Classes "Marching" on at the Villages Folk School

     The buzz around town is that the Villages Folk School classes are filling up fast and many people are enjoying themselves as they experience the thrill of creativity and a profound sense of accomplishment.

     Betty Printy’s studio in Bentonsport was full once again on Saturday morning as the Beginning Pottery class continued their work, a five session project. In the afternoon another group began their quest to make an Artisan Bread Proofing Basket. Before each student could begin their work the clay needed to be worked into a long rope. This used to be a tedious process of rolling the clay on a flat surface until it reached the diameter needed for the construction of the basket. Now, thanks to the ingenuity of Betty’s blacksmith husband, Bill, the clay is pressed through a die to form a long rope. Each student held their round wooden platters, called ‘bats’, under the die to catch the extruded clay for their proofing basket.

     Now the fun begins! I watched as Betty showed them the process. They worked round and round as the basket started to take shape. Each one was a different diameter and some were deeper than others. We even had a mother and daughter enjoying this class together. As students ran out of clay, Bill was summoned to the press. Some of the students were now taking turns helping as the clay was pushed through the dies. I even had my chance to take a break from picture taking and lend a little muscle, “very little”, to the process. It was a fun afternoon for all.

    

     I hope that everyone in the villages of Van Buren County will eventually have an opportunity to experience one or more classes in the folk school. We are seeing more and more people from outside the county coming to classes and are thrilled at the level of excitement each one shares about their class and the instructors.  This is the joy of ‘living the arts’ and we are so pleased to be a part of their journey.

The next two weeks in March have more to offer. The following is a list of classes scheduled for March 20th, 26th, & 27th.

March 20th:
Basic Native American Bead Craft at Waterfront Place in Bonaparte
Basic Native American Leather Craft at Waterfront Place in Bonaparte
Be a Good Egg (with Natural Dyes) “Fun for the whole family!”
Scrimshaw for Flatlanders


March 26th:
A Twist in Time Spinning I at Addie Mae Fudge in Bonaparte


March 27th:
A Twist in Time Spinning II at Addie Mae Fudge in Bonaparte
Needle Felting at Addie Mae Fudge
Beginning Knitting at Addie Mae Fudge
Artisan Bread Making Made Easy
Primitive Sign Making at Waterfront Place
Chair Caning with Fiber Rush Weave at the Bonaparte Pottery

     Come join one of our instructors for a fun time enjoying the arts. To register for a class, call our office Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. at 319-592-3700. Or go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com, print and fill out the registration form, and send it with a check to our Villages Folk School office at P.O. Box 51, Bonaparte, Iowa 52620. 

     Please contact our office for any questions you might have or suggestions for classes you would like to see in the future.

STEP BACK IN TIME / JOIN ONE OF OUR ARTISTS FOR A WEEKEND CLASS AND EXPERIENCE "Living The Arts" IN THE VILLAGES OF VAN BUREN COUNTY IOWA