“Everyone was loafing at the Villages Folk School”

     Loafing is a good thing when it involves the Villages Folk School class of Artisan Bread Making Made Easy. I never tire of seeing the smile of satisfaction on their faces as the students remove their loaf of bread from the oven. This moment they have anticipated all day at the class is always a highlight and it comes with a feeling of accomplishment that is enhanced by the fact that they are turning out a loaf of bread that will be the talk of the house when they return home. I have watched as this process repeats itself from class to class. Men, women and even couples together have taken this class and the result is always the same. It is not just the beautiful loaf of bread but the knowledge of being able to complete this process over and over at home that makes this class such a hit. You may want to learn this process and there is no better place to do that than enjoying a day in Betty Printy’s kitchen in historic Bentonsport, Iowa.

     Shelly Brenneman, from Fairfield and a student in the class last weekend, had this to say about the Villages Folk School class; “At first I didn’t think I had any time in my chaotic, busy schedule to get away and take a Villages Folk School class. But as soon as I made it to the winding country roads of Van Buren County I felt myself relax, my mind ease, and I enjoyed the scenery in the warm spring sun. I had always wanted to see the inside of one of the historic homes of Bentonsport and to be able to spend the whole afternoon in Betty Printy’s 1860’s brick home was a treat, especially since I was able to experience the art of artisan bread making with the baker in her home kitchen. How often do you get to spend time learning from an artist in their own space? It makes the learning experience much deeper, more memorable and meaningful since we became a part of the life of the artist for the afternoon. We were able to sit around Betty’s kitchen table as we learned and we enjoyed the ambience of the historic home complete with beautiful antiques including the 1930’s stove where we baked our breads. We saw Betty’s baking art first-hand; we watched her using her own tools in her own kitchen and we learned her art in the most hands-on way. We each took a turn with her tools, special ingredients, and time tested, delicious baking techniques. My afternoon was a truly authentic, real and relaxing experience in this hurried technological world. I was very glad I made the time to experience this truly unique and authentic Villages Folk School class. Thank you!”

     This is just one of the stories we constantly here from our folk school students. We invite you to do like Shelly and take the time to step away from your busy life for a day and join us here at the Villages Folk School. We offer many classes that give you an opportunity to step into the life of the artist instructor and join them as they ‘live the arts’ here in scenic Van Buren County. Registering for a class may be done with a simple phone call to our office at 319-592-3700 or go online to www.villagesfolkschool.com and download our registration form. We look forward to your visit and invite you to enjoy the scenery of the beautiful Des Moines River valley here in our county as you travel to your class destination. Our classes are held throughout the twelve villages so your experience will bring you in contact with all of what nature has to offer here in the Villages of Van Buren County.

     If you do not have access to the internet here is a list of our coming classes: February 25, Betty Printy starts a 5 session Beginning Pottery Class; Meg King teaches a Beginning Crocheting class on February 26; and Joy Hanson teaches a weekend two-day class in Hand Piecing, Appliqué & Quilting on February 26 & 27.

     2011 also features our first annual writer’s conference; The Villages Folk School Writer’s Conference 2011. This event being held on September 23, 24, & 25 will not only feature New York Times Best Selling Authors but literary agents, publishers and many other experts in the field of writing from around the country. We encourage you to get your registration in early because this event will have limited seating and we expect it to fill up quickly. Contact us at the folk school office for more information. Our phone number is 319-592-3700 or you may go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com and check out our class descriptions, artist bios and more.

     Call us today at the Villages Folk School office and allow us to introduce you to a wonderful new experience in the arts. Our office is available for your questions at 319-592-3700. Register for classes online or by phone.

     Give yourself the opportunity to live the arts with us here at the Villages Folk School.

“Temperatures are rising in the Villages”

 


     With the rise of temperatures comes birds singing on the hillsides, animals playing in the sunshine, and ovens at the proper degrees for making that perfect loaf of bread. I sit at my computer writing this article each week and today, for the first time since the falling temperatures of winter, I spotted our neighborhood squirrel on his favorite branch basking in the warm sunshine. Truly Summer is on its way and the surrounding Des Moines River valley will awaken from its frigid slumber to become a stage for natures production that brings forth the colorful presentation of Spring and its cast of flowers and woodland animals.

     Although I enjoy the beauty of the snow upon the trees and the stark white snow covered fields, the traverse through Van Buren County visiting the many Villages Folk School classes is always inhanced by the splendor of nature as Summer invades the Villages.

