Spring is on full force at Mikell!

Parish groups, weekend retreats, and Blue Ridge school groups have kept us busy and full of life. This was especially evident last month at the Allan Folk School, a weekend of art and community on March 10-12.

Now in its 24th year, the folk school was born out of Work of Our Hands, a ministry founded by Elizabeth and Frank Allan (former bishop of Atlanta) and Glenna Smith, among many others. Work of Our Hands promoted art in underserved populations, and the folk school continues that tradition at Mikell, drawing on the community-art model of John C. Campbell and other schools.

Housed primarily in the St. Joseph the Carpenter Art Center up the hill from the Thomas dorm, the weekend was full of creation: stained glass, woodturning, quilting, weaving, and more. Students came from as far away as Florida and North Carolina to learn new skills from experienced teachers, or to practice these crafts with one another. Participants leave the weekend with their beautiful new work, although folk school participants have previously outfitted the chapel with new stained glass, altar, hand-turned candlesticks, and more.

Students had fun getting to know each other and reconnecting with old friends while learning a skill. Stained glass instructor Nancy Brockway notes that, “You don’t even have to be artistic per se! It’s more about the process than the end product.”

The Folk School meets twice a year, with the next one scheduled for October 6-8. Registration opens in early August here on CampMikell.com!