Arsenault, Marjolaine
Marjolaine is an award-winning fiber artist fascinated by the creative process of making seamless nuno felt garments. Her work is known for its originality, striking color palette and beauty. Marjolaine enjoys sharing her passion for felting through in-person classes and online courses. She participated at national juried craft shows for 10 years to sell her garments. Her teaching experience includes: 2022 Pacific Northwest Art School, WA; Felt::Feutre Canada Online 2021 Fall Workshop and 2018 Symposium, NS Canada; Felter’s RendezVous, Estes, CO; New England Felting Supply, Easthampton, MA; Opulent Fibers, Portland, OR and Private Studios in USA and Canada since 2011. Featured in Fiber Art Now Magazine, Worldwide Colors of Felt and PBS AHA! A House for the Arts. Her collection was presented in the Electric City Fashion Shows in 2016 and 2017, NY. Awards include: Fiber Art Now Magazine, Excellence in Fibers Award; Chicago Botanical Garden Craft Show, Excellence Award, Chicago, IL; Palm Beach Fine Craft Show, Collector’s Award, Palm Beach, FL.
Barsky, Arnie
After retiring from a job as a materials engineer, Arnie started blacksmithing 7 years ago. He has been a volunteer at AFS for the past several years, assisting in the blacksmith shop and with Open Forge Nights. Arnie specializes in bladesmithing and enjoys making various knife styles.
Boughton, Barbara
Barbara studied art at the University of New Hampshire and photography at the University of CA, San Francisco. Upon moving back to Taborton Mountain, Sand Lake, NY, Barbara took up residence on her great-great grandparents’ homestead, and became interested in doing things the old way. Now a basket weaver and fiber artist, she teaches and shows her work as Meyers Forge Heritage Arts. Barbara’s work focuses on the relationship between form and function, combining the graceful lines of the Shakers with the complexity and fluidity of twill patterns. Weaving with reed, wood splint, bark, and other found objects, Barbara creates original designs, hand-shaping each basket, revealing its unique dimensionality. Along with doing things the old way, Barbara is also a blacksmithing student at the Adirondack Folk School.
Brandt, Betsy & Susie
Artists/sisters, Betsy Brandt and Susie Brandt’s experiences of growing up in the southern Adirondacks has often been reflected in their painting, ceramics, textiles and installations that have been shown throughout the US and abroad. Over many years they have each taught in colleges and craft centers such as SUNY Adirondack, Siena College in Loudonville, NY, Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle, Maine and The Arrowmont School in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. They currently lice and work right down the street from the Adirondack Folk School in Lake Luzerne.
Brandt, Susie
Susie Brandt is an artist who grew up in the southern Adirondacks where she often came across quilt tops made from remnants from shirt factories in Corinth and Glens Falls. Brandt works in a wide range of textile media and her work has been shown nationally and internationally. Over many years she has taught in both colleges and craft centers such as SUNY Adirondack, Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle, Maine and Teh Arrowmont School in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. She currently lives and works right down the street from the Adirondack Folk School in Lake Luzerne.
Breuer, Teresa
Theresa has been creating botanical lampshades for more than 12 years. She first practiced and learned the craft at Lean-2 Studio in Adirondack where she worked for over 10 years. She is now the owner and head designer at Northeast Living Lights where her works of art include wall sconces, hanging pendants, and even chandeliers. All of her shades are made by hand using botanicals she finds here in the Adirondacks. Teresa’s wall sconces and hanging pendants are crafted using the same technique and feature birch bark and driftwood accents.
Cerveny, Benjamin
After seeing a video on how to make cutting boards, Ben decided it was something he just had to try! Equipped with only a chop saw and an orbital sander, he made two and was hooked. At Singing Hound Designs, he strives to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces, using mostly scrap or reclaimed wood.
Cornelius, Beverly
Beverly began weaving in 1996. Her hobby quickly became a serious study of decorative as well as utilitarian baskets. Her weaving has a strong foundation in hand shaping and she draws inspiration from Shaker and Native American designs. Beverly weaves in both Reed and Ash. She has taught at the Adirondack Folk School since it opened and derives great pleasure and inspiration from her students. Her website can be found at beverlycornelius.com.
