“Follow the Rainbow to Van Buren County”

    

     It’s been said, “If you find the end of the rainbow you will discover a pot of gold.” Discovering the end of the rainbow is one thing, but how do I know if what I find is gold. I decided to research the dictionary for a true description of gold. Webster defined it as something valued as the finest of its kind. The refining process removes all of the impurities and what remains is pure gold. I believe the rainbow must have ended here in Van Buren County Iowa and my reason for coming to that conclusion is based on what I have observed.

     My observations have included both geographic and personal experiences. The state of Iowa is, for the most part, flat and fertile farm land but this southeast section of the state offers a much different look. The rolling hills, the lush hardwoods, the winding Des Moines River cutting its way through scenic valleys filled with wildlife and abundant life.

     It is not just the drives through this wonderful county that impress me and bring me to such conclusions but the people who live here. All of this has stirred the hearts of the people and it brings out the best in all of us. The constant refining that takes place as we live life here stirs the imagination and has given us such artists as Wendell Mohr who chose to make his life here and use the historic Vernon school as his home and studio; a place where his creative genius exploded on canvas and is evidenced by the many splendid watercolors we find in homes and businesses throughout the county and in galleries around the state.

     Van Buren County has become the home of many such artists and has been the influence for the Villages Folk School. It is through the genius of these artists that the folk school has been born and their constant quest for creating something beautiful in the art form they have chosen shines like pure gold. The experience of finding your “end of the rainbow” exists for you here at the Villages Folk School and we invite you to register for one of our many classes and witness it for yourself. Our May “Portrait Workshop in Pastel and Oil” will be held at the historic Vernon schoolhouse in Wendell Mohr’s studio.

     The calendar of classes is available for you online at www.villagesfolkschool.com and you many register by printing the form on our web site or calling our office at 319-592-3700. For those of you who don’t have access to the internet the following is a list of classes scheduled through May.

Villages Folk School class schedule for April and May:

     Intermediate Knitting, 23 April; Beginning Blacksmithing, 23-24 April; Printmaking, 29-30 April; Raku Pottery, 7 May; Bonaparte Pottery Experience, 7-8 May; Blacksmithing (Tong Making), 14-15 May; Chair Caning with Fiber Rush Weave, 14 May; Portrait Workshop in Pastel & Oil, 14-15 May; Spring and Fall Birdwatching, 21 May; Painting the Landscape, 28 May.

     Contact us at 319-592-3700 or go to our web site at www.villagesfolkschool.com and start your search for the end of the rainbow today.