Last weekend students learned the art of making Shaker boxes. The Shakers, a religious group which flourished until after the Civil War, began making oval boxes in 1798 and continued until the mid twentieth century. They were available in a wide variety of sizes and were used to store herbs, buttons, nails, medicines – anything but liquids! Their elliptical shape is pleasing to the eye, fits well in the hand and allows easy removal of the lid.
The instructor, Bob Ristow, has taught in Montana, Iowa and Minnesota and he and his wife, Bernice, reside in Hopkinton, Iowa. Students learned how to form the fingers, cut the bottom piece from laminated birch plywood, and after soaking the wood in water, wrapped it around the form and secured it with square pegs. The process includes the use of scroll saws, sanders and anvils for pinning the boxes. I guess the best sign of success in this class is that each student comes away with five different sizes of oval Shaker boxes and all of their fingers!
Classes at the folk school offer you a chance to experience many of the traditional arts as well as fine arts. The instructors at the Villages Folk School are working artists who have perfected their trade and enjoying sharing it with others. You will find our classes to be a relaxing yet challenging experience that will give you the tools and the knowledge to continue developing your personal skill level.
Go to our web site at www.villagesfolkschool.com and see for yourself the many art forms that are offered. Choose one that you have always wanted to learn, register for the class, and get ready for a fun and exciting weekend at the Villages Folk School. If you have questions just call our office at 319-592-3700 and we will be happy to assist you in your registration process.
Our July and August schedule is filling up quickly so get your registrations in soon. The following is our schedule for the next two months:
Landscape Workshop in Pastel & Oil
16-Jul-2011 17-Jul-2011
Carving With David
16-Jul-2011 17-Jul-2011
Portrait Workshop in Pastel & Oil
23-Jul-2011 24-Jul-2011
7 Step Chair Caning
13-Aug-2011 -
Barn Quilt Painting
13-Aug-2011 -
Blacksmithing: Forge Welding
13-Aug-2011 -
Painting the Landscape
13-Aug-2011 -
Bonaparte Pottery Experience
20-Aug-2011 21-Aug-2011
Join us soon for a class in ‘living the arts’ at the Villages Folk School.
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