked, paddled, rested, and created during a beautiful week on Tofte Lake. Community and conversation were highlights during saunas and cold plunges, in the Roadhouse and on the water. And don’t forget about the Dock O’clocks!

The artists left the forest for the city as they converged on the Ely State Theater for a night of film shorts, community conversation, and lots and lots of popcorn. We are so thankful to our partnership with and the Ely State Theater for making a mini-film fest possible in September!

The end of each residency is always bittersweet, but the last day of the last residency of the season is especially poignant. As we say good-by to , , , , and , (and you too, Luther!) we pause to remember and feel grateful for all the artists we hosted this season. The way you all show up in the world makes what we do at TLC worthwhile and valuable.

That’s a wrap!

09/22/2026

Join us as we woot and toot Team Tofte member Gracie Autumn!

Gracie's first novel, "The Language of the Trees"has just been published! This flash fantasy has elements of found family, adventure, and a bit of slow-burn romance. It is the first book in a series with the second installation coming soon. You canfind it as an ebook or as a paperback (for a short time, it is free with Kindle Unlimited) on Amazon.

Much of Gracie’s inspiration for her stories comes from her deep connection to nature and her love for travel. When she’s not writing, she can be found spending time outdoors or binge-watching movies in her little cabin.

Join us in congratulating Gracie on this amazing accomplishment!

09/18/2026

Let's give a warm TLC welcome to the Filmmaker's Artist Residency!

Five filmmakers from the 2026 Ely Film Festival were selected (from over 80 films!) for a week long residency at Tofte Lake Center. Fresh from locations all over the world, we hope , , , and will have a residency filled with play, creative focus, and rest in nature.

Missed the Ely Film Festival? There's a special opportunity to meet the artists and view their films! TLC is partnering with the Ely Film Festival to bring you the Filmmaker Showcase, an evening of short films, conversation and connection. Join us on September 22nd from 7PM to 9PM at the State Theater to view film shorts. There will be a Q & A with the artists after the films.

09/16/2026

Join us for a fantastic film filled night on Tuesday September 22nd!

If you missed them the first time, five extraordinary filmmakers from the Ely Film Festival will be back in Ely! Join us for an evening of short films, conversation and connection as we celebrate Maggie Lemere, Claudi Tatinge Nascimento, Marielle Olentine, Kieran Thompson, and Loren Waters!

It will be a night you won't forget and its free!

09/15/2026

What a fabulous fun filled week with the Art of Fire Residency!

Artists fired away questions all week during classroom days and field trips, while experts ignited new curiosities and introduced us to fire dependent ecosystems. All that and still time to write, paint, photograh, compose and relax next to beautiful Tofte Lake (and don't forget biking and hiking!).

Thanks to our experts, Thea Sheldon, Coordinator Extraordinaire, Gloria Erickson, St. Louis County Firewise Coordinator (retired), Lane Johnson, UMD Cloquet Forestry Center, Moira (Miri) Villiard, Multi-disciplinary Artist and Educator-Activist, and Jeb Backe and Travis Durkin with the Superior National Forest. All of you made this an exceptional (and fun!) learning environment.

We might be saying good-by to .poems, , .marget, , and (and Barley!), but we can't wait to see what lights their fire next!

Address

2209 Fernberg Road
Ely, MN
55731

Telephone

(218) 365-7769

Website

http://www.toftelake.org/

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