Fund-A-Need Program
Folk School Stories: Karen and Paul Rusello
Karen and Paul have made a point of donating to the Folk School each year since they began coming (made even better by gift matches by each of their employers). “Early on, we realized how much it takes for the school to do what it does. We knew that, in the early days, it was the community coming together that made the school a reality, and we want to carry on that tradition,” Karen said.
Upcoming Class Collection
Celebrating Shaker Style
The Shakers continue to be celebrated for their contributions to American crafts. The Shakers’ diverse pieces combined beautifully simple design and exceptional function, culminating in remarkable works that remain relevant today. During our upcoming Shaker Week, set for November 3-9, 2019, we invite you to gain inspiration from these dedicated craftsmen, and create works that honor this distinctive style.
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RECENT STORIES
Winter Dance Week: Dance in the New Year at the Folk School
Ring in the New Year at the Folk School! This popular year-end traditional dance and music celebration will feature American contras & squares and English country dancing with glorious live music. This lively week also offers rapper and long-sword dance workshops, group singing, jam sessions, and more. Winter Dance Week offers a unique combination of top-notch callers, teachers, and musicians.
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Shaker Herbs, Roots, Barks, and Lore with Jamie Sparks
Have you always been drawn to the idea of using herbs to make your own products, teas, drinks, and food? Immerse yourself in weeklong class, Shaker Herbs, Roots, Barks, and Lore, taught by herbalist Jamie Sparks during Shaker Week, November 3–9. Explore how Shakers used plants to be self-reliant and to connect to the natural world. Jamie has a lot of wisdom to share, so let’s learn a little more about her experience and what’s in store for the class. Enjoy our interview!CP: How did you get your start in herbalism?
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The Folk School Cookbook
Join Us for Fall Festival: October 5 & 6
Join us on October 5 & 6 for our biggest event of the year, the Folk School’s Fall Festival. This treasured annual celebration of Appalachian culture, held on the Folk School’s Brasstown, North Carolina campus, heralds its 45th anniversary in October.
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Remembering Danny Wilson
We are mourning the loss of our dear friend, Danny Wilson. He touched the lives of so many of us, and he will be greatly missed. He loved to dance at the Folk School, and we are very honored to have his family establish a dance scholarship fund in his name.
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Interview with Anna Fariello, Author of “Craft & Community: JCCFS 1925–1945”
If you love the Folk School and are interested in our history, I highly recommend curling up with Anna Fariello’s wonderful new book, Craft & Community, which explores the first 20 years of the Folk School, with a focus on Olive Dame Campbell. Earlier this summer, Fariello was given a Lifetime Achievement Award during the annual meeting of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. In addition to Craft & Community, Fariello has written numerous books about craft, curated many shows, and she developed the online Craft Revival archive. Let’s get to know more about an impressive WNC craft powerhouse! Enjoy our interview! Anna FarielloCP: What is your connection to the Folk School?
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Photo Memories from Intergenerational Week 2019
Every year during Intergenerational Week in July, youths ages 12 and up have an opportunity to take classes side-by-side with a parent, grandparent, or other special relative or guardian. It is inspiring to see family members working together in the studios collaborating on projects, working together, and sharing ideas and laughs. This year, from July 14 through July 20, students made tables in the Woodworking Studio, baked cakes in the Cooking Studio, threw pots in the Clay Studio, and so much more. One young student named Christian crafted creations in leather working made from hides he trapped and tanned himself. To see more projects and to take a glimpse at what students did during Intergenerational Week 2019, view the photo album below or on Facebook. Registration for Intergenerational Week 2020 will open in January.
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Learn to Call Dances in Our Dance Callers’ Workshop
Have you always wanted to learn to call? Join Diane Silver for a week of all-day, hands-on, calling experience and mentorship. The Dance Callers’ Workshop emphasizes program planning, teaching techniques, working with beginners and effectively using live music. Individualized instruction can also include various styles of traditional square dance calling. Two daily practice sessions with a group of real live dancers and nightly public dances ensure plenty of microphone time, particularly because the class is limited to 6 students. Register today!
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Hand-cut Stencils & Screen Printing with Jen Swearington
We are excited to have two Surface Design & Printmaking classes coming up this month with Jen Swearington. Learn to create Hand-cut Stencils for Surface Design (June 7-9) or techniques for Screen Printing on Fabric (June 9–15).
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Paper Thread Sculptural Basketry with Aimee Lee
If you are interested in basketry, paper art, or weaving, and want to learn new techniques, materials, and form, don’t miss our upcoming class with Aimee Lee, Paper Thread through Asia, scheduled for June 9–15, 2019. You will discover ancient techniques of transforming paper into thread, cord, small weavings, and sculptural basketry. Based on Korean and Japanese traditions of jiseung (paper basketry) and shifu (paper cloth), you will learn to spin one-ply thread and twist two-ply cord in completely different ways.
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Thank You for a Wonderful Friends & Family Day
We had a wonderful time at our first-ever Friends & Family Day on May 11! Community members of all ages toured our open studios, participated in hands-on making, watched demonstrations, enjoyed music & dance performances, savored local food, and learned all about the Folk School.
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A Spring Tradition at the Folk School: Dancing around the Maypole
When winter fades and the trees and shrubs burst into glorious bloom, the Folk School tractor lumbers out of the shed and is given a circular turn to mow around the Maypole field. For the last dozen years or more it’s been Jan or John Clarke who climbs to the top of the twenty-foot pole and wedges there a wooden ring holding many pairs of colorful ribbons. As he lets each ribbon drop to the ground, the inevitable wind tangles them up faster than we can put them in the hands of eager children and “grown-ups,” ready to weave them around the pole to the sound of the fiddle, accordion, and banjo.
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White Coconut Cake with Lemon Curd Filling
This lovely cake is perfect for Easter, May Day, or Mother’s Day, a wedding or baby shower or a spring birthday. It’s both beautiful and scrumptious and tastes like the very epitome of spring. If, for no other reason, you want to simply make it to mark the season, share it proudly and lovingly with friends and family.
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Traces of Beauty: Rust Printing with Lauren Koch
Expand your ideas about printmaking with found objects in a new weekend class taught by artist Lauren Koch: Traces of Beauty: Rust Printing. Rust printing is a unique way of mark making that utilizes steel and iron to create images on paper and cloth. I recently talked to Lauren about her work, rust printing, and her relationship with the Folk School. Enjoy our interview!
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