Davis, Caleb
Born in Cape Cod and brought up in Montreal, Canada, Caleb’s educational background includes a graduate degree in Leisure and Environmental Resources Administration. He started his business TREMOLO in 1990 to make and sell traditionally-shaped wooden canoe paddles and canoes. He also teaches the traditional flat-water canoeing style. Caleb is a member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen and has conducted many one-day paddle making classes and canoeing skills classes, as well as strip canoe making classes. He is Co-founder and Instructor at the Traditional Flat-water Canoeing Association. He is a demonstrator at major museums including the Adirondack Museum.
Dennis, Krysta
Krysta has a great deal of teaching experience, having taught at the University of Notre Dame, University of Kent in the UK, and now at Siena College in Loudonville, NY. At Siena, she is the producer for the Creative Arts Department, and teaches theatre courses and fiber arts courses. While she has a PhD in Theatre and Globalization Studies, she began learning fiber arts at home from her mother, then continued her education in the costume shop at the University of Notre Dame. She has continued to practice embroidery, knitting, sewing, crochet, and weaving throughout her career. Krysta teaches two fiber arts classes at Siena – one in knitting and another in embroidery. She has a number of publications and awards in various areas of creative practice.
Dvorak, Caroline
Caroline has been weaving rag rugs for five years, after taking classes from Hilary Cooper-Kenny. A significant portion of her “day job” is training new and existing staff on computer software. Weaving appeals to her linear, technical side – you have to be exacting in setting up the loom. But once you are weaving, you can be incredibly creative. Caroline chooses to make rag-rugs because recycling materials that would otherwise be thrown away fits with her practical nature.
Dvorak, Teresa
Teresa (Teri) began weaving over 20 years ago, taking a series of lessons from an accomplished weaver in Manchester, CT. From there she attended a one-day a week, 4 year intensive weaving program at the Hill Institute in Florence, MA under the instruction of master weaver Jeanetta Jones. Over the years Teri has belonged to various Weaving Guilds and taken classes at conferences. She has taught dyeing workshops at guilds and has done weaving demonstrations at fairs and schools. More recently, while living in Colorado, as a member of the Wet Mountain Weavers Guild she participated in community weaving activities with local school children, taught different weave structures at meetings and sold her handwovens in their annual show and sale.
Eberhardt, Chrissey
Chrissey believes in the priceless value of traditional skills and the need to pass them along to others. Her aunt taught her the art of soap making more than 30 years ago. Today, she has a small soap making business and is frequently featured at local farmers’ markets. In addition to soap making, Chrissey is an avid spinner, weaver, flax-processor, and does pot-dyeing using materials gathered from the woods.
Flinchbaugh, Janet
Janet received her degree from Ball State University and was a speech therapist for several years. During that time, she took classes in needlework at the Elsa Williams School of Needlework in MA. She taught needlework for several years and was a member of the Adirondack Artisans (a group of artists from the Adirondack area). More than 25 years ago, she studied floor cloth stenciling with a member of the Society of Early American Decorators. Janet and her art have been featured in several publications, including Early American Life Magazine’s Directory of the 200 best craftspeople in the country. She has rugs in several state and federal historic sites, including the John Jay House in Westchester, NY.
Gallant, Janet
Janet learned to sew when she was 7 years old. As a 4-H member, she competed in several sewing shows and was invited to participate in several garment “runway” shows. Janet is a quilter, who in retirement also learned to spin yarn and weave, and she creates garments with her handwoven fabric. Janet was an elementary school educator for many years and now brings her love for teaching and fiber together to share with those who want to learn to weave, spin, quilt and sew.
Games, Roberta
Roberta, an Adirondack resident and multiple award-winning designer, spends countless hours in the outdoors observing and gathering the natural elements she incorporates into her designs. As a Biology and Art major in college, she loves to create with an emphasis on the natural surroundings found in the Adirondacks, blending her two majors. She also brings her knowledge of the flora and fauna of the area to her classes. Roberta has many years of experience teaching and enjoys sharing her love of artisan crafts.
Gibson, Cosby & Staudle, Tom
Cosby Gibson and Tom Staudle have been performing for twelve years, and tour regionally and nationally. Cosby is Grammy balloted and writes unique acoustic and folk-style songs, with awards for Best Folk Album for the Capital District Original Music Awards in 2017 and 2018, and Dorn Space Arts Award for Best Folk Album, 2021. Tom writes and performs in acoustic, Americana and Blues styles, with awards for Best Folk Lyrics for the Capital District Original Music Awards in 2018, and Dorn Space Arts Breakthrough Artist if the Year in 2021. His songs have been in rotation since 2020 on WEXT Radio and streaming, Albany/Troy, NY, and on Top Songs of 2021 List, WEXT-FM. WEXT is currently playing an original song by Cosby. Cosby and Tom are also the recipients of the Dorn Space Arts Award for Music Outreach in 2019. Cosby and Tom enjoy teaching and seeing students grow in their knowledge, learn about and carry on tradition, and become independent in songwriting. Their professional experience allows them to guide students with a range of foals for their writing, from being a hobby to commercial distribution.
