"It was a sing, sing, sing weekend"

     Starting the day off well is always an important task. Last Saturday at the historic Bentonsport Presbyterian church was such a morning. Stephen Conte and Prairie Harmony brought an entirely new meaning to “starting the day off well”. Folk school students were trained in the wonderful art of “Shape Note Singing”. This class explored the roots of the shape note folk revival from meeting house to performance art of the modern folk music era—a harmony singing study of early American anthems, psalms and hymns of the shape note traditions of singing dating back to the eighteenth century. Stephen Conte is highly knowledgeable and experienced in this form of folk music and always sends his students home with the satisfaction provided in this form of singing and the desire to sing, sing, sing.

     The Villages Folk School staff are proud to offer such quality classes and are eager to extend this opportunity to all of you. Maybe singing isn’t your desire, but among the many classes offered in the folk school lies a subject matter that was made just for you; your chance to “live the arts” with us here in the Villages of Van Buren County Iowa. Taking the time out from your busy schedule is not always easy, but once you make the choice to join us for one of our classes you’ll be asking yourself, “Why didn’t I do this a long time ago?” Stop! Slow down! Smell the roses! Life is as much about savoring every moment as it is about speeding toward a goal. This is your chance to relax and savor your moment. Many who have taken part in our classes have commented on the experience as one they wished they had started years ago.

     Our class schedules are available for you on the website at www.villagesfolkschool.com. Gloria is available in our office at 319-592-3700 for any questions you might have about registration.

For those who don’t have internet access here is a list of our upcoming classes:

24 July 2010     Melon Basket Weaving

24-25 July 2010 Bonaparte Pottery Experience

31 July 2010     Barn Quilt Painting

                      Blacksmithing: Forge Welding

                      Still Life in Soft Pastels

21 Aug 2010     Painting the Landscape

21-22 Aug 2010 Bonaparte Pottery Experience

28-29 Aug 2010 Creative Writing—Intro to Publishing


We invite you to join us for a memorable weekend here at the Villages Folk School. Call us today at 319-592-3700.

"Folk School weekend at the Lee County Fair"

     Last week was all about sharing the folk school experience with visitors at the Lee County Fair in Donnellson. Our artist instructors gave demonstrations in the folk school booth each day of the fair. Meg King demonstrated the art of knitting on Wednesday evening. She would be happy to teach you the technique and would have you knitting gifts for your loved ones before you know it! It isn’t as difficult as you might think.

     Two young people volunteered to model for Chris Bennett on Thursday as he sculpted their likenesses in clay. It looks so easy when Chris is at work but I know it is the result of years of study; working to perfect his artistry, and an incredible talent. He has taught workshops throughout the Midwest for thirty years. His works which include 50 public commissions and numerous private commissions are displayed throughout Iowa. Maybe you have a desire to become a sculptor. If so, register for the next “Sculpture Portrait in Three Dimension” class and join Chris Bennett for an exciting weekend in the studio.

     Friday was Senior Citizen Day at the fair so Vern and Doris Ramsey demonstrated the art of chair caning. Maybe you have an old chair that has been in your family for years but the cane in the seat has rotted through. Not a problem!!! Vern can teach you how to restore that chair to its original condition so that your family can enjoy it for years to come. His class will provide you with the skills needed for that project. Two days with Vern and your chair will be good as new.

     The Villages Folk School has many exciting classes that will allow you to experience the folk and traditional arts in a classroom setting with a skilled artist instructor. This hands-on class setting will provide you with the one-on-one instructor time needed to assure a quality learning experience. It is our desire at the folk school to provide this opportunity to all who seek a fulfilling experience in the arts. Come join us at one of our classes and start on your journey in the creative arts. Call our school at 319-592-3700 to learn more or go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com. We look forward to your call.

     Check out the coming classes and find that date that works for you. There are classes being offered each month. We hope to see you soon.

     Come visit our booth at the Van Buren County Fair on Wednesday July 14, 2010 through Monday July 19, 2010.

See you there!

