“Class diversity is a Villages Folk School trademark”

    

     Last weekend was one of our first classes in creative writing. The instructor, Adam Whitlatch, is a published author living in rural Bonaparte with his wife, Jessica, and their two sons. He has written two novels and is currently working on a third that takes place within the Villages of Van Buren County. Students in his class this past weekend at the historic Robert Meek Home owned by Ken & Sue Burns would learn the basics of writing short stories and poetry with an emphasis on preparing work for publication. The class lasted two days with a homework assignment of a flash fiction short story using the Six Sentences format and at least one poem. The second day was spent proofreading, editing and critiquing each story and poem as a group.

     We are always excited when new instructors join our school bringing with them a new subject that adds to the diversity of our program. Adam is one of those instructors and we are pleased to have him as a part of our folk school artists. Many people like to write but often lack the skills required at the level of publication. Classes such as this one held last weekend will give you a better understanding of the process and help you on your way to becoming a published author. If being published is not your goal then simply learning skills that will improve your writing make classes such as this so worthwhile.

     If you have the desire to learn a new art form or skill and just haven’t taken the time to do so then you need to check out the Villages Folk School. With classes covering folk, traditional and fine arts you are sure to find something made just for you. Don’t take my word for it! Go to www.villagesfolkschool.com and see what everybody is talking about:

     Classes that bring the arts to life here in the Villages of Van Buren County and start you on the road to your very own adventure as an artist. Our classes are all about you and your desire to learn. The talented instructors spend their day with you assuring you of a quality experience that instills you with the knowledge required to propel you on your way to being a successful artist. However you choose to measure this experience, we are certain that you will agree with us when we say, “It is a unique and awe-inspiring time here at the Villages Folk School!”

     Call our school at 319-592-3700 and find out how you can become involved with the folk school. Whether it is registering for one of our coming classes or making a donation to help support our folk school you will find all the answers to your questions. The form for registration is also available on our website and can be printed, filled out and mailed to our office with your registration fee. Our address is Villages Folk School, PO Box 51, Bonaparte, Iowa 52620. We are here to answer all your questions and invite you to stop in to our office located in the Opera House the next time you are in Bonaparte.

     For those of you without internet access the following is a list of our upcoming classes:

Raku Pottery     Sept 4

Bonaparte Pottery Experience     Sept 4-5

Chair Caning with Flat Reed Splits     Sept 18

Sculpture Portrait in Three     Sept 18-19
Dimension

Pulp Play (Paper Making) & Journal     Sept 23-24
Making

Beginning Hammered Dulcimer     Sept 25

Beginning Blacksmithing     Sept 25-26

     Join us at the Villages Folk School in picturesque Van Buren County, Iowa for an experience of a lifetime. Make the next right choice and register for one of our many classes. We look forward to seeing you here at the Villages Folk School.

“Landscape Painting and Buttons and Bows”

 

     Well, this past weekend was all about painting the landscape and buttons and bows. No, not the song from 1948 sung by Dinah Shore but the card making class instructed by Debra Herrick from Fort Madison. Four students took part in the class held at the Meek Mansion in Bonaparte and they all seemed to enjoy the art of taking a common, ordinary card and by adding embellishments turning it into a true work of art anyone would be pleased to receive. Yes, you guessed it, some of the tricks included adding “buttons and bows” to the cards. I visited the class early on and came back later to see what they had accomplished. The fun is in the making, but it is always exciting to see the end product and the smiles on the students’ faces as they complete their works of art. It never ceases to amaze me how our teachers can turn ordinary things, such as buttons and bows, into beautiful works of art. Debra was having a great time with the class and the students were all enjoying themselves.



     After my second visit to the class I headed for Keosauqua to find John Preston and his class set-up on a hill overlooking the Des Moines River valley. They were painting the landscape and John was explaining the technique of using different colors to achieve the varying layers of the scene. I went to work snapping pictures as they talked and worked with the different brushes, brush strokes and shades of color. It is quickly obvious that going to the store and purchasing all the paints, palettes, brushes and easels does not make you an artist. Well, maybe an artist, but not an accomplished artist. While John was offering suggestions for the student I stepped over to look at the painting on his easel. I looked at the valley, at his painting, and back at the scenery. Painting on paper is one thing, but to make it look so real and true to life is a talent that comes from years and years of study and a true gift that captures the moment. John has such a gift and to watch him share it with passion and excitement is a wonderful thing to behold. I can share all of this with you but until you witness it for yourself the true beauty of his painting can’t be totally understood. If you like to paint but sometimes wish you could be more successful at capturing the subject then taking a class with one of our folk school artists is just for you.

