MFS Instructors
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Abi Fergus
Bushcraft Tracker
My philosophy... I see teaching as a co-creation. I hold space for interactive classes in which everyone present builds our learning by contributing their questions, experiences, hypotheses, and knowledge. I teach tracking and tracking is a beautiful combination of science and story telling that we weave together. Short Bio I am dedicated to stewarding connection to the ecosystems we depend on and the organisms that make up these food webs. When we have a relationship to the land and the water, and to all the beings who live reciprocally with the land and water, it is much more difficult for us to exploit nature’s offerings or to feel alone in this world. I hold a master’s degree and have studied conservation with a focus on wildlife biology, human dimensions in carnivore coexistence, and Indigenous approaches to conservation. I have been employed and contracted to apply this learning in monitoring wolf populations, teaching others how to track wolves and other wildlife, collaborating with farmers in coexisting with carnivores, and sharing knowledge about wildcrafting traditional foods and medicines. I value teaching wildlife tracking one way to help us grow our relationships to the natural world, which we are part of.
Amanda Howell
Farmer
My Philosophy... My husband Paul and I are tree-hugging, worm-loving, bee-friendly, free-range, chemical-free, small-scale farmers and outdoorsy people. We dug up the mown lawn to grow heirloom vegetables without chemical pesticides, and started selling our produce a year later. We believe people can take back their food future from the agro-industrial complex one garden at a time, and we think there are lots of reasons why it is important to do so. We like to share what we’ve learned and what we works for us, and learn more ourselves along the way. My Story... I grew up on a small farm, from a family of many generations of small farmers. A love for land, nature, and growing things has been with me since childhood. When I was about 6 years old, I began building rock gardens and moving plants into them as play. Since then, everywhere I have lived I’ve grown gardens, or taken plants with me, and explored every garden I could manage to see on travels. I have a Master’s degree in Medical and Biological Illustration, did an intensive research project on the history of botanical illustration, and have taken field botany courses through CMU and UofM. My husband Paul and son Teddy and I live on a tiny farm called Dragonwood, and we grow a wide variety of plant foods, and chickens for eggs and meat. We have sold plants, herbs, vegetables, flowers and eggs at farmers’ markets every summer since 2009. We specialize in heirloom tomatoes, garlic, and unusual and gourmet veggies. Paul is also a geologist and former college professor and computer guy, and I work part-time as a licensed midwife.
Andrea Blohm
Milliner
Millinery isn't an accessible skill to learn as it is quite the investment in tools and supplies. I enjoy sharing my supplies and knowledge with students who are just looking to make a hat to wear and those who are interested in becoming a milliner. I grew up in a small town on Lake Michigan and was always surrounded by crafts and art. I studied fashion design and while in London, England, had my first millinery class and fell in love with the craft. I am also a co-owner of Millinery Meet Up, the premier millinery learning conference in the US.
Anna Keene
My Story... Anna Keene, an artist blacksmith who now lives in Ypsilanti creates organic forms from materials otherwise seen is industrial. Her finished pieces mimic the shapes found in nature and often convey a flowing affect that resonates with the material in a one’s liquid state. She’s proud to carry on this work that her great, great grandmother did years ago in Tennessee. In 2000 Anna moved from Detroit to New Mexico. “It was like a landing in a new world and I was eager to soak it all in.” She began to work with a sculptor and furniture designer where she would discover the satisfaction of working with her hands and tools. After attending a handful of welding classes Anna befriended a local farrier who would become a mentor as she learned the craft a blacksmithing. “The underpinnings of my artistic inspiration are many: the vast landscapes in the people of New Mexico; where I began my studies as a blacksmith; the shapes of the plants and the twisted roots in the desert; the sustaining love and support from friends and family. From these sources, I’ve learned to see beneath surfaces, to discover the underlying layers, to be still in honor the natural objects.” In 2007 she became a mother to her son, Jasper. “ I suddenly have this amazing muse, who is very quickly offer me a new way of looking at life.”The pieces of work, and I produced in those next year’s.; hand, forged nest, cocoons, and tiny houses would tell the story of her becoming a mother. From there, she would go on to participate in art shows, and build impressive gates throughout the country.
Annette Shaffer
Fiber Artisan
My story... In our world of ever more polyester and plastic, I enjoy giving students the opportunity to work with wool, a natural fabric. Being part of the rug hooking community exposes me to many, wonderful wools which I happily share. In my classes, students explore the diverse, creative possibilities of wool by crafting a project using an assortment of wools. I always bring a colorful array of wools and textures for each project which students may choose from to make their piece unique. These dimensional, wool projects may combine various fiber techniques including hooking, quilling, stitching or embroidery as well as incorporating wire, twigs, old bed springs and other natural elements to create mixed media pieces. My hope is that everyone who takes a class with me, enjoys the process of “playing with wool”. I describe myself as a lifelong fiber craft person. I began traditional rug hooking almost 30 years ago when my husband and I bought a piece of property off grid and I was looking for a craft that did not require electricity. My hooking soon evolved into creating shaped, cut out and 3-dimensional hooked pieces, as well as dyeing wool. Many of my pieces are mixed media, and often combine various fiber techniques. More recently, I have been exploring free form quilling with wool strips, both as flat and dimensional pieces, as stand-alone pieces or incorporated with rug hooking. My work has won awards at rug hooking shows and been published in national magazines. I also teach several dimensional wool and quilling workshops through-out the year. I am a member and office holder in three fiber arts guilds.
Atticus Ketering
Blacksmith
My Philosophy... I emphasize efficient body mechanics, and dispelling myths about the process of blacksmithing. With a solid working knowledge of the material along side healthy body mechanics you can accelerate the learning process. My Story... My name is Atticus McFadden-Keesling and depending on whom you ask I am either a blacksmith or a mad scientist. In order to further my craft I have worked and studied in many different shops across the country and internationally. I am fascinated by the organic movement that occurs from the process of forging and do my best to incorporate it in my designs. Everything I make is forged hot, In my shop I use a mechanical hammer, hand hammers, anvil, and many chisels to do my work. Metal is a fascinating material, and at temperature, it moves like clay.
Ben Ernst
Chair Caner
Weaving is my therapy. I find both the challenge and the slow and steady progression of the project to be very satisfying and restorative in its own way. I think my teaching philosophy reflects this experience. While we will focusing on creating a quality final result, of course, the enjoyment of the process itself is equally as important. A born and raised SE Michigander, Ben originally learned to cane as a 4H project. Since then, he's explored all sorts of caning-adjacent crafts like rushwork, Danish cording, Shaker tape weaving, and braided rugs. He fits his weaving projects in between working in economic development by day, restoring vintage campers and Volvos, being daddy to Maisie (6) and Sam (4), and husband to his fantastic wife Laura.
