Community Workshop Days

To celebrate our 100th year, Olive’s Porch is introducing new community-centered programming!

Join us on the Folk School campus for creativity and connection during Olive’s Porch Community Workshop Days. These events provide access to specialized studios and equipment for local crafters and curious creatives alike. To ensure accessibility, we’ve implemented a sliding fee scale, making this opportunity available to everyone in our local community.

Participants can enjoy a 6-hour studio experience to explore their craft, learn new techniques, or simply connect with others who share their passion. We’ll enjoy a delicious wood-fired pizza lunch, to celebrate our time together.

August Workshops

Learn basic relief printmaking skills to use at home to make personal greeting cards for holidays and general use. Friends love them! You’ll learn to carve a plate, ink it, and print the image numerous times to create multiple original art prints to keep, send, or give away. It’s easy and fun, and you’ll take away knowledge of one of the oldest art forms in the world.

Holiday Cards in Relief Printmaking
Instructor: Gay Bryant

Chemistry or magic? Experience the wonder of natural indigo and learn what makes indigo so special in the world of natural dyes. Hand-dye functional pieces in an indigo vat, and try simple resist techniques to give visual interest. In addition to a bit of history, indigo recipes and resources will be discussed for making a dye vat at home. If time allows, explore color from fresh leaves as well as indigo watercolor inks. Students will dye four hankies, four napkins, one kitchen towel, and two bandanas.

Into the Blue: The Extraordinary World of Indigo
Instructor:  Sally Blankenship

Stretch your potential as you explore creative nonfiction and fiction writing. Find inspiration in examples from each genre and create your own work. Discuss best practices when workshopping and practicing giving and receiving constructive and supportive comments. Return home to your writing desk with a refreshed reading list and caring, specific feedback to apply to your own writing. All levels welcome.

Creative Writing Across Genres
Instructor: Rosemary Royston

Come learn woodturning on an electric lathe! Students will use local wood to make a flower vase and lidded box with a decorative finial. These projects are great for beginners learning how to make beads and coves. Woodturners with experience are also welcome and can refine their techniques.

Flower Vases and Lidded Box with Bead and Cove Finial
Instructor: Christine Smith

Spend the day with your hands in clay learning basic techniques on the potter’s wheel. Learn to wedge, center, and pull clay into useful items such as bowls and cups. Focus on the process and having fun! Choose a favorite piece at the end of the day to be fired, glazed, and picked up in a week or two.

Get to Know the Wheel
Instructor: Sienna Shute

Introducing a Sliding Fee Scale:

There are three different fees for each workshop. Pick the price that best fits your budget. Standard Rate, Sponsorship Rate, or Scholarship Rate.

Standard Rate ($125): Participate at regular price.

Sponsorship Rate ($175): Give the gift of craft and help cover the cost for someone else to be in class.

Scholarship Rate ($75): Select this rate if you are unable to attend at the standard tuition rate. This tuition is half of the standard rate and is supported by our sponsorship rate registrations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this event priced with a sliding scale and priced above traditional Olive’s Porch programming?

We have heard from our community that they would love to learn a craft that we don’t have the facilities or equipment for at Olive’s Porch or that they would love to be on campus and are unable to attend a full weekend class. The sliding fee scale is also built for accessibility.

What ages are welcome to participate?

Those aged 18 & up are welcome to participate in Community Workshop Days.

Where do I park?

The gravel lot outside of the Keith House loop on campus.

Where do I check in on the day of the event?

After parking in the gravel lot outside of the Keith House proceed to the red tent with the Olive’s Porch Logo to check in. From there you will head to your assigned studio and can move to park closer to the studio.

How do Materials fees work?

Materials fees are a separate charge, specific to each workshop or studio. They will be paid upon check-in on the day of the event. Cash, check, or card will be accepted as forms of payment. Materials fees are listed in the workshop description.

What’s for lunch?

Our wonderful Executive Chef Terra Ciotta and the Dining Hall staff will be preparing a wood-fired pizza lunch, held at the pavilion next to Davidson Hall and across from the Craft Shop parking lot. A selection of toppings will be available, and you can pick what you’d prefer. There will also be gluten-free crusts available. Just bring your appetite.

Lunch is at 12:15 p.m. located next to Davidson Hall around the wood-fired pizza oven. Lunch is covered in the price of your tuition.

About Olive's Porch

Olive’s Porch is an extension of the Folk School in downtown Murphy. The location at 27 Peachtree Street features classroom space, a retail shop showcasing the work of Appalachian artists and providing high quality art supplies. Named after the Folk School’s co-founder Olive Dame Campbell, Olive’s Porch offers Community Workshops focused on traditional Appalachian crafts, music, dance, and community events and demonstrations designed for locals and visitors.

For any questions please contact Olive’s Porch at 828-837-1885 or visit olivesporch.org