This past weekend was not your average weekend of classes for the Villages Folk School. There was a little more excitement in the air as the Iowa Public Television camera crew rolled into town. The filming is in preparation for a special that will air in the Spring. First on the agenda was Gin Lammert’s “Still Life in Soft Pastels” class in the town hall at Cantril. I met the crew at the town hall and watched as they set up the set to interview Gin Lammert. The host of the program, Dan Kaercher, not only interviewed Gin but he took part in the class. The camera was rolling as she started her presentation and continued as each of the students moved to their respective easels and began to paint. Gin moved from student to student watching them as they worked on their masterpieces and giving her expert critic and helpful suggestions. It is a joy to watch as she seems to guide their projects down the right path with only her comments. I love this part of the folk school classes. Sometime you need to just stop in at one of our classes and watch as the artists work with their students. It is an awesome experience!
It was time for the crew to move on so they packed all the camera gear and off we went for Bentonsport and Bill Printy’s blacksmith shop at Iron and Lace. We arrived at the shop and found Bill working at the forge. After some introductions they set about their work. Several angles for pictures were discussed and the camera man set up for the shoot. Bill began cranking the bellows and the coals were soon engulfed in a searing flame.
The iron he had placed in the coals was glowing hot as Bill swiftly drew it from the forge and placed it on the anvil. With purposely directed blows he began to shape the tip. As the hammer came down upon the iron the sparks flew in every direction. You could see the iron cooling as the sparks grew less and less. Bill was keenly aware of the proper moment for the iron to be returned to the fire and once again the bellows were cranked to produce the proper flame. Bill makes this look so easy, but, after all, it has been his life for the past thirty some years. What was once a straight piece of iron from the mill was now a perfectly formed poker and Bill smiled with satisfaction as he displayed his finished work. Dan Kaercher moved over next to Bill and the camera man set his lens and microphone for the interview portion of the filming. Bill is always the humble blacksmith but he has truly turned the working of iron into a fine art. Working of iron has been passed down from generation to generation in Bill’s family but his passion for the arts has brought this trade to a new level that results in custom work seldom found in other shops. Classes are offered throughout the year in beginning blacksmithing, tool making, tong making and forge welding. Go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com for dates and times. If you have always wanted to learn the blacksmithing trade; what are you waiting for? This is an opportunity you won’t want to pass up. Working along side Bill Printy is his assistant Mark Heisdorffer and the two of them provide you with all the instructor / student time you will need to not only learn the proper methods but to turn out a quality piece of work.
We were soon out of time and packing up to leave for the next class shoot. This was Meg King’s beginning knitting class being held in the parlor of our 1865 Victorian brick in Bonaparte.
One of the students was a young lady and I could tell she was nervous with the camera so close but soon she was engrossed in her knitting and not paying attention to the camera. We soon had to move on so the camera gear was packed and off we went.
The last location for the coming broadcast was from the top of the hill where J40 starts down into Bentonsport. This overlook is so indicative of the beautiful rolling hills and scenic river valley of Van Buren County. The camera was set and Dan, with the valley as a back drop, began his rap up of the day’s events. We are thrilled to have such coverage of our beautiful Van Buren County and look forward with much enthusiasm as the Villages Folk School continues to bring attention to this area.
We invite you to join us in our endeavor to make the Villages Folk School into a premier year-round folk school. By becoming a Friend of the Folk School your sponsorship dollars will help with the advertising and marketing needed to reach out to the surrounding areas for students and keep our artists working to support their families and this area. Information for sponsorship is available on our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com or call our office at 319-592-3700 for assistance.
Here is a list of our upcoming classes: Chair Caning with Fiber Rush Weave, Nov 13; Fried Fiction Workshop, Nov 13-14; Container Candles, Nov 27; Beginning Blacksmithing, Dec 4-5; Hand Piecing Appliqué & Quilting, Dec 11-12; Container Candles, Dec 18.
Taking a class at the Villages Folk School is more than just spending a little time with a craft; it is a chance to experience firsthand the life of living the arts in Van Buren County, Iowa. As the holidays approach and you are thinking about presents for friends and family wouldn’t it be fun to give a gift that you made? There are some classes coming soon that will allow you to do just that. Container candles are made in your favorite mug and would make a wonderful gift. We hope to see you here for one of our classes and look forward to your participation.
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