Carly Wright
My Story... I grew up on the East Side of Detroit and I attended college at Wayne State University where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Apparel Design and Merchandising. I took my first sewing class in college and my love of sewing began there. After college, I continued to make my own clothing and accessories. I was grateful to be able to call upon a great aunt who was a seamstress to help me and provide tips during weekend visits. Eventually, I decided to try my hand at bag making. I started with fabric and vinyl bags but I really wanted to work with leather. The first leather work class I took was sandal making at Michigan Folk School. I was hooked. I've taken several other courses at the school and continued to build my skills at home. I love crafting and learning new skills. I have tried everything from jewelry making to knitting but the versatility and endless possibilities for creativity and learning have made leather craft by far my favorite.
Ben White
Bushcrafter
My story... I like my students to have a hands on experience. Nothing builds confidence like actual "dirt time". Learning the skills needed to survive without modern conveniences gives the student a sense of accomplishment and shows them what they can achieve. Short Bio I've lived in Michigan my whole life, and grew up camping and hiking with my family. As I got older I started backpacking and then delved into actual survival training. I am certified in basic, intermediate and advanced survival; as well as wilderness and remote first aid. I enjoy bushcrafting and practicing folk skills and getting out in the great outdoors whenever possible
Dawson Moore
My Philosophy... Sloyd, or slöjd, is a Scandinavian based handcraft movement and educational system. It tends to fall under the umbrella of "green woodworking", which mostly refers to woodwork that starts with "green" (still wet) wood, and is differentiated from woodwork that uses more typical kiln dried wood. Items produced through Sloyd are meant to be practical for everyday use around the home: spoons, bowls, cups, buttons, coat hooks, furniture, etc. Practicing Sloyd encourages self-sufficiency and an intimate knowledge of the local natural resources. Woodworking is the traditional focus, though other mediums include paper, textile, and metal. Within the woodworking craft, knife and axe skills form the foundation of the work. My Story... Dawson Moore lives and works on a sixth generation family farm in Harbor Springs, MI. After reestablishing roots at the farm in 2014, spoon carving became a full time obsession as he gained access to the native trees growing in the local forests. He spent the next several years harvesting his own wood, working it fresh from the log, and learning to use traditional hand tools and techniques to make a variety of spoons and other household items. More recently, he is focusing on designing and building stools and chairs. Even as he incorporates more modern working methods, he still feels a deep connection to the knowledge gained working directly from the woods with hand tools. Every chair still starts with a fresh log and an axe.
Deanne Bednar
My Philosophy... I see this as a time of joyful "re-weaving"! I am interested in the quality of connection between people and nature that promotes harmony with each other, and our "larger self", the environment, the world, that literally supports us! I love the process of learning & teaching skills that inspire a life-nourishing and co-creative "Way Forward"! My Story... Currently teacher / coordinator of Strawbale Studio since 2003. Art & Sustainable Futures teacher, Middle School 1968 - 1996. Studied with the Cob Cottage Company 1996. Illustrator of the World Pledge, and 3 books on natural building (Hand-Sculpted House+) MA in Social Ecology, Goddard College. Loves to teach, forage, craft, build.
Eileen Dickinson
My Philosophy... Beekeeping is best learned within a community of beekeepers, which for me is the community associated with Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary in Floyd, VA. I joyfully pass their wisdom on to those eager to serve the bee. My Story... Eileen is a life-long gardener and has kept bees since 2010 in a variety of hive types. She is a graduate of the 2 year program at Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary in Floyd VA and serves as a Mentor for them.
Eric Moore
My Philosophy... I always have the home baker in mind for my sourdough classes. I do my best to frame this craft around the time, space, and equipment realities that most of us regular working folks are living. From maintaining a thriving culture - or sourdough starter - to mixing and kneading techniques and adaptations, I show students how to achieve the best results at home. Also, I teach efficient methods to minimize both waste and clean-up. Beyond the production itself, if there's one thing that bread baking has shown me is its natural role (no bun, er, pun intended...) of community builder. Everything about it - from a personal, individual household level up to a professional level engenders community. It's ingredients are simple and cheap, "Breaking bread" is an invitation, a fundamental expression of sharing one's home and heart. One rarely sits down to eat an entire loaf of bread on their own. It is "the staff of life." Typically, one bakes not a single loaf, but enough to reasonably fill an oven. The results of baking in a full, as opposed to emptier oven are always superior. Strength in numbers... I don't preach charity, or mandate a social event around baking, but it's inherent in the craft. The bread itself does that work. I look forward to sharing with you...
Ethan Higgins
coming soon
Angela Martin
Folk Singer
I strongly believe that everyone can sing and that each of us can use our voice to help us connect with each other and to ourselves. I encourage those who have never sang in public before, or those who have been told that they shouldn't sing out loud to come and sing in a safe space with others of all skill levels. Singing is a powerful way to use your voice and it should be open to all! Short Bio Angie is a singer and song-leader who has a passion for community singing. She has been a performer and song circle leader since 2009 in both the Irish Hills and Ann Arbor area. Originally from Chicago and now at home in Michigan, Angie is a true midwesterner at heart and loves bringing people together to join voices in order to foster unity and connection.
My Story... I was born in 1942 in the small town of Bellevue, Michigan not long after my father went to serve in the war. When my father returned to us at the end of WWII, we moved to a small farm. Living on a small farm in a small town meant having animals in 4H. I graduated from high school and went into the Air Force. My sweetheart waited for me, and we eventually wed during her 4th year of college. We have been married for 57 years. We have two sons and two granddaughters. My wife and I have always enjoyed traveling. On a trip to England where I ate a lot of ploughman lunches in pubs, I wondered how each Stilton cheese was always a little bit different. It turns out that it was made locally not in big commercial plants. That was the beginning of my interest in making cheese. I have now been teaching cheesemaking for 24 years.
Gary Colles
Cheesemaker
Gina Ferrara
Stained Glass Artisan
Gina has been creating stained glass for over ten years and loves to bring color into spaces using as many light reflecting and refracting pieces as she can. She also makes mirrors that encourage self reflection and self love. Having learned the craft from a third generation glass artist, Gina believes that hands-on learning is integral to creating stained glass. She's still on her own journey of learning new techniques and methods, and never wants to stop! Coming all the way from Philadelphia in 2020, she now has a home studio in Hazel Park, MI.
