john c. campbell folk school

This is the place to go to PLAY! That's right...play, learn, explore, relax and discover. I have taken classes here, attended the Fall Festival and come to simply visit. This place is so peaceful and nonjudgemental. You come to discover your artistic potential, even if you have none. If you ask any kindergartener if they can draw, they will shout "YES, I'm an artist!" And as an adult, that's what you will discover and uncover at JCCFS. My highest rating ever.

Had a wonderful experience at my first visit at John C. Campbell. I didn't know what to expect but needed a get-away, love the NC mountains and wanted to do something creative. This exceeded all my expectations. Am looking (more like salivating) over the catalog for next year - trying to narrow it down to one class. This time I'm going for a whole week. Simply cannot wait...

Two weeks ago my daughter and I went to the Folk School for a dance weekend. Our family had been frequent visiters in the 80s taking numerous weekend classes and were somewhat concerned that our old love would be "modernized" so as not to have the remembered vibe. Not to worry- it is just the same only better. A magical place in a magical setting. The dancing music and instruction were great. The dining hall and other venues embody the same wonderful mountain craftmanship as the original facilities. If you want a wonderful learning and social experience for a weekend or longer the Folk School continues to be Number 1.

What a neat festival. Really different from the usual festivals. Worth the ride just to see the many talented vendors and enjoy the day in the mountains. The day we went the weather was perfect.

This place is worth the find. So much is offered here. Quite a variety of classes along with festivals throughout the year. This weekend is Fall Festival with artists and craftspeople from all around showing their talents and offering their work for sale. Cold, crisp fall weather - perfect for walking along and viewing the wares. If you want to see what others have done, come to one of the festivals. If you want to take a class in pottery, dance, blacksmithing & so much more then check in with the folk school

I took a 5 day class in late May, it was so beautiful, mountain laurel were In full bloom. The setting is gorgeous, lots of different options for accommodations depending on your budget and family style meals that were terrific. They even managed to provide quality vegetarian vegan and gluten free options, everyone seemed pleased. The classes are small and have great teachers. It was fun to see families of an adult child with parents taking different classes the same week, a young man in my class was with his parents and grandmother. I went with my sister and we both want to go back for other classes. It's a very special place.

Spent a week here, learning about the Science of Bread. What a fantastic experience. It's hard to put into words what the experience encompasses - learning a craft, meeting people from ALL walks of life, inward inspection, and just seeing the world through the lens of folk from Appalachia. The folk school offers hundreds of classes annually, led by just as many (if not more) instructors, each bringing their own talent and treasure to the learning experience.I had the pleasure of learning the science of bread making with 9 others - what a treat. And treats we did produce - in large numbers.I saw this referred to as "Camp for Adults," I couldn't have stated it better myself.

Weekend or weeklong classes in a wide variety of traditional folk crafts are taught in a friendly environment and a beautiful mountain setting. I discovered a good way to get there. We took a nauseatingly winding mountain road (US 192) with a lot of switchbacks. That was not fun. We got a tip from instructor Elaine to take Hwy 515 south, which a wider highway that's pretty much a straight shot to Atlanta. Much better! We loved our weekend at the folk school. All attendees were friendly and casual. We enjoyed hearing how everyone was progressing in their respective crafts. Food was fresh and plentiful. Rooms were clean and comfortable, although we were too busy to be them very much! Loved singing the old songs and hearing new ones. Everyone was supportive about learning new things.

We are glad you and your wife enjoyed your classes and your stay here at John C. Campbell Folk School. We hope you will return for another week, to learn and enjoy the sights & sounds of our special place that we have here at the folk school.

A week or weekend away from the busyness of your regular life spent learning a craft or skill that you always wanted to explore but never had the time or teacher. Classes for everyone -- not just women! -- excellent instructors, good food, cozy accommodations and meeting interesting and fun people. I went with a friend who I only see once every few years. Others came with spouses or groups of friends or family. A little like a cruise -- no cooking or cleaning with food and entertainment included -- , but there is a cute little town to explore, gentle hiking trails and peaceful surroundings. The school is the perfect way to challenge yourself to learn something new in a fun and supportive and non-competitive environment while spending time with friends or family. I can't wait to go back.