     Here at the folk school our artists look forward with great anticipation to the burst of Spring as they continue to offer their many classes. One such artist is Betty Printy who, for the first time in several years, has offered her classes straight through the winter. Rumor has it she didn’t go into hybernation this winter! You may be surprised to find such an opportunity in early February but on the 19th Betty will be firing up the stoves again as she and her daughter, April Ziegler, offer you an experience in baking bread in our popular Artisan Bread Making Made Easy class here at the Villages Folk School. Other classes we offer this month are as follows: Chair Caning with Fiber Rush Weave taught by Vern Ramsey on February 19; February 25, Betty Printy starts a 5 session Beginning Pottery Class; Meg King teaches a Beginning Crocheting class on February 26; and Joy Hanson teaches a weekend two-day class in Hand Piecing, Appliqué & Quilting on February 26 & 27.

     Registration for classes can be done by going to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com or calling our office at 319-592-3700. We are here to make your experience in ‘living the arts’ one that will satisfy that longing for creating your own masterpiece. Whether it be bread baking, painting, sculpting, writing, blacksmithing, candle making, knitting, or quilting there is something offered here at the Villages Folk School for you and your creative desires.

     2011 also features our first annual writer’s conference; The Villages Folk School Writer’s Conference 2011. This event being held on September 23, 24, & 25 will not only feature New York Times Best Selling Authors but literary agents, publishers and many other experts in the field of writing from around the country. We encourage you to get your registration in early because this event will have limited seating and we expect it to fill up quickly. Contact us at the folk school office for more information. Our phone number is 319-592-3700 or you may go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com and check out our class descriptions, artist bios and more.

     Call us today at the Villages Folk School office and allow us to introduce you to a wonderful new experience in the arts. Our office is available for your questions at 319-592-3700. Register for classes online or by phone.

     We look forward to seeing you soon!

“Folk School artist, John Preston, unveils work at the Sondheim”

     Saturday night, January 29, was a big night for John Preston as he greeted people at the Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts in Fairfield. What people were coming to see was the two paintings, each 8 x 6 ½ foot canvases, masterfully created by John. It was if I were looking out across the landscape in scenic Van Buren County, only it was captured on the two canvases hanging on the wall in front of me. I stood back just observing the people and their reactions to the work John was displaying. Some would stand silent, others would point out structures in the distance that brought back fond memories, and one man smiled as he recognized the distant steeple of the church where he and his wife were married. Each person was taking it in and enjoying for a moment this magical snapshot on canvas that will forever be frozen in time by John Preston’s skillful brush strokes. These works by John were commissioned by the Chicago Federal Reserve and will be moved to Chicago this week.

     The mastery reflected in John Preston’s work is surpassed only by the man himself. To meet John, with his endearing smile and his gentle, soft-spoken voice is truly a pleasure. We are very blessed to have John and his wonderful wife, Cynthia, be a part of the Villages Folk School. It is this caliber of artist that makes our folk school experience such a great opportunity.

     Classes are scheduled for 2011 and are underway. We invite you to check out our calendar on the website at www.villagesfolkschool.com or call our office at 319-592-3700. For those of you who do not have internet access to our calendar, here is a list of upcoming classes.

     In February, Joy Hanson will teach another “Container Candles” class on the 5th and on “Super Bowl” Sunday we have a special class planned for all of you ladies who are looking for something to do during the game. It is a special for Valentines Day so give us a call to find out about this “Super Bowl” Sunday event. The next two weekends, Feb 12 and 19, Betty Printy and April Ziegler will again teach their popular “Artisan Bread Making Made Easy” class. Completing this month of classes is Vern Ramsey and his “Chair Caning with Fiber Rush Weave” class. This is a great time to fix that chair with the broken cane seat! Just call the school and register for Vern’s class and learn to cane like a pro.

     2011 also features our first annual writer’s conference; The Villages Folk School Writer’s Conference 2011. This event being held on September 23, 24, & 25 will not only feature New York Times Best Selling Authors but literary agents, publishers and many other experts in the field of writing from around the country. We encourage you to get your registration in early because this event will have limited seating and we expect it to fill up quickly. Contact us at the folk school office for more information. Our phone number is 319-592-3700 or you may go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com and check out our class descriptions, artist bios and more.

     The Villages Folk School invites you to “live the arts” with our artist instructors. Pick a class, pick a weekend and call us to register at 319-592-3700. It just may be the best decision of your life!