Inge Bruneel
Baker
Not only do I love to bake, but I also have a deep curiosity about the science behind each step in the baking process. Many of us have experienced the frustration of starting a baking project, gathering all the ingredients, meticulously following the instructions, and still ending up with a result that looks nothing like the picture. It can be disheartening, and I completely understand that feeling. Far too often people give up. I can't tell you how many times people have told me: "I can cook, but I can’t bake!” I’m here to tell you that you absolutely CAN bake! My goal is to help you build confidence in your baking skills—not only by guiding you through each step of a recipe but also by explaining the reasoning behind those steps. Understanding the ‘why’ behind the process can transform your baking experience from a series of frustrating attempts into a rewarding and enjoyable journey. You have the potential to become a confident and skilled baker, and I’m excited to be part of your journey! Short Bio I am Inge Bruneel. As my name suggests, I wasn’t born in the United States; in fact, I lived in Belgium for the first 33 years of my life. It’s where I grew up, got married, started a family, and developed my first love for baking. Shortly before moving to the United States in 2017, I attended bakery school. However, it wasn’t until I found myself in a Michigan supermarket, staring at the loaves of bread, that my need to bake often truly emerged. No longer having access to a bakery around every corner anymore, I went on a mission to recreate as much patisserie, viennoiserie, and bread from home as I possibly could. It didn’t take long before I began selling my baked goods to the community, and eventually, I started teaching others the skills I had brought with me from Belgium and learned on my own. I soon discovered that I loved teaching even more than selling! And so here we are—I can’t wait to share my knowledge with all of you!
Ivan Soucy
My Story... My name is Ivan Soucy and I am an artist born in 1996 from Ann Arbor, Michigan. I studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for two years (2015-2017) focusing on experimental video and sound design before eventually switching schools and my medium to Metalsmithing at Wayne State (2019-2023). Outside of my academic and artistic pursuits, I work at a thrift store as a vintage and antique specialist selling and restoring antiques. I recently finished my BFA at Wayne State with a concentration in Metalsmithing and a minor in Blacksmithing. I have a variety of skills coming out of the metals program, most notably jewelry making, lost wax casting, hollowware/vessel raising, and blacksmithing. Metalsmithing requires a familiarity with the physical properties of many distinct types of metal, techniques, and processes for shaping and manipulating the material into the desired form, and considerable safety precautions to ensure proper handling of potentially dangerous machines and tools. Out of the many kinds of processes and techniques I have learned over the past four years, I have taken a special liking to form folding, chasing/repoussé, and bladesmithing. Some of my biggest inspirations as a metals artist are historical rather than contemporary; I am absolutely fascinated by the level of craftsmanship seen in centuries prior, especially when the lack of power tools is considered. I am particularly interested in historical arms and armor, partly because I study blade making and because I have been practicing medieval armored martial arts for the past six years. I am drawn to the field of metalsmithing due to the physicality it requires, I enjoy creative problem solving, being on my feet, and working with my hands. When I was primarily a video and sound artist, I struggled with the sedentary lifestyle and thus sought a better suited medium. In my previous work, I was interested in themes such as trance-like states of consciousness, meditation, dreams, and illusions and now I find that my years of experience in time-based mediums have influenced my object making in significant ways, both formally and conceptually.
Jen Davis
My Philosophy... I teach from a seed of curiosity rooted in the soil of enthusiasm, watered with nature’s mysteries and lit well by passion’s glow. My mission is to reconnect human beings with the natural world, facilitating an experiential awareness that we are not separate from the cycles of nature. I am curious about how these cycles operate, and about what brings a student to my class. I am enthusiastic about the mysteries of nature all around us and about my role in assisting my fellow humans in the pursuit of connection, no matter where they’re engaging from. My Story... I am a Southeast Michigan public land hunter, forager, fisher, and trapper. Having put down a deep taproot here, the more I learn about the place I am from, the more I fall in love with it. I work as a Recreation Specialist for Pittsfield Township Parks and Recreation and Naturalist, I also work as an independent Outdoor Educator. I volunteer as an Artemis Ambassador, as an advisory board member and instructor for Michigan Becoming an Outdoors Woman, and as a Hunter Safety Education Instructor. A little over ten years ago, I became obsessed with finding connection with my food, which led me to my local farmer’s market, then to growing and canning my own food, eventually I began foraging for wild edible plants and mushrooms… It wasn't long before I started to think about what it would take to learn to hunt and fish for my own wild protein. The connection and satisfaction I found through filling my slot in the natural order quickly became another driving force. I've always seen the importance of protecting our environment, but as I began to hunt and spend the kind of time in the natural world that is required of a hunter, I became increasingly aware of my own role in the natural order. It is clear to me now that we all, human and nonhuman, have an impact on the natural world with our actions, and because of that we need to consider those actions carefully.
Jennifer Malinowski
Spinner
Spinning yarn is something everyone can learn. We don’t strive for perfection, we strive to make fiber twist together to make usable yarn for weaving, needle arts, or just to say you make yarn! My grandmother taught me to knit at 8 years old. My fascination with spinning began with a school field trip to an historical museum. It wasn’t until 2010 that I started with a rickety old wheel and progressed to classes to become a Master Spinner. I abandoned that quest when I felt my creativity giving way to technical acumen. My passion for spinning, and spreading knowledge has lead me to start a local spinning group, hosting retreats and now joining the wonderful people at the Michigan Folk School.
Jim Mcdonald
Herbalist & Wildcrafter
My Philosophy... I seek in my teaching not to convey simple "uses" on plants, but how to understand the craft and practice of herbalism while always underscoring the importance of sustainability and stewardship of the plants and habitats we rely upon. My Story... In 1994, jim mcdonald's life changed when he drank tea from a wild plant he harvested from the land he lived upon. Since those first sips of strange tea, his life in the woods and meadows of southeast michigan has been centered on the plants & ecosystems of that land, and how he might share their virtues to restore wellness with those around him. jim's approach to herbcraft is deeply rooted in the land he lives upon, and blends traditional european folk influences with 19th century eclectic and physiomedical vitalism, which he conveys with story, experience, humour, common sense and lore to students, clients, random passersby and readers of his website www.herbcraft.org. He's taught classes throughout north america and is currently alternately writing “Foundational Herbcraft” and the “A Great Lakes Herbal”, in addition to articles for journals and other publications. jim is a community herbalist, a manic wildcrafter and medicine maker, and has been an ardent student of the most learned teachers of herbcraft… the plants themselves.
