“Piecing it all together at the Villages Folk School”

 

     Saturday morning I prepared my camera, filled my go cup with coffee and started the van for my trip to Bentonsport and Joy Hanson’s “Hand Piecing, Appliqué & Quilting class. Driving past the Inn and the Retreat instantly had me thinking about long ago and the incredible history in this area. My next thoughts were of Joy’s class and how it ties in with all the history of Van Buren County. The countryside reminded me of a patchwork quilt with the greens of the grass and buds on the trees, the black soil being prepared for planting that would soon be hidden beneath a bountiful crop. Each trip through the county is a new and exciting experience as the colors change and the display of crops produces an ever changing palette filled with beauty and wildlife.

     I arrived at the historic Mason House in Bentonsport and introduced myself to our student who had come from Boone Iowa to experience a Villages Folk School class and enjoy a stay at the Mason House. I always enjoy visiting the classes because I have a chance to learn from the instructors as they teach their students. Joy and her student, Sally Tanner, sat at the table covered with fabric pieces cut into hexagon shapes and carefully stitched each one over a piece of stiff paper cut in the same shape. She told me of how the women traveling westward in the wagon trains would spend their days such as this preparing pieces of fabric to be stitched into useful quilts for the cool evenings. It seems that everywhere I go in this county there is a constant reminder of history and how in many ways it has affected our lives today. The arts have evolved from family to family and artist to artist and still provide a lifestyle that allows creativity to shape our character.

     Living the arts in Van Buren County can and will provide the catalyst needed to blend our lives together in such a way that others will want to experience it. This is what keeps them coming back to the folk school classes and enjoying life here in the villages.

     You can enjoy this same excitement by taking one of our many Villages Folk School classes. Go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com and find the class that you have always wanted to experience. Call us today at 319-592-3700 and register for what may be the thrill of a lifetime. Enjoying a class with one of our gifted artist instructors will give you a first hand look at living the arts here in Van Buren County.


Villages Folk School class schedule for April and May:

7 Step Chair Caning, 16 April; 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.

     We invite you to take a class at the Villages Folk School and see what so many from around the Midwest and the state of Iowa are raving about. Call our office at 319-592-3700 and register today.

“The Villages Folk School on Iowa Public Television”

     Last weekend the Villages Folk School segment of the “Iowa’s Simple Pleasures” program aired on Iowa Public Television. Dan Kaercher, editor-in-chief of Midwest Living magazine, who hosts the show enjoyed a day in classes at the Villages Folk School and was impressed with his experience. Dan’s comment was, “If Dan Kaercher can learn to draw at the Villages Folk School, then most of the rest of us can, too.” I have heard that resounding theme over and over again from our many folk school students. The ability to make the arts so easily adaptable to each individual student and to break it down to an understandable format is the gift I admire most in our artist instructors. Not only do they accomplish this in their classes, but they give freely of their years of experience to make the learning process one that will endure for years to come. This is not a simple task, to break 30 years of artistic talent and experience down to understandable context, but the opportunity for you to “live the arts” with these gifted artists is what the Villages Folk School provides for you.

     Our class schedule is available for you on our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com or you can contact our office at 319-592-3700. The classes are designed to give you a hands-on learning experience with our artists and a chance to complete a quality project at the same time. Look through our class schedule and register for your first class. If you want to know more about the classes look at the class descriptions on the website and get to know your artist by browsing through their bio’s.

Villages Folk School class schedule for April and May:

     Hand Piecing, Appliqué & Quilting, 9-10 April; 7 Step Chair Caning, 16 April; 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.

     Come see what many students from around Iowa and the Midwest are talking about. We look forward to having you join us at one of our next classes.

“Folk School classes held in Keosauqua last week”

     Last week our folk school instructor, Pat Crawford from Cantril, was teaching classes on spinning and scrimshaw carving. All three days of classes were held in the parsonage of the historic Congregational Church in Keosauqua. This was a perfect setting for the class as the living room offered a very natural setting for the spinning wheels. Thursday was spent discussing the types of wools and their preparation for spinning. Cleaning, combing, and dyeing require attention to the wool so that the end product will be a yarn perfect for knitting or crocheting. We had students from Davenport, Polk City, and Mount Pleasant, Iowa plus one student from Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin. They enjoyed the setting for the class and the beautiful scenic drive into Van Buren County. Their stay included eating at the various restaurants in Keosauqua plus a leisurely drive through the surrounding country side and state park.

