Have fun exploring the many possibilities water soluble oil pastels have to offer–either on their own or in combination with other mediums. Subject matter is your own choice; work from photos, life, or your wildest imagination. All levels welcome; some drawing and/or painting experience helpful.

Like cloth, written language can be found everywhere. Yet the intrinsic power of words–their ability to transcend basic “information sharing” to express ideas and convey sentiment–adds immeasurably to their appeal as patterns on the page. With the goal to inspire weavers to expand their repertoire of decorative approaches, this class will provide step-by-step instruction for using inlay to weave letters and words in cloth. Should be able to warp and weave independently.

Enrich and enliven your creative practice through exploring the unlimited possibilities of textile collage in your mixed-media surface design work. Explore embellished textile techniques, appliqué, quilting, thread and bead embroidery, and photographic images, and learn how to incorporate these new skills into your own projects. Explore composition and design, how to communicate through textile art, and ideas for presenting your finished pieces.

Join an instructor inspired by Mayan men in Guatemala to give this versatile form of fiber art a try. Start with a large hook, two wool yarns, and loose single crochet stitches and progress to tapestry crocheting a bag with a beaded design to be felted in class. Build on new skills, create a cylindrical basket using a smaller hook, beaded cotton thread, and tight stitches, then tapestry crochet a flat piece with your own or your instructors motif. Beginner through advanced levels welcome. 

Learn essential concepts in woodturning design and process by creating small functional and decorative objects. Begin the week mastering the basics with weed pots and small vases, then move on to crafting wooden bowls and explore further with wood stem wine glasses and hummingbird houses. Continue with projects of your choice, enhancing your skills and broadening your creative expression. Both beginner and intermediate students are welcome. $

Create whimsical and elegant sculptures that hang in your garden using copper tubing, sheet, wire, and found objects. Scale up basic jewelry-making techniques like coiling, sawing, soldering, and cold connections to create rain chains, tree dangles, and mobiles. Add extra whimsy and personality to your hangings by incorporating upcycled glass or metal “charms” into the links. All levels welcome, but good hand strength is a must. $

Forge a custom, steel table base to be paired with a beautiful hardwood top in this dynamic blacksmithing class. Choose between two guided designs–one beginner-friendly and the other incorporating traditional joinery techniques for intermediate level students. Leave with a functional, heirloom-quality table that reflects both your skills and dedication to craft. Designed for intermediate students; also welcomes motivated beginners ready to learn, work hard, and grow their skills. $

Louisiana-style cooking combines elements from West African, French, Spanish, and Native American cuisines and pairs them with ingredients readily available in the American South-resources like rice, okra, and crawfish. Explore the flavors and techniques used in traditional dishes. Learn to brown meat, whisk up a roux, make gravy, and prepare gumbo. If time and weather allow, we may also do some outdoor cooking in the traditional Louisiana style. $

Bring your voice, instrument, or both as we explore the musical traditions of Southern Appalachia together. Learn songs and tunes with fun melodies, harmonies, and accompaniment. All stringed instruments welcome! Make good music in a friendly atmosphere and take away a treasure-trove of string band music from a wide variety of sources. This class is accessible for confident beginners and also has plenty of challenges for more advanced musicians and singers.

Join a Vesterheim gold medalist as your instructor on a journey into the world of Scandinavian flat plane carving. This century old tradition is, at it’s heart, the art of simplicity–simple cuts, simple characters, simple tools. Spend the week with other Scandinavian hooligans as you experience history and carving and ultimately create your own unique figure or figures! Class is open to beginner and advanced carvers.

Explore the traditional art of Carolina Gullah basketry with a fifth-generation weaver. Learn the coiling technique to create a handwoven basket from sweetgrass, bullrushes, and pine needles, lashed with palmetto palm strips. Benefit from the instructor’s generational wisdom on how to use these naturally grown materials to form a beautiful basket using patience and love. Join us for this immersive week of Gullah basketry history and heritage. All levels welcome. $

Millions of wine bottles are discarded every year, however their thickness and color variety make them perfect for an array of recycling projects. Learn how to cut bottles and melt glass in a kiln, then transform them into various artistic glass pieces including jewelry, tiles, wind chimes, and garden ornaments. Beginners welcome.

Take next steps on your leather carving journey as you explore advanced designs with more detail and complexity, including realistic figures like animals, flowers, and feathers. Practice tool use and learn how to design intricate, lifelike patterns. Tool and paint a life-sized, eagle feather with a carved figure. Pieces created during the week can be made into coasters, framed art, and more. Intended for students with leatherworking experience who already own their tools.

Enjoy an introduction to drawing focused on the study of plants and possibly the creatures they support. Use classic tools–graphite, ink, conté, and charcoal–to learn several essential drawing approaches and techniques including abstracting forms, gesture, contour, and rendering value. Practice capturing what you see outdoors, as well as working from photo references in the studio. All levels welcome.

Get a thorough overview of basic forging techniques–tapers, upsets, half-on/half-off blows, and slitting and drifting–as well as fire building and management. Work on hooks, brackets, and simple tooling. Expect to gain comfort in your forging ability, particularly with multiple-piece projects. Beginners welcome.

Discover the gourd as a limitless canvas to explore your artistic creativity. Use coiling, weaving, carving, filigree, cutwork, and woodburning to create decorative and functional art gourds. Add color using dyes, alcohol inks, and paint to enhance the gourds natural beauty. Embellish with decorative rim treatments, beads, and natural materials. All levels welcome. $

Low pressure, high pleasure! Discover the joy of singing in glorious group harmony. Learn rounds, part songs, folk songs, and international songs, all broken down into easily learnable pieces. Maybe even experiment with birthing a new musical creation of your own. Singers of all abilities, styles, and experience are welcome.

Take a wildflower walk through the North Carolina woods! Stitch a new local, mountain flower each day, such as Lady Slipper, trillium, and more. Make a creative fabric journal that includes stumpwork flowers, stitched text, and collage. Embellish with ribbons and unique hand-dyed fabrics, cheesecloth, velveteen, linen, and velvet for each flower. Learn a unique way to assemble your book with wire-ties or twigs, ribbons and buttons; other finishing options available as well. All levels welcome.