The Folk School’s Masters Enameling Studio, named after Gus and Maggie Masters who started the program in the 1970’s, is recognized by instructors and students as one of the best and most respected enameling studios in America. Having hosted thousands of students over the decades, this space is an active studio that needed a refresh to continue to enhance the work of our students each week. Thanks to the generous support from friends, the studio has received capital enhancements over the past few months.   

 Steve Artz, a master carpenter, exhibiting enamellist, and Folk School instructor since 1998, has donated his time and materials for over 20 years in the jewelry and enameling studios. Late last year, Steve undertook several projects for the enameling studio, including a redesign of worktables to make them more functional in the studio, construction of a steel rolling platform for the studio’s fusing kiln and a fold down ramp for the enameling shed, which provides easier access for students and instructors. He also provided support for the purchase of a new Vcella kiln, an integral piece of equipment for work in the studio.   In January, Steve sent a new hydraulic press for our “Forming Copper in Enamel” class and a drill press stand for a Foredom drill, making drilling holes in metal easier and safer.   

“Steve is essentially my partner in the enameling studio as well as my volunteer,” says Kay Patterson, our Creative Program Advisor in Enameling and Hot/Warm Glass.   

Mary Zoller Lightner, renowned fused glass artist and student at the Folk School, was a member of the Olive Dame Campbell Giving Society and left the contents of her studio to the Folk School after her passing. Her husband, John Lightner, worked with Kay coordinating pick-up of two fusing kilns, a wet saw, two worktables for students, hand tools, kiln paper and bricks, glass in sheet and frit, and a cabinet with fusing forms. Each of these items had an immediate impact on the studio’s glass fusing capabilities, allowing for greater creativity for students and instructors in the studio.   

As we continue to teach new classes each week and welcome over 5,000 students on campus annually, we rely on the support of our community to make necessary studio improvements across campus. You can play a crucial role in making these improvements a reality by donating today.