Known for its rare community of rural artists, culture-makers, and do-it-yourselfers, the county of Floyd is as varied as its topography. That uniqueness is reflected in a new year of classes and workshops on offer by The Jacksonville Center for the Arts in Floyd.
Courses are held at a lower rate to keep the cost affordable for attendees. Classes and workshops include a wide variety of arts, skills, and topics, including: metalworking, fiber art, guitar, pottery-throwing, glass working, and basket weaving. Participants will make everything from 1920s-era hats to decorative walking sticks to abstract paintings to hinged metal boxes. “We are casting a wide net, offering a lot of new things this year, and seeing what kinds of classes the Floyd community is interested in,” said Leia Thompson Wood, programming director at The Jax. “New classes are being combined with some favorites returning from last year, including pottery making, hot glass work, metalworking, and jewelry-making, and we hope that you will love it.”
Nationally-known artists are coming to Floyd as instructors for this year’s classes and workshops, including nationally-known painter Tom Jones, who will be teaching deft use of the brush, as well as, his wife Bonnie Jones. Other notable visiting instructors include abstract artist David Kessler, fashion crafter Jan Wutkowski, landscape artist Don Andrews, and well-known fiber artist Judy Zugish.
“We are proud to offer these classes at a reduced, affordable rate again this year,” said Wood. The center has made it a priority to keep the costs of classes and workshops as low as possible, to allow for participation of Floyd residents and visitors.
Classes coming up through the month of March include: Beginning Ceramics: The ABCs of Clay, March 5-6; Nut Butters, March 5; Hot Glass Experience, March 12; Kicking Fear in the Pants: Clearing the Path to Your Authentic Creative Voice, March 12; Water-Bath Canning, March 19; Polymer Clay Series: Easter Eggs, March 19; Pressure Canning, March 19; Beginning Blacksmithing, March 19-20; Beginning Metalsmithing, March 19-20; Walking Stick Weaving, March 21; and; Intro to Handtool Woodworking, starting March 21. Classes will continue throughout the year.
Several alternate locations will host workshops, such as the woodworking class at Floyd High School, and several culinary classes offered at the kitchen facility at the Floyd County Farm Bureau. A beginning guitar workshop taught by local virtuoso Scott Perry offers The Jacksonville Center’s first foray into offering music classes.
For more information on classes and registration, please visit The Jacksonville Center for the Arts at www.jacksonvillecenter.org, or contact the center at (540) 745-2784, info@jacksonvillecenter.org, or 220 Parkway Lane South, Floyd, VA 24091.
