“Spring classes amongst the green of Van Buren County”

    

          
     Taking a class at the Villages Folk School begins with a scenic drive through the rolling hills and twisting river valley of Van Buren County. Spring is in full bloom here in our beautiful southeast corner of Iowa and the many shades of green are beginning to capture my attention more than the colors of fall. My morning started with a five-mile drive from Bonaparte to Bentonsport where I visited the Blacksmith academy at Iron and Lace. The forges were all full of iron and students cranked the handles to keep the fire hot enough to bring their project to the proper temperature for another trip to the anvil as they skillfully hammered it into the correct shape. This was another “Tong Making” class and each of the students was enjoying the experience of working together with their instructor at the school. Mark Heisdorffer stayed busy as he moved from forge to forge giving his expert critique and helpful suggestions. This ‘instructor to student’ connection is the process I love the most when I visit the many folk school classes. This is what sets our classes apart from just working on any particular project. Not only do you come away with a quality finished product, but you take with you the knowledge that is imparted by the artist instructor. The class today included a father and son who were returning for their second class in a series of four classes in the blacksmithing trade.

     After spending some time talking with each student and snapping pictures to create a memory for each of them I left for Keosauqua where Vern Ramsey was teaching a class on chair caning in fiber rush weave at the historic Congregational Church parsonage. His students today had come from Fairfield and were each concentrating on their chair project. Taking an old cane seat chair and restoring it to its original condition is an easy process when you have the help of our folk school instructor, Vern Ramsey. Vern offers classes in all three types of weave; 7-step, fiber rush weave and flat reed split. If you have an old chair that needs the cane replaced then why not register for our next chair caning class and learn the process for yourself.

     Our class schedule is available for you online at www.villagesfolkschool.com or you may call our office at 319-592-3700 to register. If you do not have access to the internet the following is a list of our upcoming classes.

Villages Folk School class schedule for May & June:

Spring and Fall Birdwatching, 21 May; Painting the Landscape, 28 May; Bonaparte Pottery Experience, 4-5 May; Story Telling for All Occasions, 4 June; Blacksmithing: Tool Making, 4 June; Barn Quilt Painting, 11 June; Rug Weaving Workshop, 11-12 June; Carving With David, 18-19 June; Chair Caning with Flat Reed Splits, 18 June; Clothing First Aide-Mending, Patching, 25 June; Sculpture Portrait in Three Dimension, 25-26 June.

     Pick your class! Go online, www.villagesfolkschool.com, or call us, 319-592-3700, to register and get ready to have a great time at the Villages Folk School in scenic Van Buren County Iowa!

“Forty students enjoy a day at the Villages Folk School”

 

   The weather is often unpredictable and last week was no exception as 40 homeschool students took part in a day at the folk school that included rug weaving, blacksmithing, pottery, natural dies, the artifact museum and the Mason house. Despite the 41 degree weather the students and their parents enjoyed the chance to learn from each of the teachers as they demonstrated their artistic talents. The natural dies class gave them the opportunity to try their hand at painting a t-shirt with dies made from native plants. A great day was had by all; including the teachers who love to share the arts with young people.

     On Saturday Betty Printy had another one of her popular Raku pottery classes. The beauty of this class is the instant gratification since the pottery piece is completed and ready to take home at the end of the day. Many students have returned several times to enjoy the Raku process. It is one that never grows old and the finished product is always unique and something new to display at home or give for a gift.

     We invite each of you to come take a class at the Villages Folk School and see for yourself the joy of working one on one with a gifted artist. Our instructors will make the experience one that you will not only enjoy, but come away feeling confident in the process. Once you have developed your own creative style you are on your way to a lifetime of fun with the arts.

     You may register for a class by going to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com or calling our office at 319-592-3700. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or to suggest at class subject that you would like to participate in. We are constantly looking for new instructors and subjects. If you are interested in being a teacher at the folk school just call us and schedule a time to discuss the opportunity.

Villages Folk School class schedule for 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.

     Go to www.villagesfolkschool.com and register today. We look forward to seeing you in one of our upcoming classes.

“Experience ‘Art’ at the Villages Folk School”

                  
              
     By now I’m sure most of you have read about or at least heard about the Villages Folk School. Maybe your curiosity has been stirred but you haven’t taken that next step to register for one of the many classes offered. Well, what are you waiting for? Go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com and find the class that interests you most. Now you simply print the registration form online, fill it out, and mail it to our office at PO Box 51, Bonaparte, IA 52520. Or, for a more personal touch, call our office at 319-592-3700 and Gloria will help you with your registration. However you choose to do it, I assure you an experience of a lifetime awaits you at the Villages Folk School.

     Maybe painting is something you always wanted to try. On May 14th and 15th we are offering a Portrait Workshop in Pastel & Oil taught by Gin Lammert. This is going to be a thrill for all of us here at the Villages Folk School as this workshop will be held at the historic Vernon schoolhouse in Wendell Mohr’s private studio where he created his many wonderful works of art. Don’t miss this opportunity to share the experience of painting in the very studio where Wendell Mohr painted!

     Have you ever wanted to try your hand at pottery? Coming up on Saturday, May 7th is Betty Printy’s popular “Raku Pottery” class. In this class you will pick your pottery piece, do your very own glazing scheme, and carry it to the “top hat” kiln where it will be fired to perfection as you anxiously await the outcome. The uniqueness of each piece in Raku pottery adds to the thrill of the moment when they emerge from the kiln.

     Maybe you would like to experience an archeological dig and discover 150 year old pieces of pottery. On May 7th and 8th you can do just that at the Bonaparte Pottery Experience. Some of the molds that have been discovered were used to pour new pieces, have been fired and are ready for you to glaze and complete in the kiln.

     Like to try your hand at blacksmithing? Learn from one of the best as Bill Printy and his apprentice, Mark Heisdorffer, show you how to make your own tongs on the forges at Iron and Lace.

     Do you have an old chair that needs the cane seat replaced? Vern Ramsey is teaching a class on chair caning with fiber rush weave this month at the folk school.

     Maybe the great outdoors interests you! Raymond and Connie Morris will take you there as they show you where to see the birds that make scenic Van Buren County their migratory path.

     On May 28th another great artist, John Preston, will teach you how to Paint the Landscape.

Villages Folk School class schedule for May:

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.

     Call us today at 319-592-3700 or go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com and make your dream of ‘living the arts’ come alive.