     Go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com to see the class descriptions and the dates they are being held. Registration is easy! You may register by printing the form from the website, filling it out and mailing it with your registration fee to the Villages Folk School, PO Box 51, Bonaparte, IA 52620 or by simply calling Gloria at the folk school office at 319-592-3700. We invite you to come enjoy one of our many classes and see why we are so excited about the future of the Villages Folk School.

     As we continue to increase our class offerings and our instructors we are aware of the tremendous need to have partners who can capture the vision with us and become a part of this great endeavor. You will see on our web page an opportunity that allows you to do just that! Donations to the school may be made in several levels with an easy Pay Pal button found on the site. If you aren’t comfortable making payments online, just send your donation in the form of a check. We thank you for considering a donation to the Villages Folk School and invite you to check out one of our many classes.

     Coming up in August and September are the following classes: Creative Writing—Intro to Publishing (Aug 28-29), Raku Pottery (Sept 4), Bonaparte Pottery Experience (Sept 4-5), Chair Caning with Flat Reed Splits (Sept 18), Sculpture Portrait in Three Dimension (Sept 18-19), Pulp Play (Paper) & Journal Making (Sept 23-24), Beginning Blacksmithing (Sept 25-26), Beginning Hammered Dulcimer (Sept 25).

     Don’t let the year pass you by without experiencing a class at the Villages Folk School. The only person who can help you understand the joy of living the arts here at the folk school is YOU! Won’t you join us for some fun?

“Living the Arts in Van Buren County, Iowa (It’s a good life!)”

 
     Making the move from Washington State was the start of a new chapter in my life. This new chapter opened in the beautiful Des Moines River valley where the pace is much slower, but I have found that living the arts brings a level of excitement and newfound enthusiasm that provides a momentum perhaps even more driven than the fast paced Pacific Northwest. Life is good and experiencing it through the eyes and lives of people I’ve come to know and admire brings a deep satisfaction.

     One has but to get in the car, go for a walk, ride the bike and there is always someone along the way of that journey who offers a moment for you to stop and enjoy a great conversation. It may be about the weather, perhaps something going on in their life, or a time for you to share a bit of yourself and what’s up in your life. Life here in the Villages of Van Buren County, Iowa is good and that is a direct result of not only the people here but the splendor of the landscape. It is apparent to me that this is why so many artists have chosen to make this their home. Maybe what started out as a dream soon became a reality for them as they were inspired by their surroundings and soon found their love for the arts a total way of life for them. However the process evolved it certainly has been influenced by this picturesque river valley and the people who live here.

     It has been my privilege to work with many of the artists here at the Villages Folk School and to watch them as they not only create something beautiful but take the time to share their skills with the many students who come to their class. This is something you must experience for yourself. Go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com and browse through the number of classes being offered. Familiarize yourself with the class descriptions as well as the artist who teaches them. Find something that you are interested in and register for what I promise will be a life changing experience. If you are not comfortable with the computer information just call our folk school office at 319-592-3700 and ask Gloria for the information you desire. It is that simple and I know you will not be sorry you committed yourself to one of our classes.

     Many of us are busy now that the Iowa State Fair is in full swing, but there are still classes coming up in which you may participate. On Saturday, August 21 is the Buttons and Bows Card Making class and Painting the Landscape. The Bonaparte Pottery Experience is August 21-22. August 28-29 is the Creative Writing-Intro to Publishing class. September 4 is Raku Pottery and September 4-5 is the Bonaparte Pottery Experience. Chair Caning with Flat Reed Splits is September 18 and Sculpture Portrait in Three Dimension is September 18-19. Pulp Play (Paper) & Journal Making is September 23-24; Beginning Blacksmithing is September 25-26; Beginning Hammered Dulcimer is September 25.

     Come join the fun at the Villages Folk School and experience ‘living the arts’ with our many talented artist instructors here in the Villages of Van Buren County and see why it’s a good life.

"It's Fair season and things are heatin' up"

  
     As the Iowa State Fair approaches people all over the state are making preparations for the big event. Here in the Villages of Van Buren County, Stacey and Tavia are putting the finishing touches on the media for the Villages booth at the Varied Industries building in Des Moines. The booth will be manned by several volunteers from our county and the Villages Folk School board is offering its support to that cause. The visibility this offers for Van Buren County draws many visitors throughout the year and brings much needed income to our local businesses. The Villages Folk School is proud to work together with the Villages of Van Buren in this ongoing effort to bring tourism dollars to our county while striving to preserve our precious quality of life. It is, after all, the life here that draws people in and leaves them with a lingering sense of peacefulness and satisfaction. We should never take it for granted but cherish every day the joy of living in the Villages of Van Buren county Iowa.