     Saturday’s class taught the art of scrimshaw carving to the couple from Davenport. This was the second time for Jeanne Knape to visit us at the folk school and we are happy to see our students return for more classes.

     The focus of the Villages Folk School is to offer classes in each of the twelve villages so that students will have a chance to experience each village as well as trade in the local establishments. This spreads the tourist dollars around our county and provides income to the many businesses. The folk school board is constantly at work seeking to improve the number of classes and students we bring into our county. We invite you to join with us in this great endeavor by becoming a friend of the folk school. Go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com for more information. Your sponsorship dollars will help as we build our program to improve life for all of us here in Van Buren County.

     Taking a class at the Villages Folk School is a joy everyone needs to experience. The many classes we offer allow you to chose something you have always wanted to try and to spend the day learning from one of our talented folk school artist instructors. The registration process is easy so why not call us today at 319-592-3700 and start living the arts with us at the Villages Folk School. The class calendar is viewable on our website but please call us for any questions you may have.

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

Container Candles, 2 April; Shaker Boxes, 2-3 April; Hand Piecing, Appliqué & Quilting, 9-10 April; 7 Step Chair Caning, 16 April; Intermediate Knitting, 23 April; Beginning Blacksmithing, 23-24 April; Printmaking, 29-30 April.

     We regret to announce that the 2011 Writer’s Conference will be rescheduled due to a last minute withdrawal of our Keynote Speaker for personal reasons.

     Now is the time for you to come experience one of our classes at the Villages Folk School. Register today by calling 319-592-3700 or going to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com and get ready for the time of your life!

     See us live on Iowa Public Television! The “Iowa's Simple Pleasures” show will air on March 31st at 8 pm and on April 2nd at 8:30 pm. and will include a segment filmed here in Van Buren County. It will also be available on the Iowa Public Television website.

“Three classes highlight last week’s folk school agenda”

     Ladies from Wayland and Winfield Iowa were in town on Thursday last week to take part in Betty Printy’s “Artisan Bread Making Made Easy” class. This is the third week for this class and it never ceases to amaze me as I witness the joy that our students exhibit when they spend the day in Betty’s kitchen learning to make and bake artisan bread. Not only is this a very popular class, but everyone is turning out some incredible loaves of bread. Students and teacher alike are having a fun time baking bread in this awesome class. You just have to experience it for yourself and you will soon be turning out your own loaves of fresh baked bread. Call our office today at 319-592-3700 and register for our next Artisan Bread Making class.

     On Saturday two classes were being taught at the Congregational church in Keosauqua. Joy Craig and Reni Pappin were teaching a class in needle felting. They had many items on display to show the versatility in this craft. I enjoy seeing the many different art forms as I visit the Villages Folk School classes.

     Vern Ramsey was teaching a class on chair caning with flat reed splits. His student who was from Des Moines told me that this was the only place she found in the state of Iowa that taught chair caning in flat reed splits. She was pleased to learn how to refurbish her antique chair with a new cane seat. I spend some time going from one class to the other and taking my photos. It was a great day as everyone enjoyed their class instruction.

     If you really want to have a great weekend just register for one of our many folk school classes and get ready to have some fun. You can find our class calendar on the website at www.villagesfolkschool.com or call our office at 319-592-3700 for more information.

     For those of you who do not have internet access here is a list of our upcoming classes: A Twist in Time Spinning I & II, 24-25 March; Needle Felting, 26 March; Hand Piecing, Appliqué & Quilting, 26-27 March; Container Candles, 2 April; Shaker Boxes, 2-3 April; 7 Step Chair Caning, 10 April; Hand Piecing, Appliqué & Quilting, 9-10 April; Intermediate Knitting, 23 April.

