Heritage Skill Classes

This year, we are excited to offer:

• Basketmaking: Basketmaking is a tradition that predates the arrival of Europeans to the New World. Foxfire offers several options on learning to make beautiful artistic and functional baskets.
• “Cigar Box” Dulcimer Construction: The dulcimer is Appalachia’s sole contribution to the music instrument world. Come learn how to build your own with materials you may have close at hand.
• Folded Bark Baskets: Foxfire is fortunate to have several skill providers able to teach the construction of bark baskets, used for collection, transportation, and organization within the homes of Appalachian peoples.
• Foraging Walks: Foxfire’s 100+ acres includes mountains, wetlands, reclaimed agricultural lands, and several miles of trails to explore, all while learning from naturalists from this area.
• Needle & Wet Felting: Part of the broader base of Fiber Arts, we offer several classes where you can make both functional and artistic items using wool or other fibers.
• Carving and Woodworking: Learn, in one sitting, how to make a spoon or implement using local wood available close at hand. All participants will leave with a completed carving.
• Sewing Basics: Whether for design or application, sewing was a necessary art in most Appalachian homes. Our classes included beginning design up to advanced quilting.
• Weaving and Spinning: Among the oldest heritage skills, our traditions related to making yarn from animal fibers and transforming this into clothing and other items is at the heart of these classes.
• Woodstove Cooking: Classes and demonstrations on woodstoves and open hearth are some of Foxfire’s most popular options. Join us and learn to make traditional foods in the traditional ways.
• Bread and Butter- Sourdough Bread and Buttermaking: Learn the process and technique required to make sourdough bread, as well as the butter to top it!

Build-a-Basket Poplar Bark Basketmaking: 03/21, 04/11, 08/22, 09/19

Bark-to-Basket Poplar Bark Basketmaking: 06/13, 07/11

Basic Basketmaking: 03/28, 04/25, 05/30, 06/27, 08/29, 09/26, 11/28

Basic Blacksmithing Weekend (2-day): 03/28, 04/25

Beginning Weaving (2-day, Fri–Sat): 04/24, 05/29, 08/28, 09/18

Breakfast on the Woodstove: 04/25, 06/27, 08/22, 10/24

Cigar Box Dulcimer Class: 04/18, 06/20, 07/03, 08/22, 10/10

Face Jug Pottery: 03/02, 03/30, 05/18

Flintknapping: 03/21, 05/23, 07/18, 09/19

Forging Fundamentals: 03/14, 04/11

Intro to Yarn Spinning: 08/01

Kids + 1 Basketmaking (Ages 8–14 + Adult): 07/25, 10/31

Needle Felting (Acorns): 03/27

Sourdough Bread & Buttermaking: 03/28, 04/25, 05/16, 06/27, 07/25, 08/22, 09/26, 10/24

Traditional Pottery: 03/04, 04/01, 05/20

Wet Felting a Small Bowl: 04/17

Woodstove Cookery Basics: 03/28, 05/16, 07/25, 09/26, 11/21

Class Cancellation & Refund Policy:
Cancellations made more than two weeks (14 days) before a class are eligible for a 50% refund. Cancellations within two weeks of the class are not refundable. If Foxfire or the demonstrator must cancel a class, participants will receive a full refund or the option to reschedule. Registration closes five days before each class. Most classes require a minimum number of participants; if that minimum is not met, the class may be canceled or rescheduled. In cases of illness or emergency, we will do our best to work with participants on a case-by-case basis.