"Summer is here at the Villages Folk School"

  This past weekend the village of Birmingham celebrated with vendors, pedal pulls, and artists in the park. Dorothy Gilbert a member of the Villages Folk School board from Stockport and John Preston one of the folk school artists spent the day sharing the folk school with visitors at Birmingham. John is a gifted artist who loves to paint the landscape. When I arrived at the park I noticed John sitting at his easel painting the gazebo with the log house in the background. If only I could capture a picture as easily as he does. Years of training and experience have certainly paid off for John and we are proud to have him as an instructor here at the Villages Folk School.

     While John painted I had a moment to visit with folks who had come for the day. I noticed that two young boys had stopped to watch John as he painted. Soon one of the boys asked him if he could paint his picture. Without hesitation John walked to his stack of supplies, sorted through to find just the right canvas and walked back to his easel to begin a picture of the young man. I watched as John sketched lightly with his pencil and then began to mix and apply the watercolors to his portrait; Authentic even down to the black smudges above his left eye. The boy stood very still with a smile on his face as he anticipated the painting John so carefully prepared.

Soon the work was complete and you should have seen the look on his face as John handed him the painting. With a look of awe he carefully studied the portrait and then walked away showing his treasure to everyone he passed. What a great moment! It is this willingness to give back to others that makes our Villages Folk School so special. I have seen this time and time again and heard it from our instructors as they teach their classes. At some point in time someone took the time to share the gift of the creative arts with them and started them on their love affair with the arts. It is the desire and the ability to give back to their students that makes living the arts such a wonderful experience here at the Villages Folk School.

     We are constantly seeking other artists who would like to share their love of the arts with students at the folk school. Please contact our office at 319-592-3700 for more information. Gloria is in the office Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. Our office is located at the Opera House in Bonaparte. Come in anytime to register for a class, get information about becoming an instructor or to find out more about the Villages Folk School.

     The following classes are coming in June and July and are open for registration:

Sculpture Portrait in Three Dimension, Raku Pottery, Chair Caning with Fiber Rush Weave, Buttons & Bows Card Making, Folk Hymnody & the Old Singing Schools of America, Bonaparte Pottery Experience, Melon Basket Weaving, Barn Quilt Painting, Blacksmithing and Still Life in Soft Pastels.

     The time is now for taking part in your first folk school class. This opportunity is one you will never forget. Come join us for a class or bring the entire family and enjoy something together. This will be an experience that stays with you the rest of your life. This is not just another class, but a chance to be creative and learn to apply that to every aspect of your life. Your children will learn to excel in everything they do if they have the opportunity to become creative. Don’t delay; register today!