Youth

Arbutus believes that one of the most important things we can do to perpetuate traditional crafts is help start the next generation of crafters. We offer a number of classes for youth of various ages.

At this time, parents registering youth should register using the parent's account.

Children's Seasons in Clay...Play!
4 week class, Caregivers and their child 5-8

This weekly class will focus on projects related to the given season: from Harvest time to Halloween. Students will have the opportunity to learn the process of handbuilding from start to finish, bringing home fired work at the end of the series. Projects ideas include leaf pressing and pumkin luminaries.

Full scholarships available for youth with financial need; call 360-350-0187 to apply.

We highly recommend that students bring their own towel and apron.

Show Description

Fee: $152.00
Instructor: Eowyn Smith

Capacity Remaining: 6
Schedule Details:

Dates: 9/18/2021 - 10/9/2021
Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Sessions: 4

Days: Sa
Building: Arbutus Folk School

Room: Ceramic Studio

Children's Storytelling in Clay
Ages 5-8 with parent or guardian

During this 4-week weekly class Caregivers and their child or children ages 5-8 we will share well-known stories and collectively create characters and the places they live, creating our own pathway into imaginations. Students will have the opportunity to learn the process of handbuilding from start to finish. Participants will bring home fired work at the end of the series.

Parents or guardians need only register for one spot for each child they bring. For example, one child and guardian = 1 registration; two children and one guardian = 2 registrations. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Full scholarships available for youth with financial need; call 360-350-0187 to apply.

We highly recommend that students bring their own towel and apron.

Show Description

Fee: $142.00
Instructor: Eowyn Smith

Capacity Remaining: 4
Schedule Details: Wednesday afternoons, 3:30-5 PM

Dates: 9/15/2021 - 10/6/2021
Times: 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Sessions: 4

Days: W
Building: Arbutus Folk School

Room: Ceramic Studio

Make a Miniature Basket with Maria Godines
Ages 14 and up welcome!

Class takes place at Arbutus Folk School.

Learn basket-making skills in miniature by creating a tiny root basket with Warm Springs Wasco artist Maria Godines. Students will weave the basket as well as create a bead & bone necklace from which students may choose to hang their basket as a pendant. Yarn forms the body of the basket with a rim of buckskin added along the top. Finished basket will be about 1 3/4 inches high and 1 1/4 inches in diameter. This folk & traditional arts workshop is supported with funding from Northwest Heritage Resources, a Washington state cultural non-profit organization.

Show Description

Fee: $66.00
Instructor: Maria Godines

Capacity Remaining: 9
Schedule Details: Sunday, 9 am to 1 pm

Dates: 8/15/2021 - 8/15/2021
Times: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sessions: 1

Days: Su
Building: Arbutus Folk School

Room: Ceramic Studio

Sew Moccasins with Maria Godines
Class takes place at Arbutus Folk School.

Create buckskin moccasins with Maria Godines. Open to students ages 14 and older.

This folk & traditional arts workshop is supported with funding from Northwest Heritage Resources, a Washington state cultural non-profit organization.

Class fee waived for members of regional tribes. Please contact info@arbutusfolkschool.org to register and have your fee waived.

Show Description

Fee: $110.00
Instructor: Maria Godines

Capacity Remaining: 8
Schedule Details: 9 am to 5 pm with a half hour lunch break

Dates: 8/14/2021 - 8/14/2021
Times: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sessions: 1

Days: Sa
Building: Arbutus Folk School

Room: Ceramic Studio

Small Dovetail Box
In this class students will learn some fundamental skills of hand tool woodworking through constructing a small dovetail box. On the first day students will learn how to use basic layout tool and will cut a practice dovetail joint. The following days will be committed to cutting joinery, making a simple lid, and applying a finish. Students will become familiar with hand saws, chisels, marking tools, and simple maneuvers on a router table. Students may choose to bring a headlamp for added lighting on fine details. Open to ages 14 and older; children ages 10-14 may be admitted with a parent. This will require both student and parent to be registered. Full scholarships available for youth with financial need; call 360-350-0187 to apply.

