"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.