     The folk school is always looking for new artist instructors. If you have an art form that you would like to share with others please contact us here at the Villages Folk School office by calling 319-592-3700. For more information about the class content and schedules we currently offer go to www.villagesfolkschool.com.

     As we continue to build our folk school here in Van Buren County we recognize the need to have the support of those who make this place their home.

     The Villages Folk School, with its campus spread throughout the valley like splotches of paint on an artist’s palette, offers others a chance to capture ~ if only for a brief moment in time ~ the joy of experiencing the arts in this way. The Villages Folk School is a 501 (c)(3) organization and is currently seeking sponsors. More than 25 instructors teach 46 classes. Each of our villages cooperates with the Folk School in providing accommodations for the classes. Students have traveled from Iowa's metropolitan areas, as well as from Illinois, Missouri and Alabama. Recent advertising campaigns have generated requests for information from 7 states. The following are the levels of sponsorship that are available and the benefits they offer to you the sponsor:

Levels of Sponsorship and Benefits

Patron of the Arts ~ $5,000

Wine & Cheese Reception and a unique piece of art

Master ~ $2,500

Unique piece of art

Journeyman ~ $1,500

Four $25 Villages Folk School gift certificates and tote bag

Craftsman ~ $1,000

Two $25 Villages Folk School gift certificates and tote bag

Apprentice ~ $500

$25 Villages Folk School gift certificate, tote bag and mug

Student ~ $100

Certificate of Appreciation, tote bag and mug

Novice ~ $50

Certificate of Appreciation and mug

     If you would like to partner with us, simply go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com, click on the “Become a Sponsor” link, click the “Donate” button to the right and enter the desired amount. You may also send a check with your sponsorship category amount to Villages Folk School, PO Box 51, Bonaparte, Iowa 52620 or come in to our office in the Opera House at Bonaparte. We encourage you to become a part of this great endeavor and we thank you for your willingness to participate as we all “Live the Arts” here in Van Buren County.

"A 'Clean Sweep' weekend for the Villages Folk School"

     The drive up the Des Moines River valley is always a peaceful one filled with beautiful scenery. Today I would set off for J40 and Bloom & Bark; the home of Tim and Kim Blair. This was the weekend for the J40 Farm Crawl which included two of the artist instructors from the folk school. George and Pat Crawford were demonstrating the art of making brooms. I watched as they bundled the straw, bound it tightly and then cut it to the desired length.


Once that was accomplished the straw was clamped in an antique wooden apparatus that held everything in place while George carefully stitched it together. This was then bound to the desired handle and the broom was ready for its intended purpose. The process was very interesting and the end result was a broom that would make a clean sweep of whatever it was applied to.

     Chris Campbell and Karen Bevard were telling about the history of the Native Americans on the plains. There tent included many handmade leather and bead work items that were available for sale. Many of the items were made by Chris and Karen who give classes in both leather and bead work.

     In the village of Bentonsport the Iron and Lace blacksmith shop was fired-up and heating some iron for the forge welding class. The purpose of this class was to teach the students how to weld two pieces of iron together by using the forge and the anvil. A very careful balance was needed both in the temperature of the iron and the hammering process on the anvil. I watched as Bill Printy and Mark Heisdorffer instructed the students and demonstrated each process and technique.

Someday I would like to take that class. It is always a thrill to watch our artists at work. Their passion for the art they teach is always evident and never fails to be a catalyst for an exciting class.

      Across the county in Stockport Carolyn Edwards was teaching the art of painting “barn quilts”. One of her students from Fairfield was thrilled with the class and he commented on how well the information was shared. He found her enthusiasm to be infectious and a dynamic that made the class very exciting. He and his wife are planning to register for some other classes here at the folk school. We are always encouraged when we hear these reports from our students. It is the fuel that keeps us going. Come join in and enjoy the fun at the folk school. There is certainly a class that will grab your attention and fulfill a desire that you have held onto for years. Take that first step and register today. We look forward to getting to know you and your family.

     The Villages Folk School board continues to reach out to Van Buren County and to the surrounding counties and states with the hope that our school will offer people a chance to experience the beauty of our county and the peace and tranquility of our lifestyle. We were thrilled to have Van Buren County selected as an Iowa Great Place and now have been successful in our first round of grant monies for our county. We have received $50,000 for the Cantril ADA cabin project and $44,836 for the Morris Park project in Stockport. We continue to work to improve our county and to bring revenues from outside that will help to boost our struggling economy. We invite you to help us as we continue to build the folk school into a premier school in the Midwest. Our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com will give you more information about our school and our classes. We encourage you to register for our many classes and also to be a part of our endeavor by becoming a Villages Folk School Donor. The information is provided for you on the website. Call us today at 319-592-3700.