Show Description

Fee: $216.00
Instructor: Terry Liberty

Capacity Remaining: 1
Schedule Details: 8/20-8/22: Fri 6-9pm, Sat 10am-4pm, and Sun 10am-4pm

Dates: 8/20/2021 - 8/22/2021
Times: 6:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sessions: 3

Days: Su F Sa
Building: Arbutus Folk School

Room: Woodshop

Three Footed Vessel
Please click the "Add to Waitlist" button below.
In this class, we will explore a variety of ways of forming three footed vessels, which can serve as a vase, a salt pig, a sachet holder and other creative functions. Throwing a slab as well as texturing techniques will be demonstrated, along with the use of slip and decorative techniques. The way of creating three feet for a formed cylinder will be taught, and this technique on a wheel thrown piece will be demonstrated. The first class will be shaping our vessels, and the second class will decorate and glaze our vessels, with approaches including use of oxides, and glazes. No experience is needed, and all levels of experience are welcome. Open to students ages 14 and older; full scholarships available for youth with financial need - call 360-350-0187 for more info.

Show Description
Fee: $59.00
Instructor: Renee Dryfoos

Capacity Remaining: 0
Dates: 8/4/2021 - 8/18/2021

Times: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sessions: 2

Days: W
Building: Arbutus Folk School

Room: Ceramic Studio
Wednesday evenings 7-9pm on August 4 and 18.

Wheel Throwing: 6-Week Class
Please click the "Add to Waitlist" button below.
Ages 14 and up welcome! FREE for youth with financial need - call us at 360-350-0187 for enrollment at no cost.

In this beginner wheel throwing class we will cover the basics of centering on the wheel! We will focus on throwing bowls and cylindrical forms. I will go over trimming your pottery and attaching handles or adornments. There will be demonstration on various surface techniques throughout the process of finishing your pieces, such as adding texture when the clay is wet to layering glazes once the piece has gone through its first firing. Working with clay is the medium in which I use to balance my body and soul and I hope to share that sentiment with you in this 6-week course.

We highly recommend that students bring their own towel and apron.

Show Description
Fee: $280.00
Instructor: Eowyn Smith

Capacity Remaining: -13
Dates: 9/15/2021 - 10/20/2021

Times: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sessions: 6

Days: W
Building: Arbutus Folk School

Room: Ceramic Studio
Wed. eves, 6-9 PM

Youth Pottery Class
Please click the "Add to Waitlist" button below.
Open to students ages 8 to 14, this class is intended to introduce the beginner to basics of clay work and to allow the more experienced student to practice both hand building and wheel throwing techniques. This class creates a lot of room for creativity and exploration, led by two artists experienced in sharing new art skills with young students. In sessions one and three, students will explore wheelthrowing techniques. In session two, students will create an animal-shaped pinch pot, and in session four, students will paint their projects to take home. Scholarships are available for youth with financial need - call us at 360-350-0187 for more info.

Show Description
Fee: $137.00
Instructor: Eowyn Smith, Amanda Hanson

Capacity Remaining: -4
Dates: 8/18/2021 - 8/26/2021

Times: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Sessions: 4

Days: W Th
Building: Arbutus Folk School

Room: Ceramic Studio
Wednesday/Thursday 9-11am, 8/18, 8/19, 8/25, 8/26.

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Contact Us

Email: Info@ArbutusFolkSchool.org

Message phone: (360) 350-0187

Mailing Address

Mailing Address:
120 State Avenue NE, #298
Olympia, WA 98501

Visit Us

Facility Physical Address (no mail please):
610 4th Ave E.
Olympia, WA 98501

Funding for Arbutus Folk School has been provided by Humanities Washington and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act economic stabilization plan of 2020, and by a grant from the Washington State Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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