"Raku Pottery weekend as Villages celebrate the 4th"

     Excitement is always high when Bill & Betty Printy roll out the “top hat kilns” for a day of Raku pottery at Iron and Lace. It is not just the students, because there is always that anticipated moment when the piece comes out of the kiln that gets everyone’s blood rushing. I think that is why this class is so much fun. The students are always upbeat as they begin the process. First they must choose, from a variety of bisque pieces, which one they would like to complete. Then there is the decision for what color glazing. Some get very creative and use multiple colors. Now once that is complete it is into the kiln for an 1800 degree bake. Once removed from the kiln the piece is placed in containers full of grass where they slowly cool. After removal from those containers each student must use water to clean the char and soot from the piece and slowly their masterpiece is revealed. It is always a moment everyone enjoys.

     July and August are featuring some great classes! Do you like to make your own greeting cards? Join us on July 10th for the Buttons and Bows Card Making class taught by Debra Herrick and discover some new techniques that make your cards very unique. Maybe you would like to write a poem or a short story but just don’t know how to begin. You will find the answer to that dilemma in the Creative Writing—Intro to Publishing class taught by Adam Whitlatch on July 17th and 18th.

     Here is one for all of you who like to sing. Join us at the historic Bentonsport Presbyterian Church on July 17th for Folk Hymnody & the Old Singing Schools of America. On this evening you will join in with Stephen Conte & Prairie Harmony to learn shape note singing; four part harmonies written in the eighteenth century. Come and bring your family for this great evening in song. If you don’t sing, just come enjoy listening to the music. It is a great time!

     Do you like history? Do you like pottery? Then come enjoy a weekend of history July 24th and 25th at the old Bonaparte Pottery as Marilyn Thomas displays molds that date back to the 1860’s when Parker and Hanback built their German pottery along the banks of the Des Moines River in Bonaparte, Iowa. Molds are still being unearthed at the site and you will have the opportunity to join in the dig. Who knows what you might discover?

     Maybe you would like to learn how to weave your very own basket. At the Villages Folk School you can do that too! On July 24th come join Therese Cummisky for a day of Melon Basket Weaving.

     I remember when I saw my first Barn Quilt. I was driving back to Iowa from Washington State and noticed these unique patterns that were painted on the ends of some of the barns. They were all different colors as well as patterns. It began to catch my eye every time I passed one. Well now I not only know what they are but I know how you can learn to paint them. The folk school’s class taught by Carolyn Edwards will be held on July 31st.

     Bill Printy and Mark Heisdorffer will be teaching the art of “forge welding” on July 31st. This is a day primarily spent on learning the basics of forge welding. The class will cover lap welds, “T” welds, “L” welds and corner welds.

     Learning to paint is a wonderful experience, especially when your instructor is Gin Lammert. She will be teaching “Still Life in Soft Pastels” on July 31st.

     In August another weekend is planned on the 21st and 22nd for you to take the Bonaparte Pottery Experience.

     Another treat for August is John Preston’s class “Painting the Landscape”. If you want to learn from one of the best, come spend a day with John.

     We round out the month of August with another Creative Writing—Intro to Publishing class held by Adam Whitlatch.

     Times and locations for all the classes are listed for you on our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com or you can call our office at 319-592-3700. Gloria will be glad to help you with any of your registrations or questions. If you are heading to any of the local fairs, we will have a booth at the Lee County Fair in Donnellson this week and the Van Buren County Fair in Keosauqua next week. Stop by our booth and discover more about the Villages Folk School. We look forward to seeing you.

"Folk School Music Presentation in Bentonsport"

     Bentonsport was my destination this last weekend. As I drove down the hill into town I spotted tents that dotted the shoreline from the Mason House to the rose garden beyond Iron and Lace. This weekend was the Buckskinner Rendezvous and the air was filled with the smell of smoke from the campfires mingled with the fresh aroma of fry bread that just had to be sampled! There is something about fry bread cooked over the open fire that keeps you coming back for more. I know it was popular for all who were there.

     Jeff Nayadley who teaches classes on the hammered Dulcimer at the Villages Folk School was coming to share his music for the day. He was accompanied by Deb Hanson on guitar and her son, Kendal, on violin. I couldn’t let a chance like this go by, so I headed back home to get my saxophone and guitar. Jeff and Deb are members of the group Prairie Serenade from Washington, Iowa. Their music is all acoustic and is a pleasant musical mix of graceful waltzes, hymns, light classical, old-time, traditional and folk tunes, lovely Irish, English, Scottish and French-Canadian melodies with a splash of Caribbean calypso and a dash of Rodgers & Hammerstein thrown in for good measure. This was my first experience playing along with a dulcimer and I must say, “I thoroughly enjoyed the day!”

