“It’s Labor Day weekend and pottery classes are on the agenda”

     I awoke Saturday, grabbed some breakfast and my go cup of coffee and set my compass for Bentonsport and Betty Printy’s Raku pottery class. This class is one of the very popular classes in pottery because the students pick their project and take it from start to finish in one day. Most pottery classes require a much longer wait for the finished piece of art. This is because of the drying times required before the clay can be fired, then the glaze is added and another trip to the kiln. The beauty of the Raku process is that the bisque fired pieces are complete and ready to be glazed and fired. Raku leaves each student with a unique piece because the time in the kiln produces a different result each time. Students are always surprised and amazed at the beautiful colors and crazing effects on their projects. However, I am convinced that the most excited one of all is the instructor, Betty Printy. After all her years of being a potter she is still like “a child on Christmas morning” when the pieces are taken from the kiln and cleaned to reveal their beauty. This is truly what we mean when we say “living the arts” here at the Villages Folk School. The artists you encounter in your classes are taking you by the hand and leading you into their art form so that you can capture that passion while acquiring the skills it requires to achieve that end result.

     Learning a skill in the arts is always a chance for you to recapture the child within you and enjoy something that opens the door to a creative lifestyle that will enhance every aspect of your life. Join us here at the Villages Folk School and start the experience anew with one of our gifted artists. Now is the time for you to rediscover the creative arts!

     If you have access to the internet you can find out all about our classes and times on our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com or call our office at 319-592-3700. We look forward to seeing you at one of our classes.

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

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



     We are always looking for artists to join our folk school instructors. If you are interested, give us a call and set an appointment to further discuss your many opportunities with the Villages Folk School. If you aren’t interested in teaching but would like to help with your financial support towards the growth of the school we invite you to become a Villages Folk School donor. Information is available on our website or you may call the folk school office at 319-592-3700.

We are growing and are excited about what this means for Van Buren County.