     We regret to announce that the 2011 Writer’s Conference will be rescheduled due to a last minute withdrawal of our Keynote Speaker for personal reasons.

     Our Villages Folk School is an experience in living the arts that will put you in touch with your creative side and give you an opportunity to learn from a gifted artist instructor. Call us today and make your reservation. We look forward to seeing you at the next folk school class.

“Wheels are turning at the Villages Folk School”

    

     The trip across the hills of Van Buren County is always a delight and this last weekend was not a disappointment as I drove to Betty Printy’s pottery studio in Bentonsport. The fields are showing even more of the greenery of spring and it reminded me of how much I love the changing seasons in southeast Iowa. The young fox I saw bounding across the road was also enjoying the early signs of summer and weather more suited for outdoor play. The wheels were turning when I arrived at the studio so I went to work snapping photos that serve to lock this moment in time for the students who attend our folk school classes. This was the second weekend of a five-session beginning pottery class that is always a fun time for the students. Betty never ceases to amaze me as she turns her years of experience into easy to understand segments and allows each student to internalize her knowledge in a way that makes sense to them. The work that they turn out is a perfect example of the quality instruction offered in this class.

     March is only half gone and we have many more classes to offer you. Go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com and see for yourself the many classes available to you. If you have any questions give us a call at 319-592-3700 and Gloria will be happy to help you.

     For those of you without internet access here is a list of our upcoming classes for March: Chair Caning with Flat Reed Splits, 19 March; A Twist in Time Spinning I & II, 24-25 March; Needle Felting, 26 March; and Hand Piecing, Appliqué & Quilting, 26-27 March.

     We regret to announce that the 2011 Writer’s Conference will be rescheduled due to a last minute withdrawal of our Keynote Speaker for personal reasons.

     The Villages Folk School invites you to join us for a weekend experience in one of our many classes. Our campus is 485 sq. miles as we include all 12 of the villages in Van Buren County for our class sites. Register for a class and get ready to have the time of your life as you live the arts at the Villages Folk School.

“Folk School classes continue as Spring begins to invade Van Buren County”

     The classes at the Villages Folk School seem to be the only constant as the weather ducks in and out of winter and spring. Last weekend I enjoyed my drive west, out J40 from Bonaparte, to the village of Bentonsport where Betty Printy was teaching one of her five segment classes on Beginning Pottery. The drive stirred up my desire for spring as I could see patches of field grass already beginning their change to the lush green of summer. “It won’t be long”, I said to myself as I envisioned the fields of green and the leaves that form the summer canopy of the lush hardwood trees. Soon the animals will come out of their winter slumber and be visible to the passer-by as we travel throughout Van Buren County.

     I arrived at Betty’s pottery studio and prepared my camera for the action. Her student, Jacklyn Smith from Brighton, Iowa, was at the pottery wheel learning how to center clay and form the bowl shape while Betty stood next to her offering her constructive remarks to assure the correct procedure. This is always a treat for me to witness as the students experience the years of knowledge Betty conveys in each remark. The end results are always pleasing, but the process of getting to that place is what the folk school experience is all about. This is not about rushing through a list of procedures, but about taking the time to internalize everything the instructor is sharing and then applying it through your own artistic talents. Learning to be creative and establishing some correct disciplines in an art form will make your personal experience in the arts one that will endure the sands of time. For Jacklyn this is just beginning and will continue to blossom as she moves through each phase of the beginning pottery classes. I think the excitement in watching this unfold is nearly as appealing as the experience itself. We will be back again next weekend to watch as the class continues.

     I completed my pictures and loaded up my camera for the drive back to Bonaparte where Meg King was teaching an intermediate knitting class. Her two students today were not new to our classes as they were here last year in the beginning knitting class. It is great to see the students return to take their skills to a higher level. Meg told me she enjoys the quiet time of sitting in the old Victorian parlor and knitting while she shares her knowledge with the students. I think the students enjoy it as much as Meg as they are always talkative and smiling as they go about their work. I am often reminded of songs as I experience life and today I was thinking of Mac Davis’s “Stop and Smell the Roses”. Surely this was what was going on in the parlor as the ladies knitted, shared with each other and enjoyed each others company. Yes, indeed you’ve got to stop and smell the roses along the way and the Villages Folk School in scenic Van Buren County Iowa is a great place to do just that!