Goldberg, Patricia
Patricia is a former computer programming consultant and owner of her own consulting company. Her interest in gardening stems from her early years in the Adirondacks, watching her parents work with their rock garden, vegetable garden, and houseplants. She brings to the garden her love of growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers, and the excitement generated while watching a seed turn into a dinner dish. Patricia has been gardening in one form or another for as long as she can remember. She was introduced to the square foot method about 20 years ago and has used it ever since. Patricia has been a member of the Lake Luzerne community since childhood and as an active resident of our town. She hopes teaching at the Adirondack Folk School will be one more way she can give back to the area she loves.
Gurzler, Steve
Steve is a knowledgeable and skilled blacksmith with many years of experience. He is an Artist Blacksmith Association of North America Certified Level 1 Blacksmithing Instructor. Steve demonstrates blacksmithing for the Adirondack Folk School and other non-profit groups. He enjoys reproducing historic cooking implements and making tools to make tools to make things.
Heidemann, Derek
Derek began a blacksmith apprenticeship at the young age of 14 at the Moses Wilder Blacksmith Shop at Old Sturbridge Village. He studied historic ironwork and has a traditional blacksmithing practice. He founded Resurrection Iron Works in 2011, where he forges traditional iron pieces for the public, museums and other institutions. Examples of his work can be found at Old Sturbridge Village, Coggeshall Farm Museum, The USS Constitution Museum, Fort Ticonderoga, and Genesee Country Village & Museum. All items are completely forged, filed and fitted by hand in order to achieve the highest quality reproductions possible.
Heilman II, Carl
Carl Heilman II has been photographing the wild Adirondack landscape since 1975, working to capture on film both the grandeur of this special region, and the emotional connection he has felt as well. As a full-time professional photographer, his work has been published in many regional and national publications including: books, magazines, calendars, posters, and prints. Carl has also produced several multi-image programs on the region that have been shown all around NY State, as well as on PBS. His most recent show, ‘Wild Visions’, available on video, is a program about our relationship with the wilderness and our spiritual connection with the Earth. His program ‘Adirondacks: A Wilderness of Waterways’ is shown daily at the Adirondack Park Visitors’ Interpretive Centers. Carl Heilman’s photography was recently published in a book by Rizzoli. This celebrated panoramic format book, ‘Adirondacks: Views of An American Wilderness’, includes panoramas and standard format images from all over the Adirondack Park. His latest books include ‘Contemporary Landscape Photography’, ‘The Landscape Photography Field Guide’, and ‘The Adirondacks’. More information about his work can be found on his website, www.carlheilman.com.
Hubbard, Christine
Seat weaving has been a part of Christine’s life for over 25 years. Her repertoire includes the traditional 7-step caning pattern, pressed can, and splint weaving-including flat reed, hickory bark, and binder caning, Shaker tape, rush, and sea grass. Christine has demonstrated these techniques for a long time, working at the Great Sagamore Camp since 1999, doing chair caning for the public through the New York State Council of the Arts every year since, also at the 18th Century Day at the Philip Schuyler House in Schuylerville, NY, the Harvest Festival held in Shushan, NY, and at the Washington County Fair in Easton, NY.
Christine has also enjoyed and taught letterboxing for over 12 years, finding delightful nature trails, fascinating and unique sites as she searched for hidden treasures.
Johns, Carol
Carol comes to us all the way from Raleigh, NC and loves everything related to quilting. With too many years of quilting experience to count she has taught several classes on various techniques and projects at local quilt shops and weekend quilting retreats in the Raleigh area.
Joyce, Cheryl
Cheryl is a recent retiree from teaching chemistry at Paul Smiths College for 30 years. A resident of Saranac Lake, she loves the world of medicinal mushrooms. She has team taught mushroom courses at Paul Smiths College, where she taught the medicinal portion. She has team taught medicinal mushroom workshops at the Paul Smiths VIC and has given talks about mushrooms to the Saranac Lake Free Library and the Local UU Church. She was a member and co-advisor of the mushroom club at Paul Smiths College and she harvests medicinal mushrooms locally to make tinctures and grows her own oyster mushrooms for personal use.