Jason Gold
My Philosophy... Many years ago, one line from an obscure song changed the direction of my life. The line is simple and something I heard many times before - “I want to be a Great Man.” In 1998, I set out on a philosophical journey to discover my own greatness, what it means to be great, and how it affects others. Now, more than 23 years later, I can confidently state that I have not achieved the popular definition of greatness. Instead what I have successfully achieved is the pursuit of universal greatness. My personal philosophy is not to become great, but to become a better person everyday; better to myself, to my family, to my community, to my world. This is accomplished through little steps, not grand gestures, and the power of FLOW. I teach people artisan crafting. Whether we are a tying a broom, designing a chair, or sewing a leather bag, my goal is to create an environment wherein a person can learn to harmonize their hands, head and heart together to achieve a wonderful product, a unique and rewarding experience, and the fulfillment of a community that cares. My Story... Born and raised in Michigan with the gift of gab and curiosity of a cat, I spent more time looking out the classroom window and daydreaming than studying the scribbles written on the blackboard by my teachers. Having been raised into a Jewish family, I honed my gift of rhetoric. It was both of my grandfathers who showed me the pride that one could have from working with my hands. My Papa Bernie was a master plumber and his work can still been seen in old Detroit today. My Grandfather Gordon was a handyman and painter who worked only with hand tools and crafted with a perfection that today is rarely seen. I decided at an early age that I was going to be a modern-day explorer, and I am proud to say that have not let my younger self down. I have explored positions as a leather worker, electrical journeyman, business owner, woodworker, homesteader, high school teacher, farmer, toymaker, historic preservationist, academic, book seller, remodeler, marketing director, baker, trainmaster, writer, researcher, broker, videographer, farmers market manger, and…..the list goes on and on. But the last ten years, I have taken all my experiences during my journey as a modern-day explorer and blended them to meet the needs of a folk school. Today, I am the Director of the Michigan Folk School and an instructor of broom craft, leather work, and wood.
Justin Polley
My Philosophy... All ships rise in the tide, we learn more working together. I peddle my knowledge wrapped in the art of food and drink, woodworking and carpentry, welding and metalwork, and leather smithing. My Story... With over 20 years of restaurant experience this restauranteur turned builder can teach you how to prepare a decadent meal and how to build the table to enjoy it from. In addition he has spent a great deal of time working towards being a certified welder. Also, having a considerable amount of leather working under his belt (that he made).
Kathy McMinn
Basketweaver
My Philosophy... There is no limit to the knowledge and creativity of basket making. My students are never too young, or too old to learn the skill. I particularly enjoy the excitement shown by beginning weavers when they’ve completed their first basket. Their first results are unique, and my students are filled with pride. My Story... My mother started me on this journey. She made me my first basket and then refused to make me anymore. From then on it was up to me. I did many years of classes, learned many basket weaving techniques and continue to refine my skills. Through the years, I’ve taught all skill levels in many groups, (4H, scouts, community centers, schools, etc.). I have also expanded to my own store to continue teaching, meeting new friends and carrying on this tradition that is thousands of years old.
Kelly Brandt
Fiber Artisan
It should be fun to learn new things! I want to share skills I have honed over a lifetime of curiosity about how things work. We need to have hands-on skills that allow us to complete satisfying creative projects; it keeps our brains snappy! I have been raising sheep here in Michigan and using their wool for about 45 years. I taught myself to felt wool, to spin, and to craft a number of other fiber and homesteading skills. I have been teaching for about 35 years, beginning with elementary school classes my children attended up to adult skill levels. I live outside of Lake Odessa with a passel of poultry and sheep.
Jessica Bowden
Leathersmith
As a personal lifelong learner, I am driven by the belief that the pursuit of knowledge and the embrace of new experiences are essential components of a fulfilling life. My teaching philosophy is grounded in the idea that learning, particularly in creative pursuits, should be valued for its intrinsic worth rather than solely for its potential commercial or professional outcomes. I welcome students who are seeking a one-and-done experience—an opportunity to dip their toes into the world of leather crafting without the expectation of long-term commitment. For those who are looking for an introduction to a new hobby, my teaching approach centers on providing a supportive and exploratory space where curiosity is encouraged, mistakes are seen as part of the learning process, and the joy of creating takes precedence. Simultaneously, I am open to guiding individuals who are interested in leveraging their leather crafting skills for profit, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and techniques to navigate the intersection of creativity and entrepreneurship. In my classroom, I prioritize a learner-centric approach, recognizing the diverse motivations and goals of each student. I create an inclusive and collaborative environment that celebrates the unique journey of each individual, fostering a sense of community where students can share their experiences, insights, and creations. My Story... Born and raised in Michigan, I proudly call the Metro Detroit area home. My academic journey led me to the University of Michigan, where I earned three engineering diplomas that now serve me well in my role as a project engineer at an aerospace engineering company. Surprising as it may seem, my technical background didn't deter me from diving into the world of leather crafting. My childhood fascination with fantasy, gaming, and all things geeky eventually led me to renaissance fairs, competitive axe throwing, and live-action role-playing (LARP). It was through these unique interests that I discovered a desire for crafting my own leather armor, pouches, sheaths, and garb. In 2019, I attended the Leathercraft 101 class here at the MI Folk School and I haven’t looked back. Since then, I've transformed a corner of my home into a fully functional leather smithing studio where I enjoy the fulfilling process of creating leather goods for myself, my friends and family, and occasionally things for sale. Having navigated the transition from a predominantly left-brained profession to a creative pursuit, I understand the challenges and rewards of balancing technical expertise with artistic expression. I am confident in my ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering their success in the world of leather crafting. Together, we can take a simple piece of hide and transform it into a practical, useful, or fun item that can be enjoyed for decades. Let's embark on this creative journey together!
Joey Traynor
Green Woodworker
My Story... Joey is an arborist and greenwood worker born and raised in Metro Detroit. Now residing in the Brightmoor Farmway neighborhood in Detroit’s west side, Joey finds community amongst the urban farms, homestead gardens, and sprawling woods of Brightmoor. Joey brings his passion for craft and community to Michigan Folk School to spread the joys of greenwood working and creation.
