06/09/2022
The artisans at the Rochester Folk Art Guild are happy to announce that the Craft Weekend, a popular family event, is on for August 11 through 14. Registration is now open for the eight classes and the plan is for full enrollment this summer. There are options to stay over in one of the Guild buildings, to camp on the grounds, or to commute each day. There is also a Work Study option, to support the project/help behind the scenes and receive discounted tuition. All of the choices are laid out on the folkartguild.org website, under Craft Weekend.
This event has become a highlight of the year for the 65 year old craft community, both for the students and the instructors. There are 15 hours of studio time and the creative energy has ample time to flow. Thursday evening there is a welcome dinner, and a short session in each workshop to get acquainted. Then, there are two full days of instruction, with delicious home cooking for all three meals. Sunday’s schedule is a half-day, winding up after lunch with a fun session where each shop’s participants have a chance to show their new work.
The choice of classes covers the favorite Guild crafts, Pottery, Weaving, and Woodturning, but also includes new Earth Camp, Documentary Filmmaking, Block Printing, Writing Poetry, and finally Natural Dyeing and Eco Printing. Spaces fill up quickly, so it is a good idea to register soon online, and guarantee places. Often several family members attend together to share the creative experience.
As part of Craft Weekend this year, Edgar Brown, primitive technologist and Guild resident, will take participants into the woods on the farm’s property for experiential learning opportunities in the wild. Tracking wild animals, making shelter and fire from foraged materials, plant identification and uses, journaling and drawing are some of the new skills to be explored. The age range for this class is ten to sixteen. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend with their child.
Filmmaking is perfect for those who have shot a little video with their phones, but now want to learn how to make a compelling short film from their footage. Jim Lemkin is an experienced teacher who has made many short documentaries. He conveys a passion for the medium and the process, and always encourages his students to go further than they thought possible.
For those who wish to experiment in two dimensions, Linda Davis takes her class into the world of block printing. Students learn how to see and carve in negative space, since the white space that is cut away from the surface is as important to the design as the untouched inked space. Last year some chose to print onto cloth, too.
To register, and see slideshows of past classes go to folkartguild.org/craftweekend. The registrar, Beth Barnet, is available to answer questions about all the classes, accommodations, and covid protocols at marybeth.barnet@gmail.com.
