"Raku Pottery weekend as Villages celebrate the 4th"

     Excitement is always high when Bill & Betty Printy roll out the “top hat kilns” for a day of Raku pottery at Iron and Lace. It is not just the students, because there is always that anticipated moment when the piece comes out of the kiln that gets everyone’s blood rushing. I think that is why this class is so much fun. The students are always upbeat as they begin the process. First they must choose, from a variety of bisque pieces, which one they would like to complete. Then there is the decision for what color glazing. Some get very creative and use multiple colors. Now once that is complete it is into the kiln for an 1800 degree bake. Once removed from the kiln the piece is placed in containers full of grass where they slowly cool. After removal from those containers each student must use water to clean the char and soot from the piece and slowly their masterpiece is revealed. It is always a moment everyone enjoys.

     July and August are featuring some great classes! Do you like to make your own greeting cards? Join us on July 10th for the Buttons and Bows Card Making class taught by Debra Herrick and discover some new techniques that make your cards very unique. Maybe you would like to write a poem or a short story but just don’t know how to begin. You will find the answer to that dilemma in the Creative Writing—Intro to Publishing class taught by Adam Whitlatch on July 17th and 18th.

     Here is one for all of you who like to sing. Join us at the historic Bentonsport Presbyterian Church on July 17th for Folk Hymnody & the Old Singing Schools of America. On this evening you will join in with Stephen Conte & Prairie Harmony to learn shape note singing; four part harmonies written in the eighteenth century. Come and bring your family for this great evening in song. If you don’t sing, just come enjoy listening to the music. It is a great time!

     Do you like history? Do you like pottery? Then come enjoy a weekend of history July 24th and 25th at the old Bonaparte Pottery as Marilyn Thomas displays molds that date back to the 1860’s when Parker and Hanback built their German pottery along the banks of the Des Moines River in Bonaparte, Iowa. Molds are still being unearthed at the site and you will have the opportunity to join in the dig. Who knows what you might discover?

     Maybe you would like to learn how to weave your very own basket. At the Villages Folk School you can do that too! On July 24th come join Therese Cummisky for a day of Melon Basket Weaving.

     I remember when I saw my first Barn Quilt. I was driving back to Iowa from Washington State and noticed these unique patterns that were painted on the ends of some of the barns. They were all different colors as well as patterns. It began to catch my eye every time I passed one. Well now I not only know what they are but I know how you can learn to paint them. The folk school’s class taught by Carolyn Edwards will be held on July 31st.

     Bill Printy and Mark Heisdorffer will be teaching the art of “forge welding” on July 31st. This is a day primarily spent on learning the basics of forge welding. The class will cover lap welds, “T” welds, “L” welds and corner welds.

     Learning to paint is a wonderful experience, especially when your instructor is Gin Lammert. She will be teaching “Still Life in Soft Pastels” on July 31st.

     In August another weekend is planned on the 21st and 22nd for you to take the Bonaparte Pottery Experience.

     Another treat for August is John Preston’s class “Painting the Landscape”. If you want to learn from one of the best, come spend a day with John.

     We round out the month of August with another Creative Writing—Intro to Publishing class held by Adam Whitlatch.

     Times and locations for all the classes are listed for you on our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com or you can call our office at 319-592-3700. Gloria will be glad to help you with any of your registrations or questions. If you are heading to any of the local fairs, we will have a booth at the Lee County Fair in Donnellson this week and the Van Buren County Fair in Keosauqua next week. Stop by our booth and discover more about the Villages Folk School. We look forward to seeing you.