Julia Gold
My Philosophy... All we have is this very moment, the one we are experiencing right now. I believe that the choice is mine in how I decide to live in this moment. I tell myself to take the time to consider the moment I have with the world I am creating. The work that I do, whether it’s with children, grownups, plants, the Earth or one of the many natural resources that become a handcrafted work of use and art, I do so with reverence. I care about my relationships and I work to form many. I find myself swinging between the relationships in my public and private spaces. In the time I spend with others, I treasure the lessons they bring. In the time I spend alone, thinking, creating, planning and performing my craft, I treasure the feeling of fullness found in states of flow. I’ve learned that unselfish intensions to share the bounties of beauty created by a handmade life fold back onto itself and provide a life with moments of joy and giddy happiness. Other moments require a willingness for sacrifice. Joy without pain is not as sweet, happiness without sorrow is not as complete. There is a spiraling ebb and flow between these states and each time I make a revolution the experiences made me more; more skilled, more patient, more understanding, more graceful, more knowledgeable. I seek to find balance between these moments. My Story... The question every young person hears, “What do you want to do with your life?” My answer; I want to make beautiful spaces that can surround a community. The first step on this quest was art school. However, half way to the finish line I was told by a ceramics professor that if I was going to “make it” as a potter that I would have to be the best. The thought of that kind of cold and shallow competition changed my course. Instead, I choose to use art to teach. I earned a degree in fine arts and education with a certificate that allowed me to teach children. For the past twenty years, eight and nine year-olds have become some of my best friends as we’ve work together in our third-grade classroom in Ann Arbor. We’ve built school gardens, explored curricula by building, doing, thinking and laughing. They’ve taught me how to teach. The next step on this journey was becoming a mother. My little girls lead the way as I wanted them to connect with the natural world. My husband, Jason and I found three acres of borrowed land and very old house surrounded by farm fields and forest. This is where we set out to teach ourselves how to lead a simpler life. With little eyes watching and little hands imitating, I settled into a homesteader’s life with swelling gardens of vegetables, medicinal and culinary herbs, cut flowers and dye plants. Handmade goat barns and chicken coops filled up with life and with it, responsibility. What do you do with 2 gallons of goat milk a day? Learn how to make cheese and soap, of course. It’s been twelve years and there has been many bumps, bruises, rashes, illnesses, insomnia, back pain, and heartache to mend. I turned to my garden and we formed a different kind of relationship with the plants there and in the wild. With time and dedication, they showed me how they are healers in so many ways. Beauty is found in relationships with the natural world. It was on that little piece of property where the idea of a folk school was born. It was our farm school. It was the last step in my journey, the creation of a place where this kind of knowledge can be enjoyed and shared by all that cross our doorstep. Welcome to the Michigan Folk School! I teach the things my curiosity leads me to learn and in doing so, find complete joy: cheese making, soap making, fermentation, herbalism and stained glass.
Kadee Spangler
My Philosophy... There’s always room for more beauty and joy in the world! And sometimes we’ve got to break something to make it even more lovely - like we will with glass! My story…. I’ve been a professional tattooer for over a decade and found myself in desperate need of a fresh creative outlet. I’d taken some stained glass classes as a teenager but never pursued it further and found my interest piqued when discovering some modern glass artists. After taking courses at a studio in early 2020, I simply fell in love with stained glass! While a very laborious process, it’s so satisfying to create pieces that bring color and light to peoples lives in a new way. I work from my home studio making lots of silly works mostly focused on food and pop culture - the things that bring me the most joy!
Katie Waggoner
Phytologist
The biology of a human, NEEDS the biology of a plant. Nurturing each other is our biophilic nature and plants were created to nourish, and heal the human body in every shape, way, and form- mentally and physically. The importance of returning to living consciously with nature and being self-sustaining within your living space, is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your family's future. My love for nature runs deep and started as a child growing up in the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire picking wild blueberries and apples in my backyard. In 2013, I was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder that led me to the world of holistic medicine, and in 2019 began my own organic garden and growing my own plant medicine in my small, suburban subdivision backyard. Along with my heavy interest in gardening of all kinds, my passion for indoor foliage (biophilic design and indoor farming a.k.a. CEA) has become my main focus as many people have small spaces and yards like me. I'll show you how to work with what you've got! I have done all the trial-and-error work and experimentation for you, so you are able to jumpstart your own indoor planting once you exit the classroom doors.
Kelly Savino
Folklorist & Fiber Artisan
My story... Creativity, for adults, can be as much about unlearning as it is about learning. Long before we learned to focus on the end product of our experiments, as something to be graded, critiqued, applauded, or monetized, we were driven by pure curiosity and a sense of play. Many of us as children stopped trying to draw, or write creatively, or sing for the joy of it because the result was criticized or corrected by teachers, family and peers. But at some level, our hands and our brains remember making and are comforted and amused by it. Whether we are remembering our own early years, or remembering at some instinctual level the tens of thousands of years of making that helped us evolve, we can tap into a flow if we let go of the pressure to produce something great every time we sit down to create. The poster in my studio says "Make, fail, make, fail, make". My friend calls it "failing forward". I encourage students to enjoy the process, and branch out into their own inquiries, armed with the experience and techniques I can share. Kelly Savino has a BA in English, an MA in Folklore and Anthropology, and an MFA in Ceramics. She worked as a public sector folklorist in the South, documenting the stories and skills of moonshiners, quilters, coon hunters, boatbuilders, fiddle makers, granny midwives, and Amish farmers. She has been a potter for over 30 years, exploring historical approaches to kiln building and pit firing, sometimes using local clays and materials for pottery and cob built ovens . In recent years, her focus has shifted to fiber arts, including spinning, weaving, and the growing of flax, cotton, madder and indigo in a backyard garden. An enthusiasm for botany, biology and microscopy mesh well with an interest in historical crafting methods. Using foraged, home grown or repurposed materials helps her enjoy the process without getting overly "precious" about her work.
Worokiatou "Kia" Kouyate
Gastronome
I was born in Ann Arbor but grew up in Nederland, Colorado, a small mountain town where I learned outdoor survival skills and formed a strong bond with nature. I loved exploring with friends, learning about science, and doing arts and crafts. Cooking was also a big part of my childhood. Some of my earliest memories are of baking salmon at age five and teaching my first-grade class to roll sushi during our Japan unit. My mom always made sure we had healthy, home-cooked meals, which has inspired how I cook to this day. When I was 14, I moved back to Michigan, where I was diagnosed with Lyme disease. That experience shaped me in profound ways, teaching me resilience and the importance of health. After nearly a decade of recovery, I’m now 23 and feel grateful to be healthy again. Recently, I moved to a beautiful piece of land where I spend my days gardening, cooking, and creating. I grow my own vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs, and love using what I harvest to make nourishing meals for my family. I also find joy in activities like pottery and painting, and in simply appreciating the little things in life.