     If you would like to know more about our school you can visit our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com or call our office at 319-592-3700. Our website offers you a complete listing with artist bio’s and class descriptions for each of our class subjects. We hope you take the time to look through our website and discover for yourself the many opportunities our folk school offers. For a firsthand look at some of our past classes click on our Blog link on the bottom of the home page and see for yourself. On the right hand side of the blog page is a series of slideshows that may be accessed “full screen” by simply clicking on the picture. Any questions you have may be directed to our office by phone or by email at villagesfolkschool@gmail.com

     For those of you without internet access here is a list of our upcoming classes for March: Container Candles, 5 March; Scrimshaw a Pendant, 5 March; Beginning Knitting, 12 March; Chair Caning with Flat Reed Splits, 19 March; A Twist in Time Spinning I & II, 24-25 March; Needle Felting, 26 March; and Hand Piecing, Appliqué & Quilting, 26-27 March.

     We regret to announce that the 2011 Writer’s Conference will be rescheduled due to a last minute withdrawal of our Keynote Speaker for personal reasons.

     We are proud of our school and the many fine artists who live in this county and share their talents as instructors at the Villages Folk School. Their life has become one of “living the arts” and the beauty of the Villages of Van Buren County serves as an inspiration to their creative spirits. We invite you to join them for what may be the most fun-filled experiences of your life. Call us today at 319-592-3700 and reserve your place in our next class.

“Living the Arts at the Villages Folk School”

     The Villages Folk School is not just a destination spot for taking a class, but an opportunity for you to relax in scenic Van Buren County Iowa and experience a way of life through the eyes of one of our folk school artists. The art form that you decide is right for you will be shared through the eyes of an instructor who lives it every day in his or her profession. The arts truly come alive when you experience them in this way. One of our 27 artist instructors will break down their daily schedule and take you through the process in a way that will prepare you for your own success as an artist. If you only wish to enjoy the class and return again and again to experience the many different art forms we teach then that is also possible. Joining us this past weekend were students from Moline, Illinois and from Keokuk, Iowa. It was another chance for Betty Printy and April Ziegler to share the process of making Artisan Bread and at the same time another group of ladies were enjoying a crotchet class taught by Meg King.

     As always, I set out to visit the classes and get a chance to welcome the students to our folk school. Of course I never go away empty handed at the bread making class. Betty never fails to have fresh bread available for sampling and I enjoy the treat of trying the different recipes. You should join us some weekend and learn how easy it is to make and bake your own Artisan bread. Students in each class always remark about how easy it is to produce a quality loaf of bread once they have spent a day in Betty’s kitchen. Betty’s daughter, April Ziegler, is on hand to help with the class and provide more instructor time for each of the students. You’ll have to try this class! We guarantee it will be a fun experience and how can you go wrong when you have learned to produce your own fresh bread.

     Meg King was busy teaching her group to crotchet. The class is held in the parlor of an 1865 Victorian home which offers the perfect ambiance for this activity. The ladies have time to learn the crotchet craft as well as visit for the entire day. Meg said she always enjoys the time in the house as she also teaches the art of knitting. Several students have progressed from beginning students to intermediate level work. The classes are designed so as to give you solid instruction that will increase your level of expertise and help you become very proficient at the craft.

     Call us at 319-592-3700 and register for one of our classes or go online to www.villagesfolkschool.com and see for yourself the many classes available to you at the Villages Folk School.

     2011 also features our first annual writer’s conference; The Villages Folk School Writer’s Conference 2011. This event being held on September 23, 24, & 25 will not only feature New York Times Best Selling Authors but literary agents, publishers and many other experts in the field of writing from around the country. We encourage you to get your registration in early because this event will have limited seating and we expect it to fill up quickly. Contact us at the folk school office for more information. Our phone number is 319-592-3700 or you may go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com and check out our class descriptions, artist bios and more.

     Don’t hesitate to register for your class and join us for an experience in living the arts here at the Villages Folk School.