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This weekend, the Rochester Folk Art Guild will be free to the public for studio viewing and holiday shopping.
Located between the hamlet of Middlesex and Potter in Yates County, the Guild is located on a 350-acre farm and has studios working in the crafts of pottery, weaving, woodworking and natural fiber clothing. Both the East Hill Gallery and all workshops will be open, along with fresh baked goodies.
The Guild welcomes visitors to tour the craft studios encouraging an “unhurried atmosphere” with gifts in all price ranges.
Items include colorful stoneware bowls and mugs, carved celadon porcelain vases, one-of-a-kind hand-sewn jackets, linen shirts, botanical eco-printed silk scarves, end-grain cutting boards, wooden spoons and folk toys hewn from local wood. At the East Hill Gallery, graphic arts and pressed botanical notecards, featuring flowers from the Guild garden, are also available.
“At the Guild, one is always close to nature,” the artist statement from the Graphic Arts Studio reads. “Seeing how other craftspeople here incorporate designs and colors of the seasons is a continuing source of inspiration.”
The Guild also offers workshops for adults and conducts educational outreach programs for children, which will also be available as gift purchases this weekend. Its Apprenticeship Program is designed for young people searching for a practical, hands-on approach to learning and living. Working alongside experienced master craftspeople, apprentices learn proficiency in a craft and how to live alongside others in a community setting.
The Rochester Folk Art Guild was founded in 1957 under the teachings of philosopher George Ivanovich Gurdjieff, which emphasized spiritual growth and self development throughout life. While participation in the Gurdjieff work is not a requirement nowadays, much of his teachings inform the Guild’s current mission, which includes sustainability, awareness of the environment, and working with one’s hands.
Jacob Schermerhorn is a Rochester Beacon contributing writer and data journalist. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. See “Leave a Reply” below to discuss on this post. Comments of a general nature may be submitted to the Letters page by emailing [email protected].
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