Kirk Coppernoll
Mycophagists Forager
I always learn more and retain knowledge better in a hands on environment. This is how I approach my own classes. I also try to keep the teaching environment light and interspersed with humour. I love to share funny anecdotes and hear other people’s life stories. I feel more relaxed and genuine when the instructor/student relationship is more of an opportunity to share knowledge and create new friendships. I am a husband, father and grandfather. I have always loved anything out of doors. Hiking, foraging, gardening, maple syrup. Any excuse to be outside. I am a former Marine and retired Ann Arbor Letter Carrier. After retiring I formed a small LLC, I teach interpretive and educational programs on mushroom foraging and inoculation and maple syrup production. I am grateful to The Michigan Folk School for the opportunity to share my experience and to reach more people.
Kirsten Brink
My story... I have more hobbies than I have time or money for! I love reading, painting, hiking, yoga, travel, gardening, quirky coffee spots, board games, excuses to wear a costume, and I'll never say no to a massage. Leatherworking for me, has been a fantastic craft to make personalized and high quality gifts that are useful and classy. Leather is also a great accessory for a day of jousting at the Renaissance Faire, or a day in the office. There is so much flexibility with the craft! I was born in Ann Arbor and raised in Tecumseh. After graduating from Western Michigan university I taught public school for 9 years (2 years art; 7 years science.) I then went back to school at Texas A&M and changed careers to Biomedical Engineering. Currently, I work for AstraZeneca and live in Fort Worth Texas with my fantastic husband Andrew, and fur babies Shania and Faith. I am an empty nester of my daughter, Olivia, currently at school in Austin Texas.
Larissa Diem
Larissa Diem is a Detroit-based fiber artist, fashion school graduate, and avid crocheter. They first learned crochet from their grandmother, Bev, at the age of 8. Since then, they have experimented with the craft to make garments, stuffed animals, soft sculptures, tapestries, and more. Diem believes fiber arts exists at the intersection of care, communal storytelling, and the material world. They are interested in exploring fiber arts, and especially crochet, as a means of liberating oneself from the cycle of consumerism, moving towards a more mindful and sustainable way of looking at the objects we hold dear.
Blake DesRosiers
Blacksmith
As a teacher I try to adapt to my students, since everyone learns differently and what works for one person might not work for the next. I try to make a point to let all my students know that it is ok to make mistakes. As it is apart of the making process. One of my favorite moments in teaching is when someone has an "Ah-Ha" moment and it clicks for them. I've always worked with my hands, even at a young age I was tinkering with whatever I could find. As a child I started making knives and other things a 12 year old defiantly should be making. As I went through high school I was a student enrolled in consortium through Saline where found my passion for welding and metal work. I began to make metal flowers and twisted wire sculpture. I attended Ferris State University for my Welding Engineering degree where I also discovered I love to teach and share my knowledge with others. Following my passion for teaching and making, I found myself at the University of Michigan working with students and student project teams. I run a lab/shop space where I am able to share what I have learned. In my free time, I can be found in my personal shop welding and blacksmithing a wide variety of things. I'm excited to share what I know with a new and unique group of students here at the folk school.
Lori Evesque
Natural Dyer
My Philosophy... I love sharing what I know and am interested in. No question is a stupid question- questions are how you learn. I like students to be involved in what they are learning- hands on is how people learn. Also, I believe it's important for students to take home a tangible item from classes- besides handouts and samples. That way they can actually have an item to remind them of their experience and share with others. My Story... Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, I grew up northwest of Chicago, had a non-fiber interlude as an engineer – college at Purdue, at a chocolate company in Australia then working on instant rice and waffles for Quaker Oats, then moved to Michigan in ’93 and currently live on a 36 acre farm (Natural Cycles Farm) outside Allegan, MI with my partner Pete, 1 dog, 1 cat, 4 geese, 40+ chickens, 3 Jersey beef steer, and 46 fiber sheep with occasional seasonal other poultry. I’ve been interested in fibers for most of my life starting at age 8 learning to knit and adding most other fiber related crafts over the ensuing years. I learned to spin 30 years ago in Australia and my background in chemistry and interest in growing plants lead my interest in natural dyeing over 20 years ago. (Picture a mad scientist knitting…) I’ve demonstrated natural dyeing at Viking reenactments over an open fire as well as in more conventional places like dye kitchens and studios. My natural dye interest started with dabbling with local dye materials near me and expanded to a desire to see the full range of colors possible, using a range of mordants and modifiers and being able to reproduce those colors. I source many dye materials locally from fields and forests as well as growing many dye plants on my farm. Expanding the range of colors possible from locally sourced materials, including Japanese indigo and madder, is not only my passion but belief that sharing this knowledge with other interested dyers is important for our local community. I’m increasingly interested in the idea of the “Fibershed”: relocalizing the production of fibers for our needs from sourcing our fibers locally to mending and making the textiles we have last longer. I process our fiber sometimes with the help of regional fiber mills and sell raw fleeces, cleaned fiber, naturally dyed loose fiber, naturally dyed and undyed yarns, roving, combed top, and custom batts from my sheep or from other fiber producers in Michigan.
Leo Schreiber
Master Bowyer
My Philosophy... Understanding the structure of the wood then lets us manipulate the features that it has. As this stuff grew outside without supervision, careful layout and attention to detail are the differences between some artistry or some kindling. Being patient and consistent in the journey will have you smiling at the finish. And the errors made along the way are just examples of how to not do 'that' again. My Story... Born in 1953. Started making selfbows in 1995 as my way back into archery after a 19 year hiatus. Mostly self-taught. Lucky to get some instruction along the way from real bowyers and members of primitive skills groups. Remarried while tent camping in 1997. Started teaching bowmaking in 2001. Vendered at a Renaissance Festival for 3 years. I have demonstrated simple wood working on a shave house at Heritage festivals and Pow Wows across southern Michigan since 2002. I got to join up with the MiFS in2018, and have been enjoying myself ever since.
Maija Stromberg
Baker
Even though I've been baking for decades, I still find that I'm delighted by the process. The textures, smells, tastes, the transformations from dough to cookie, batter to cake— amazing! As a teacher, I love to share my enthusiasm. We’ll approach baking with curiosity and attention, and students will develop independence as they develop skill. I grew up in a family where a meal was not complete without dessert. My father baked all of our bread (6 kids, lots of bread), having learned from his Swedish mother on a farm in Minnesota. My mother baked everything else. I've been baking since childhood and learning all along the way. While I have worked in professional kitchens, most of my experience has come from baking for friends, family members, and anyone else who looks like they might need dessert.
