Join us for creativity and connection during our Community Workshop Days!

These events provide access to specialized studios and equipment for local crafters and curious creatives alike. To ensure accessibility, we’ve implemented a sliding fee scale, making this opportunity available to everyone in our local community. 

Participants can enjoy a 6-hour studio experience to explore their craft, learn new techniques, or simply connect with others who share their passion. We’ll enjoy a lunch of salad, sandwiches, and sides, to celebrate our time together. Lunch is included in your workshop tuition.

Brasstown Carving: A Day for Details with Helen Gibson

Explore the woodcarving traditions of The Brasstown Carvers. Subject is carver’s choice based on carving experience. Carve animals or angel or Santa ornaments, practicing knife work to better grasp the intricacies of forms, tools, and techniques. Along with technical instruction in three-dimensional and relief carving, Helen will share her experiences growing up and developing as an artist within the carving community, sharing a unique oral history that explores the aesthetic and background of this tradition.

One Day, Infinite Wonder: Build Your Own Kaleidoscope

Curious how kaleidoscopes come to life? Spend a creative day learning the essentials of making kaleidoscopes, no experience needed. You’ll explore mirrors, color, and pattern while building a scope from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll gain hands-on skills and a deeper appreciation for light and reflection. You’ll leave with a kaleidoscope that is uniquely yours and the joy of having made it yourself.

Woodturning: Delightful Bowls

Learn to turn a bowl on the lathe! We’ll discuss lathe safety, wood orientation, which tools will get the results you want and how to use them, along with finishing techniques. This is a foundations workshop geared toward novice turners, however those with experience can explore and “sharpen” their techniques.

Drawing & Painting from Natures Wonders

Collaborate with nature by gathering plants and natural materials from campus. Choosing our subject from gathered plants we will explore drawing approaches, getting to know our subject. The principals from our drawing exercises (shape, value, edges) will inform our paint applications. We will work with nontoxic drawing mediums and acrylic paint to bring our drawings to life.

Beginning Spinning: Spindle and Wheel

Discover the historical craft of hand carding and spinning on a spinning wheel. Beginning spinsters will strive to “get the feel” for the simple act of creating yarn. Those with some prior experience will work to improve their techniques. Discuss many topics, including sheep and wool, raw wool preparation, washing raw wool, hand carding and spinning basics, and the all-important question, on what part of the wheel did sleeping beauty prick her finger? The adventure includes spinning on a point spindle/wheel. Students are encouraged to bring their own wheel in working order or for a tune up.  The Folkschool has all tools and equipment necessary for student use including spinning wheels, hand carders, and oil.

Introducing a Sliding Fee Scale: 

We’re trying out something new! There are three different fees for each workshop. Pick the price that best fits your budget. Standard Rate, Sponsorship Rate, or Scholarship Rate. 

• Standard Rate ($125): Participate at regular price.  

• Sponsorship Rate ($175): Give the gift of craft and help cover the cost for someone else to be in class. 

• Scholarship Rate ($75): Select this rate if you are unable to attend at the standard tuition rate. This tuition is half of the standard rate and is supported by our sponsorship rate registrations.  

Olive’s Porch is an extension of the Folk School in downtown Murphy. The location at 27 Peachtree Street features classroom space, a retail shop showcasing the work of Appalachian artists and providing high quality art supplies. Named after the Folk School’s co-founder Olive Dame Campbell, Olive’s Porch offers Community Workshops focused on traditional Appalachian crafts, music, dance, and community events and demonstrations designed for locals and visitors.