Kingsley, John
John has over 30 years of hands on experience in woodworking, from furniture making and restoration, to functional and ornamental turnings. John has been a turning instructor for the Capital Region Arts Center for several years. He is a member of the Northeastern Woodworking Association and holds a leadership role and is a board member for the Adirondack Woodturners Association. John is also a member of the International Association of Penturners and the American Association of Woodturners. His work is featured in private collections throughout the region.
Lind, Mathilde
Mathilde has been teaching spinning and wool preparation since around 2011. She started teaching in Portland, Oregon when she was a member of the Aurora Colony Handspinners Guild. Since then, she has taught and done public spinning demonstrations in Oregon, Indiana, Estonia and New York. Mathilde just completed a dissertation on wool production and spinning in Estonia for Indiana University’s Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology. She currently teaches fiber arts as part of her work as the Director of Programs and Research at Traditional Arts in Upstate NY in Canton.
Macica, Martin
Martin has taught many different Instrument Building classes over the years. He taught for 5 years at Northeast Woodworking Association located in Half Moon, NY, teaching Violin Making, Arched Top Guitar Making, and F5 Mandolin Making courses. Martin has worked the past 7 years at Maplewood Center for Common Craft in Greenwich, NY teaching a Dreadnought Guitar Course.
Mara, Lorraine
Lorraine started woodburning after taking a class at AFS. She learned the basics taught in the class and has continued learning and practicing on her own since then.
Marks, Annie
Annie Marks is an award-winning playwright and script consultant who has been helping people tell their stories for over twenty years. Her work has been produced off-Broadway in New York City and in theater around the country, and she has facilitated numerous writers workshops for beginners and professionals alike. She studied creative writing at New York University and holds an M.A. in English from Indiana University with a focus in literary criticism. She is a member of the Dramatist Guild.
McCormack, Brian
Brian has over 30 years of experience teaching at locations such as the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, Akwesasne, Martins Station National Park Service, Virginia, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Saratoga County, NY, various historic sites throughout New York State such as Fort William Henry Museum, Fort Klock, Crown Point, Fort Ticonderoga, Fort Niagra, in New Hampshire at Fort at No 4, in Vermont at the Hubberton Battlefield and Bennington Battlefields. His Living History classes, and wampum beading have been successful, and students walk away with both a new skill and the understanding of the historical value of whit it signified in the 18th century. Brian is a veteran and is proud of his mixed blood Mohawk and Scottish Heritage.
Miller, Nancy
Nancy Miller has been creating versatile yet uncommon jewelry since 1993. She takes full advantage of the unique characteristics of pure silver metal clay that accepts textures readily, forms fluid curves, and invites spontaneity during the design and construction processes. Nancy has received awards for her jewelry at Colorscape Chenango and Art on the Mountain shows. She developed and continues to coordinate a jewelry program for seriously ill children at the Double H Hole-in-the-Woods Ranch, a camp founded by Paul Newman and Charles R. Wood. The program has the full support of the Precious Metal Clay (PMC) Guild and Rio Grande. Nancy was an invited presenter at the 2006 PMC Conference. You can find out more about Nancy at her website, here.
Mullein, Margo
Margo has been a practicing, certified herbalist since 1998. She has taught privately, for groups, and for organizations such as the Lake George Land Conservancy and Wiawaka Holiday House. She is involved in the Native American community of the Hudson River Valley, and practices the ancient Celtic Ceile De tradition. Margo is the founder of a Native American Teaching Circle, “Women of the 13 Moons” now in its 5th year. She enjoys guiding others to nurture and deepen their relationship with the earth, through lectures, educational classes, walks on the wild side, weekend workshops, and retreats.
Nazarenko, Dona
Weaving since 1988, Dona started teaching classes in 1992 throughout NJ at school campus’, local basketry guilds and at various galleries. Having won numerous awards, Dona has also been recognized on local TV, in newspapers, magazines and articles in several basketry newsletters. Not slowing down after moving to Tunbridge, VT in 1996 she has continued to teach classes across the country and also holds classes at her quiet and secluded “Country Spirit Basket” studio on her property with her husband Warren. Dona does not focus on one style of basketry or one medium. She also enjoys the gifts of nature which she shares with students, for example through the use of birch bark. Warren and Dona can be found harvesting birch bark on their property where Dona is accredited with teaching over 85 birch bark designs and more than 135 reed baskets.