We made a recent sightseeing trip across into North Carolina. More by luck than judgment, we ended up at the John Campbell Folk School. This is very interesting and old-established centre, set up nearly a hundred years ago on the model of the folkehojskole which were a force in the rural life of Denmark. It teaches long and short courses in decorative arts and practical skill like blacksmithing, carpentry and basketmaking. The school now spreads over a campus of about 100 acres, dotted with workshops, a forge, dormitories and lots of communal buildings.As a drop-in tourist attraction there is not a lot unless you are interested in craft. There is a very high quality craft shop selling handmade products from students and teachers (and not silly prices). I can see that my wife is going to want to spend time attending courses here.

John C Campbell Folk school is the sweetest place! The classes are very very good, the food is excellent/homegrown/homemade. The people you meet are so interesting - from all over. The accommodations have been fine (nothing to write home about, but you're at "school" for a week so think of college dorms or camp bunks and the accommodations are good - we've never had a bad room.) My husband and I enjoy taking different classes - then we meet up for lunch and dinner in the dining hall (meals are served family style so you always meet people, talk about the great food or your classes and you usually don't sit with the same folks). I would imagine this wouldn't be a fun place for shy people... But if you want excellent, hands-on, non-competitive instruction from real artists/artisans, you've come to the right place. There is such a good vibe at the Folk School. And what a beautiful setting! Oh, and you HAVE to go to the dance night and learn contra or square dancing while you're there! And buy beautiful crafts from the Craft/gift shop! Can't say enough about this place...

Nestled in the Appalachians, the John Campbell school provides adults an extraordinary chance to learn a variety of folk arts. I recently took Shaker basketmaking and broommaking from JoAnn Kelly Cotsos, a nationally recognized basketmaker who has even had one of her baskets displayed at the Smithsonian's Renwick museum in Washington DC. JoAnn navigated us through the construction of several beautiful baskets and brooms, which look far better than anything I could reasonably afford to buy. It was a weird feeling, as my fellow classmates and I became almost addicted to the basketmaking process, working late into the evening and early morning hours. At the end of the week, all of the classes exhibited their respective projects, and I was jealous of all of them. Beautifully crafted shaker tables, shaker boxes, and blacksmithed door latches, represent a small sample of the projects that the students would undoubtedly display with pride once they get home.The lodging was simple, but clean and adequate (forget about TV's, radios and computers...at first I felt withdrawal from these "conveniences", but by the end of the week I came to appreciate the luxury of the simple quiet life at John Campbell). And speaking of life, the staff at John Campbell strives to provides a relaxing and memorable experience, through music, singalongs, presentations and shows. And then there are the delicious meals, served family style where you can meet others at the school.If you are looking for a vacation where you are pampered in a spa, then this is definately NOT for you. But, if you are looking for a unique experience that will truly enrich your soul, John Campbell's is the perfect destination. I've already signed up for another course at John Campbell.

Recently I completed a week of classes at this amazing place. The offerings are truly unique. I took the jewelry class, "Wire Wrapping". My instructor was Judy Peppers, who is a gifted artist and a gem of a person (not to mention a great teacher!) I was completely new to wire wrapping and she was able to work with me to where I feel I have a good grasp of the basic techniques and I can move forward to creating my own wire wrapped jewelry components. Now, the school...what can I say, the experience outshone my expectations by a huge margin. Everything was above and beyond what the catalogue describes. Do get the catalogue, you will get the full description of the classes and be able to register on the website. The tuition may seem steep but you are getting so much more for your money. The food is outstanding; the accommodations are very comfortable. You can walk all over the campus (and I needed to, after 3 amazing meals every day!) If I could give this school 10 stars, I would. If you want to learn a new craft or want to improve your skills, you can't go wrong with this school.

Such craft work done at this place is super. I was very impressed with the environs and the products that they produced. Be sure and visit the craft store to see their handcraft. .