I had a wonderful chat with Claudia of Weavolution today. We were talking about the John C. Campbell Folk School and what it has to offer a student. So I thought I would write a short thread for those who have never been to the Folk School to get an idea of what we are all about.
The Folk School has four types of class sessions, weekend classes ( Friday night to Sunday after lunch), short week (Sunday to lunch on Friday), week long classes ( Sunday to Saturday) and week plus weekend ( Sunday to Sunday). Of course they vary in price due to the length of the class. We also have advance weeks in January that are more geared to the advanced student.
Here is an example of what you would do for one of my classes; Weavings of the Settlement School taught by Pam Howard and Barbara Miller. This class will be a week long class on July 11 - 17, 2010...this summer. This will be a round robin class, making some samples and some finished pieces. We will concentrate on the weavings that was made in the 1920,s, 30's and 40's from the nine different settlement schools that was accepted into the Southern Highlands Craft Guild.
These settlement schools developed all kinds of craft programs to help the Appalachian area men and women earn money in tough economic times. What can you learn from these weavers and these settlement school? How can you apply this information to today? You can come and learn history, see real samples, weave your own samples and finished pieces, enjoy a non-competitive atmosphere, relax and just have a good time. I am enclosing a photo of one of the many samples that we will weave in the class. This particular class is for students who can warp a loom on their own....but we also have other weaving classes that are for the very beginner.
So what do you get for you money when coming to the Folk School? You get to dive into your study of choice. You can stay on campus, eat family style dinning, dance, sing, visit other classes and enjoy the mountains of Western North Carolina. The John C. Campbell Folk School is lovely and a joy to look at.
So if you have any questions about this class or any other fiber class, I will be very happy to help answer your questions. The Folk School has been teaching and bring folks together since 1925.
Pam - Resident Weaver
Hi Pam,
Thanks for the background information. How difficult is it to get to the Folk School? Must you be able to drive or can you take a train and get a cab to the school for not too much money?
I don't drive any more and if I take a class at the Folk School would either have to arrange to come with a friend or try to find public type transportation. Do you know if that's possible?
Claudia
When I visited the folk school, I flew into Atlanta (I think...) and rented a car and drove up from there. Actually, my husband drove. I think it was about 2 hours, but I'm not 100% sure. There are two airports, both about the same distance away. The folk school people warned us about the windy mountain roads, but the roads were great.
The folk school does make a shuttle available from the airport, but it was very pricey. It was much cheaper for us to rent a car for the whole week we were there. Having said that, you don't need to have a car while you are on campus. Walking from the studios to the dining hall, etc., is very pleasant.
Cathy
Claudia
We often have students that can't or rather not dirve to the Folk School. Not a problem!!! With pre-arrangements with the Folk School office, students fly to Atlanta, Ga then catch a shuttle to the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. Some do rent a cars at the airport and drive up so that they might do some traveling about during the week. If you do come with out a car, not a problem, we have FS Host that will drive you to field trips...like to Yarn Circle ( local yarn shop), Bless My Stitches ( local quilt shop). Really not having a car is not a problem, there is always someone willing to drive.
I know of people who try to coordiniate their travels so they can travel together. Maybe this group could post when they are going to be at the Folk School and then, the area they are coming from. That might be helpful for sharing on gas.
Pam