Oles, Leah
Felting is a hobby that Leah developed after retiring from teaching at the elementary level for 35 years. It addresses her urge to problem solve and be creative. Around 6 years ago, Leah taught herself how to use carded wool and wire armature to create various kinds of woodland animals. She has mainly focused on birds and mammals that she might see in her own backyard. but through various requests, she has broadened her range of different animals. Leah has sold her work at the Ballard Craft Fair in past years.
Orsini, Ernest
Ernest’s career spans 32 years. At 14, he helped his father build a dry laid retaining wall that still stands today. Ernest was an apprentice through high school and college. Upon graduating, he started his own business, Ernston Land Co. He has been involved in hundreds of residential and commercial masonry projects from walls to patios, fireplaces and chimneys to constructing solid stone arches. Ernest has used all types of stone and has been associated with many challenging stone constructions. Ernest also enjoys skiing and snowmobiling and spending time with his wife and two-year-old son.
Parkinson, Matthew
From an early age, Matthew was fascinated by blacksmithing, knives and swords. As a young teen he made his first knife from an old file under the direction of his grandfather. Using his early exposure to knifemaking and his training in machining, Matthew began teaching himself the basics of blacksmithing and bladesmithing. In 1998, he formed MP Metalworks and began selling his work at Renaissance Fairs throughout the northeast. In 2005, Matthew formed Falling Hammer Productions along with Jamie Lundell and Peter Swarz-Burt. Falling Hammer Productions designs, manufacturers and installs interior and exterior ironwork for homes in CT, NY, NJ and MA. In 2007 they formed Dragons Breath Forge, a subsidiary of FHP to produce and market swords, knives and armor. Since 2007, Matthew has been teaching blacksmithing and bladesmithing at the Brookfield Craft Center, the Guilford Arts Center, Peters Valley School of Craft, and New England School of Metalwork, along with private lessons in his own shop. In 2015, Matt won the first ever episode of History Channel’s Forged in Fire. Watch Matt’s Home Forge Tour from season three.
Petrequin, Mac
Mac has been playing Bluegrass Banjo for about 35 years. A full-time math teacher by day, Mac not only enjoys playing but teaching others as well. He has been giving private lessons in the area for years. Mac also plays Dobro guitar and upright bass. To hear Mac play, click here.
Pintar, Eric
Eric has taught box making workshops for 12 years. He is a partner at the Home Shop in Charlotte, MI, which supplies woodworkers worldwide with instruction and materials for making Shaker oval boxes. Coming on board as a junior in high school 16 years ago, Eric has made a career serving the needs of craftsmen near and far. He has taught at the Nantucket Historical Association’s 1800 House, Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts, the Northwest Indiana Woodworkers Association, the Porcupine Mountains Folk School, and the Anderson Center for the Arts.
Polunci, Don
Don is a retired art and photography teacher from Glens Falls High School and acted as the Art Department Coordinator there for three years. Don has also served as vice president of the Adirondack Camera Club and president of the Southern Adirondack Audubon Society. He is a published photographer and was a finalist in an ADK Life photo contest in 2010. Don has participated in a number of juried art shows and is very active in the local arts community.
Riihimaki, David
David Riihimaki has been a member of the Adirondack School Board of Directors since 2015 and a resident of Corinth since 2003. He has worked as a commercial banker for Glens Falls National Bank since 2013, helping business owners in the Capital region with their financial needs. On occasion, Dave’s wife, Meghan, and their children, Anna and Lila, can be found at the Folk School enjoying a slice of pizza from the on-site wood-fired pizza oven that Dave operates. The rest of the time, they make him feel like the luckiest guy in the world. Dave got involved with the Adirondack Folk School because it provides hands-on engagement with great projects and wonderful instructors and helps him feel more connected to the Adirondack region.
Sargent, Dick
Dick Sargent, a master Blacksmith, has demonstrated and taught workshops nationally throughout his career. He has been a professional blacksmith for 40 years and has owned and operated his own forge since 1973. His focus is on high-end architectural work and reproduction hardware. Starting in a small shop in Vermont, he worked with Frank Grapes, and in 1974 partnered with Tony Millham who founded Star Forge in Newport, Rhode Island. For two years they produced a prodigious amount of reproduction hardware for period homes sponsored by the Newport Restoration Foundation. Dick then established his own shop in Vermont where he sold reproduction hardware through his own catalog. In the early 1990’s he also began producing forged elements for other shops. Recently, Dick was the Blacksmithing Studio Department Head at Peters Valley School of Craft where he oversaw the studio and organized the blacksmithing educational program.