     Dorothy Gilbert, a member of the folk school board, was on hand to share with passers by about the Villages Folk School. This was a chance for us to bring people in contact with some of the many classes in the arts that are offered in the folk school. Three classes were represented on Saturday. Chris Campbell who teaches Native American Crafts and Mark Heisdorffer who teaches Blacksmithing were also demonstrating at the event. Mark presented the buckskinner group with a handmade tomahawk that was forged at the Iron and Lace blacksmith shop.

     The Villages Folk School offers a variety of classes in folk, traditional and fine art. The ongoing expansion of the folk school offers opportunity for more artist instructors and we invite you to join our gifted team of artists. Contact our office at 319-592-3700 and find out how you can become an instructor at the Villages Folk School.

     If you have always wanted to learn a new craft but didn’t know where to begin then this is your chance. Go online at www.villagesfolkschool.com and check out our list of classes. The following classes are coming up in July: Raku Pottery, Chair Caning with Fiber Rush Weave, Buttons and Bows Card Making, Folk Hymnody and the Old Singing Schools of America, Bonaparte Pottery Experience, Melon Basket Weaving, Barn Quilt Painting, Blacksmithing and Still Life in Soft Pastels.

     If you can’t find what you are looking for, give us a call. We are always looking for new class ideas. If you find the class you want, there are two ways to register. First you can print the form online, fill it out and mail it to our office or simply call us and Gloria will walk you through the process. It’s that easy! Join us soon for one of our exciting classes.

     Our website came be found at www.villagesfolkschool.com or contact us by phone at 319-592-3700. Call today for your next exciting adventure in “living the arts”!

"Summer is here at the Villages Folk School"

  This past weekend the village of Birmingham celebrated with vendors, pedal pulls, and artists in the park. Dorothy Gilbert a member of the Villages Folk School board from Stockport and John Preston one of the folk school artists spent the day sharing the folk school with visitors at Birmingham. John is a gifted artist who loves to paint the landscape. When I arrived at the park I noticed John sitting at his easel painting the gazebo with the log house in the background. If only I could capture a picture as easily as he does. Years of training and experience have certainly paid off for John and we are proud to have him as an instructor here at the Villages Folk School.

     While John painted I had a moment to visit with folks who had come for the day. I noticed that two young boys had stopped to watch John as he painted. Soon one of the boys asked him if he could paint his picture. Without hesitation John walked to his stack of supplies, sorted through to find just the right canvas and walked back to his easel to begin a picture of the young man. I watched as John sketched lightly with his pencil and then began to mix and apply the watercolors to his portrait; Authentic even down to the black smudges above his left eye. The boy stood very still with a smile on his face as he anticipated the painting John so carefully prepared.

Soon the work was complete and you should have seen the look on his face as John handed him the painting. With a look of awe he carefully studied the portrait and then walked away showing his treasure to everyone he passed. What a great moment! It is this willingness to give back to others that makes our Villages Folk School so special. I have seen this time and time again and heard it from our instructors as they teach their classes. At some point in time someone took the time to share the gift of the creative arts with them and started them on their love affair with the arts. It is the desire and the ability to give back to their students that makes living the arts such a wonderful experience here at the Villages Folk School.

     We are constantly seeking other artists who would like to share their love of the arts with students at the folk school. Please contact our office at 319-592-3700 for more information. Gloria is in the office Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. Our office is located at the Opera House in Bonaparte. Come in anytime to register for a class, get information about becoming an instructor or to find out more about the Villages Folk School.

     The following classes are coming in June and July and are open for registration:

Sculpture Portrait in Three Dimension, Raku Pottery, Chair Caning with Fiber Rush Weave, Buttons & Bows Card Making, Folk Hymnody & the Old Singing Schools of America, Bonaparte Pottery Experience, Melon Basket Weaving, Barn Quilt Painting, Blacksmithing and Still Life in Soft Pastels.

     The time is now for taking part in your first folk school class. This opportunity is one you will never forget. Come join us for a class or bring the entire family and enjoy something together. This will be an experience that stays with you the rest of your life. This is not just another class, but a chance to be creative and learn to apply that to every aspect of your life. Your children will learn to excel in everything they do if they have the opportunity to become creative. Don’t delay; register today!

