Within the close-knit fiber of the Villages of Van Buren County lies a culture that brings the arts to life. For those of us who live here it may not be as obvious, but for those who journey to the lush hardwoods and twisting river valley of Van Buren County, Iowa it leaves a lingering presence and peacefulness experienced only by thoughts of years gone by.


Out of this culture has grown such artists as Wendell Mohr and many with such gifts and talents have chosen to make their homes amongst this peace and tranquility.


The Villages Folk School, with its campus spread throughout the valley like splotches of paint on an artist's palette, offers
others a chance to capture, if only for a brief moment in time,


the joy of experiencing the arts in this way.










Wednesday, September 7, 2011

“1800 Degrees in a Top Hat”





     What is in a degree? Certainly educators have labored to turn out some of the finest, most educated people in the world but that isn’t the degree we are discussing today, although these 1800 degrees turn out some of the finest looking pottery in the world. I am talking about Raku pottery and it happened this past weekend at Iron & Lace in the village of Bentonsport, Iowa. Fifteen students came from across the state and one of them from Pennsylvania to learn the art of Raku pottery from our folk school instructors, Bill and Betty Printy. The art of Raku which dates back to 16th-century Japan has become very popular here at the Villages Folk School. The beauty of this pottery is that your creation is completed in one class and can be taken home at the end of the day.

     I am always excited to hear from our students and each time I do it reminds me of why we do what we do. The arts and the ability to be creative are something to be shared. I recently framed a pastel piece that was painted by one of our folk school students. It was her first pastel class but she shared with me how she had taken different classes that we offer at the folk school and enjoyed them but until now she hadn’t found one she was truly good at. The painting she did in pastel was of a tiger and it was beautiful. She has found a way to be creative and will share that with everyone she meets. Living the arts here in Van Buren County whether it be raku, sculpture, blacksmithing, hand-thrown pottery, painting, weaving, chair caning, painting barn quilts or paper making will bring you in contact with artists who get their inspiration from the very place they live.

     Register for your first experience here at the Villages Folk School by calling 319-592-3700 or online at www.villagesfolkschool.com.

The following is our list of classes for September:

Still Life Workshop in Pastel & Oil

10-Sep-2011 11-Sep-2011

Chair Caning with Fiber Rush Weave

17-Sep-2011 -

Sculpture Portrait in Three Dimension

17-Sep-2011 18-Sep-2011

Pulp Play (Paper) & Journal Making

22-Sep-2011 23-Sep-2011

Beginning Blacksmithing

24-Sep-2011 25-Sep-2011

We hope to see you soon at the Villages Folk School in historic Van Buren County Iowa.
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