McCullough Kelly-Willis
Butcher
My Story... McCullough Kelly-Willis, was first exposed to whole animal butchery and the concept of sustainable meat in 2013, while at Reed College in Portland, OR. She signed up for basic pig butchery with the Portland Meat Collective on a whim, and she was hooked.In the summer of 2013 she moved from Portland to Chicago, and decided to find a way to continue learning about whole animal butchery, which led to a six month stage at The Butcher&Larder. After coming on full time in 2014, she continued honing her butchery skills and learning about the wide world of charcuterie. When The Butcher&Larder joined Local Foods in 2015, she began working on the dry curing program, doing months of research and development and making some pretty delicious salami and whole muscle cures along the way. McCullough now heads the Chicago Meat Collective in the hopes of continuing her own education and creating a wider community of conscious meat consumers here in Chicago.
Megan Harris
Puppeteer
Knowledge should be shared freely and be adapted to connect to each individual on any level. I believe we learn deeper through amusement and play , which I bring into my class settings as much as possible. I see potential in everything, and enjoy life fully. I have a BFA in Fiber arts with a minor in stop motion animation from College for Creative Studies in Detroit and a MFA in craft with a focus on puppetry from Oregon College of Arts and Crafts. I have traveled the world learning art, crafts and puppet making skills from masters in various mediums such as wood, fiber and clay. My professional experience ranges from teaching preschool art to assisting on creating costumes and puppets for Disney, Universal Studios, Cirque du soliel, broadway shows and Tv shows.
Sheila Graziano
Appalachian Clogger
My motto is “No dancer left behind!”. Even having taught countless clogging workshops, it’s still a thrill to see students work through their first lessons, and then see the lightbulb come on when that “aha!” moment occurs. Everyone learns at their own pace, in their own way. I work hard to accommodate the variety of students in my workshops. Through action, words, listening and counting, everyone finds the way that works best for them, and I incorporate it all into the classes. I’m a very non-competitive person. The goal I have for my students is to enjoy the dance skills that I share with them, be able to understand the genre and become their own “choreographer”, and find their own particular style of executing the steps. I teach the foundation steps to start, and we grow into some choreography as time goes on. Clogging can be a solo endeavor, or a group venture, depending on any given person’s goals.. Growing up in Detroit, I took tap dance lessons for 10 years. As a young adult, I discovered Appalachian clogging, and was smitten! It took several years to learn enough about clogging to feel secure in this new world of dance, as pre-internet, it was very difficult to find teachers of this art in southeast Michigan. Eventually I had a grip on the style, and sought out others who enjoyed old-time music and clogging. We formed a group called The Crosstown Cloggers, and spent a few years performing for local audiences. That morphed into 10 years of working with a string band (The Raisin Pickers), as Crow’s Feet. In the early 2000s, I approached Neil Woodward (Michigan’s official State Troubadour), and we spent some time on stage as Matter & Ghost. Missing the energy of team dancing, I formed a group in 2004 (through present day) called The CommonWealth Dance Collective (the CDC). It is a community based group, and we enjoy exploring a variety of traditional percussive dance styles. Appalachian clogging, Irish step dancing, English clog dancing, Canadian styles, historic pieces from the Vaudeville era, and original material are all genres that we perform and share with others via workshops and lessons. For 30 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with The Saline Fiddlers; a local group of high school musicians, some of whom also dance. I was a founding member of The Saline Celtic Festival, and the Artistic Director of the event for 18 years. I’ve organized several other music and dance events, including 2 years of Dancing In The Streets (Ann Arbor), and the “Hats off to Bob and Pam Phillips” celebration. I’ve been a mentor to several up-and-coming dancers over the years, through programs sponsored by The Michigan Traditional Arts Program (MTAP) in Lansing, and the Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance (AACTMAD). It was a thrill to be a recipient of a Michigan Heritage Award in 2023; it's the highest honor a traditional artist in Michigan can receive.
Michael Daitch
Weaver
My Philosophy... I have been a weaver for almost 50 years, for the past 25 I have had the opportunity to have had my own handweaving studio, Coat of Many Colors Handweavers. I love handweaving because it is an art form that has many sensory dimensions beyond the composition that engages more than the eye. Handweaving allows me to take my love of creating, fibers and teaching to an incredible level. I am one of only a handful or artists that actually teach tallit (prayer shawl) weaving in the country. I love sharing the art of handweaving with individual who wants to have this experience. And I teach handweaving and do demonstrations throughout the year. I strongly believe that with a little patience, encouragement, and special guiding hand anyone (young or old) can learn to weave with confidence and skill, and I have proven it time and again. My Story... I hold a B.F.A. in Art and Education from Eastern Michigan University and did a year of graduate work in Fibers and Education at Ohio State University. I retired early as a manager with Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit. I have my own weaving studio, Coat of Many Colors Handweavers, as well as teach private weaving classes and at several art galleries in Michigan. Four year’s ago, I decided to go back to work and I am a part-time paraprofessional in a private school. I am a member of two Fiber Guilds and demonstrate, teach and give talks on Judaic handweaving.
Michael Kaufman-Schofield
Basketweaver
My Philosophy... I view basketmaking and other traditional crafts as practices that can weave people back into the more-than-human world. I believe echos of these relationships and practices still reside in all of us on some level. I love playing my small part in facilitating a reconnection to this heritage. My Story... I am a plant tender, willow farmer, and weaver of baskets and caskets based in Dexter, Michigan. I stumbled upon wicker basketry while touring green burial cemeteries with a family member preplanning their eventual funeral. I saw a photo of a willow casket at one of the cemeteries we visited, and suddenly found myself strongly pulled to learn to weave one of these gorgeous baskets for my loved one. What followed was a bit of a quirky mutli-year journey involving a forever growing collection of out-of-print text books, long road trips for rather hard-to-find in-person learning opportunities, and finally an amazing apprenticeship with an established funerary artisan. We finally gathered as a family in the Autumn of 2023 to collectively weave the casket that began my basketry journey. It is being utilized as a rather gorgeous but eccentric bookshelf until it's time to return to the soil. Outside of basketmaking and growing willow, I have a deep love of other plants with longstanding relationships with humankind. I grow many such plants on our farmstead and enjoy trying to better understand their history in food, medicine, craft, and beyond. I always grow extra to share each season at markets and gatherings around our wider area. More recently, I've also begun weaving my love of ethnobotany into invasive species management and land stewardship. I think reestablishing relationships with these overabundant and controversial plant species can improve ecosystem health, deepen our relationship with the living world, and make a lot of crafts more easily accessible.