"A Quiet Weekend at the Villages Folk School"

     This last weekend I found myself thinking of a leisurely drive across Van Buren County to visit another folk school class. But this would be a weekend off for our instructors and the students. There is something to be said for a day of rest, but I missed the experience that always leaves me wanting more. The thrill of walking into a folk school class and watching as the instructors share what has taken them years to develop. It always seems effortless but I know, from my experience, it is not. They just make it appear that way. This is what makes our classes so amazing! I can stand in front of a landscape painting that is so real I feel as if I am looking through a window. But I wouldn’t know where to start to achieve that end result. When I see the process broken down into simple steps, I find myself wanting to run to the store, buy some artist supplies and start painting!

      You can experience this as I have by joining one of our artist instructors for a fun-filled day learning something you have always wanted to try. I invite you to register for one of our classes by calling the Villages Folk School office at 319-592-3700. Gloria will be happy to answer any questions you might have regarding your class choice. Visit our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com to find a list of classes and more information that will help you with your decision. Registering for a class may also be done with our website form. Simply download the registration form, fill it out and mail it to our office at PO Box 51, Bonaparte, Iowa 52620.

     June and July are packed full of interesting classes with something for everyone. For some of you who may not have access to the internet here is a brief list of some upcoming classes:


Creative Writing—Intro to Publishing by Adam Whitlatch

Sculpture Portrait in Three Dimension by Chris Bennett

Raku Pottery by Betty Printy

Chair Caning with Fiber Rush Weave by Verne & Doris Ramsey

Buttons & Bows Card Making by Debra Herrick

Folk Hymnody of the Old Singing Schools of America by Stephen Conte & Prairie Harmony

Bonaparte Pottery Experience by Marilyn Thomas

Melon Basket Weaving by Therese Cummisky

Barn Quilt Painting by Carolyn Edwards

Blacksmithing by Bill Printy & Mark Heisdorffer


     Bring the family and come enjoy a day or a weekend with us at the Villages Folk School. Call today to reserve your class at 319-592-3700. Capture the experience of Living the Arts here in Van Buren County and find yourself wanting more!

"Make June a Special Month and join us at the Villages Folk School"

     The Villages Folk School offered a Student Appreciation Day for 200 Clark County students on Friday, June 4th in Bentonsport. Seven artist instructors gave presentations in blacksmithing, pottery, weaving, Native American living, the tale of Bubba the ox, Indian artifacts, and tour of the Mason House. Debra Herrick taught a class in Greeting Card Variations on Sunday in Bonaparte . We continue to see students from outside our county. This is great for our local businesses, as these people often frequent our restaurants for meals and shop in the local stores.

     Coming up on June 12th and 13th is a popular class in Beginning Blacksmithing. The two day event will once again be held at the Forge and Anvil Academy in Bentonsport. It is always a thrill to watch Bill Printy and Mark Heisdorffer teach the art of working iron into usable everyday items. If you have ever thought about trying your hand at blacksmithing, then this is the class for you. Great hands-on instruction from start to finish by highly skilled blacksmiths. Bill Printy has been in the blacksmith trade for over 35 years and Mark has been working as an apprentice with him since 1997. Together they make the learning experience a process that starts you on your way to a fulfilling hobby in blacksmithing. You might want to continue on with future classes and work to develop more skills in the trade. There is no limit to what can be achieved with the right training and desire.

     Adam Whitlatch is a writer offering a “Creative Writing-Intro to Publishing” class in June that will teach you the basics of writing short stories and poetry with an emphasis on preparing work for publishing. We welcome Adam to the Villages Folk School and look forward to seeing his students excel in their writing skills. At the end of the year, all students’ short stories will be collected, edited, and published in a special edition “Villages Folk School” print anthology.

     Maybe you have a desire to create beautiful sculptures. I feel challenged just manipulating the Play Dough with my grandchildren, but when I see the work that is created by Chris Bennett in his studio I understand the difference between playing and a true artist. Chris’s work will inspire you to create and his class “Sculpture Portrait in Three Dimension” being held in June will help you to build the proper skills needed to begin your creative journey in sculpturing. Chris is a working sculptor and offers these classes on a limited basis, so don’t miss this opportunity!

     Whatever you choose to be creative with, the Villages Folk School will be a launching pad for you journey. We invite you to join us for one of our exciting classes. Call today and register with our folk school office at 319-592-3700. Check out our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com and see for yourself the many classes we offer. Now is as good a time as any to call and register. Treat yourself to a fun filled weekend at the Villages Folk School.!