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!