Mike O'Brien
Brewmaster
My philosophy... To show folks how easy it is to brew beer at home. Short Bio I have enjoyed beer for a long time. Started home brewing in July of '82. Sold brewing supplies for a bunch of years. Have taught a lot of folks how to brew beer. Certified BJCP Beer Judge. Have built brewing equipment for both home brewers and commercial breweries. Currently keeping breweries - up and running. I still enjoy beer!
Nancy Binkowski
Broomsmith
Nancy began her broom making career almost 10 years ago at Tillers International. Since then, her love for teaching and her joy of broom making have grown together and now she teaches at a growing list of festivals, private events and schools. In May of 2024, Nancy began adding a line of wrapped handled whisk brooms, naming them Sally brooms in memory of her dear friend who had recently passed. She has also made great strides in her teaching skills not only with teaching larger numbers of students at a time but also teaching more complicated techniques to beginning students. Nancy wants to make sure that all of her students succeed and have a fun experience in her class. It fills her heart with happiness when her students comment on how much fun they have had in her workshops. Nancy has a lighthearted approach to teaching and you will finish one of her workshops with at least one broom of your own and a sense of accomplishment. Her hope is that you will have learned a new skill and had some laughs along the way.
Nicole Gillies
Fiber Artist
I have a love for teaching because I know that a great teacher can create a lifelong lover of making and creating! I strive to be that great teacher especially for some of the mediums like felting that aren’t as common anymore. Long live the felt! My Story... Nicole Gillies is a Michigan-based textile and fiber artist. She is an alumnus of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit where her focus was the Fiber Arts, more specifically felting and corset making. She has a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science and works as a Children’s Librarian, sharing her love of art with her children and the young people of her community. She is a ravenous felter and owner of Roving Eye Textiles, making beautiful flowers, vessels, and Nuno scarves for galleries and art festivals in the Detroit area.
Rachel Watkins
Fiber Artist
I fell in love with hand stitching many years ago when I learned to cross stitch as a young girl. Many years later I found felt appliqué when I accidentally purchased a stocking kit that needed to be hand stitched. The rest is history. I enjoy designing my own kits and decorating my home with handmade pieces. I'm excited to share this art with all of you!
Rodney Cole
Bushcrafter
For twenty five years I taught in the classic survival school style. Teach one subject for an hour or more and then practice those skills. Fourteen years ago I meet an instructor, totally by accident, who used a very different style. You teach one small part of a subject for ten minutes, say fire building and then practice. Go to another subject, knot tying for ten minutes and practice. then another and another. Once you have done one of each subject you return to the beginning and practice it again before you add on more training in that subject and then on to more in each subject. The results are that the students retain and understand each skill for much longer. Short Bio I went to my first winter survival training when I was 12 in the Boy Scouts. I then had training in the army after both Ranger and Special Forces School. As a reservist I was sent to survival training 11 times including in Canada and Alaska. Because I like to long distance hike I have taken training at 8 different survival schools. I taught survival in the Army for several years and about 2004 I started instructing at survival schools.
Samantha Russell
My Story... I believe in teaching in a multitude of ways so all people can learn and feel welcome. Samantha Russell was born in Flint, Michigan and currently lives and works in Southeast Michigan after much moving around. The daughter of an artist and mechanic her life was filled with socially perceived opposites as she was introduced to everything art was and could be. Being born in the the 1980's in a generationally poor family Samantha learned to appreciate a simpler way of living as society rapidly advanced with technology, organically developing many skills used in her art practice. As someone that rarely fit others idea of who she should be, Samantha stubbornly identifies as she/her as a way to to build on the feminist notion that women can be whatever they want. After a late start, Samantha studied sculpture in Detroit, and Minneapolis, earning her terminal degree at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. After graduation she was awarded an internship with the Kunstvereine program and spent 2 months in Würzburg, Germany as assistant to President of the Arte Noah. Since returning to Michigan in 2019 Samantha has worked in arts academia and maintains a robust art practice spanning a multitude of material and processes to continue the legacy of the importance of hand made objects and the bodily experience in a time of increasing digital dependancy.
Talcon Quinn
My Story... I am Talcon Quinn. I am a folk artist, educator & community event coordinator from Athens, Ohio. I have dedicated my life to learning traditional folk arts through mentorship in Appalachian, around the country, & abroad. I deeply value this style of learning because it weaves in other life lessons, teaching far more than just the art form. As a teen I mentored artists in beading & silversmithing. I dedicated my early 20’s to working toward the preservation of old growth forest. Due to the unsustainability of the gemstone mining industry, I drifted away from silversmithing and instead sought out mentorships in basket weaving, traditional hide tanning, herbal remedies & traditional food practices. These studies inspired me to create jewelry again, in a way that links together my social & environmental values with contemporary & ancestral traditions that celebrate our common heritage. I chose to settle back into the Appalachian foothills. I recognized that being generationally from a region is a unique tool to help inspire revitalization of Appalachia Ohio. I work toward this revitalization through teaching traditional crafts, making my art & coordinating community events that celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of Southeast Ohio.
Victor Wooddell
Bowyer
Hands on, eyes open, and heart engaged! Bowyer apprentice to Master bowyer Leo Schreiber 2 years College instructor at Mott Community College Father of two.
Wade Buck
Blacksmith/Program Coordinator
My mission as an educator is to establish an understanding and appreciation of the visual arts and crafts, while generating excitement through the creative process and class discussions to stimulate imaginations. Learning an overview of multiple materials and processes students are given insight to what may excite them and are encouraged to pursue opportunities that arouse their creativity. Class discussions and critiques will serve as an open platform to discuss the formal and social qualities of finished work and harbor an empathic environment to promote self-exploration. My Story... Wade Buck has been working within the metal art field for more than ten years. Though his artworks are created from various metals, they are influenced by fabrication techniques and experiences in architectural work, textile, ceramics, woodworking, landscaping, and blown glass. Wades’ recent work is exploring the interrelationships and intentions between the maker and the material. Through his aspired process of representation, his intent is to approach a conversation of materiality by staying true to chosen materials and their inherent properties. Wade received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Northern Michigan University. Before leaving the Upper Peninsula he was also an apprentice artist under Gordon Gearhart and taking on various architectural commissions of his own. While enrolled as a candidate for the Master of Fine Arts degree at Eastern Michigan University, Wade wrote articles about contemporary blacksmithing for national and international publications and exhibited nationwide. In the studio, he is continuing to experiment with raised copper hollowware, traditional ironwork, and jewelry techniques for new sculptural forms and an investigation of materiality.