Courses for ages 18+
Courses for ages 3-11.
School Age Care provides quality care in a fun, safe and caring environment.
Special events hosted by Community Education
Courses for ages 12+ and families.
Discover the ancient art of soap making in this fun and informative lecture and demonstration-style workshop where you and your teen (ages 12–16) will learn how bar soap is made using time-honored methods that date back over 5,000 years. You’ll get an inside look at the entire process—from ingredients to chemistry—and leave with a better understanding of how soap works and how it's crafted. Each student takes home three bars of handmade soap and a class manual to continue exploring at home. Come ready to learn, watch, and take home something clean and creative!
A $10/student materials fee is due at class; Instructor accepts cash or check.
After discovering soap making at his granddaughter’s school fundraiser, John Hanson quickly fell in love with the craft. What began as curiosity soon turned into years of experimenting with ingredients and techniques—and eventually, a thriving business.
Drawing on more than four decades of professional experience in grocery, sporting goods, and custom cabinetry, he built a soap business from the ground up. Since 2013, his soaps have been sold in co-ops and stores across the Twin Cities, with annual sales reaching 10,000–15,000 bars.
In addition to running his Longfellow Soap business, he has shared his passion for soap making with over 300 students since 2014. His classes are hands-on, encouraging, and designed to make the art of soap making approachable for beginners and inspiring for those looking to expand their skills.
John M Hanson