Schechter, Howard
Chasing the sharpest edge possible has consumed Howard’s time and efforts for the past 22 years. He started making knives in 1973 and has worked diligently to get blades of all types as sharp as possible with a repeatable process that can be replicated by other people. Over the years he has studied whetstones in museums around the world and has amassed a huge study collection of rocks which have been used for various purposes by craftsmen around the world throughout time. All of Howard’s sharpening work is done under magnification and he has invented tools and processes for sharpening quickly and to a keen edge. Howard teaches sharpening and honing at several schools and finds joy in teaching others how to keep their tools sharp. Howard works from his home in Shrewsbury, MA, and is the proprietor of The Perfect Edge. He is also a university professor who is applying his research skills to honing and sharpening.
Scherz, Linda
Linda started weaving baskets in the fall of 1987, shortly after moving to Northern NY. Her interest in weaving quickly expanded to designing, teaching, exhibitions and juried shows. She has won numerous awards for her baskets. Linda enjoys working with a variety of materials, including reed, bark that she harvests, waxed linen, beads and other various materials. While much was self-taught, she has attended several conferences to learn other techniques and how to work with other materials. She feels there is always more for one to learn. She is known for her intricate patterns, eye for color and incorporating different materials in her designs. Linda teaches throughout the United States for various guilds, conferences, art centers and organizations. She enjoys sharing her basketry knowledge and experience with her students. It’s rewarding to see their progress and excitement with what they have learned and made. See some of Linda’s work at www.adirondackbasketry.com.
Schreiner, Jim
Jim, of Great Sacandaga Designs, has been building rustic and traditional furniture professionally since the early 90′s. His designs are outstanding works of arts, as well as functional treasures. Jim lives and works in one of the three octagonal log cabins that he built with his family in the 70′s and 80′s on the South Shore of the Sacandaga Lake in Day, NY. Jim’s furniture is seen regularly at the Rustic Furniture Fair held at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY. If there is an unusual or large custom piece of Adirondack rustic furniture to be created, more times than not, people will seek Jim out for these one of a kind pieces . . . and they won’t be disappointed. Earlier in Jim’s life, he was an alternate on the US Olympic Kayak Team. While missing the final cut by a tenth of a second, Jim was recently inducted into the Canoe, Kayak, and Cycling Hall of Fame in Utica, NY.
Sinicki, Paul
Paul has been a fly fisher for over 15 years and is the president of the Capital District Fly Fishers. He has taught fly tying and casting for the Capital District Fly Fishers for a number of year and was a featured tyer at the Goldstocks Annual Cabin Fever Days and The American Museum of Fly Fishing in Manchester, VT, and can often be seen at the fly fishing booth at the Saratoga County Fair. In addition, Paul teaches rod repair, as well as tying flies for earrings and pins.
Swanberry, Mark
Mark is a traditional artist who works primarily with copper and stone. He draws his inspirations from the natural beauty and harmony he sees in the Boreal forest around him and strives to incorporate the philosophy of Feng Shui in his work. He has taught classes at public schools, local Grange and private lessons. Teaching his craft, enlightening others to all the inspiration offered by nature, and continuing to create is his present and future contribution to community and culture. Mark’s work can be found at several galleries throughout the Adirondacks.
Thorman, Art
Art has been teaching and demonstrating tinsmithing for over 12 years. Drawing on his experience as an American history teacher for over 35 years, he is able to combine teaching and craftsmanship in a way that makes learning fun. Art specializes in 17th and 18th Century reproductions. He can often be found at French and Indian War and Revolutionary War reenactments peddling his wares to soldiers and their wives. Art’s work can be found in the gift shops at Fort William Henry, the Old Stone Fort, and the Mabee Farm, as well as gift shops throughout the Capital District. He also has extensive experience cooking over open fires with a variety of cast iron ware and tin roasters. He claims he can cook anything over an open fire that can be cooked in a modern kitchen. Read more about Art, here.
Ulrich, Walter K.
Walter has been an instructor at the Adirondack Folk School since its inception, and is a resident of Hadley. With a background in Math, Chemistry and Physics for the Department of Defense, Walter is an avid woodworker.
Van Buren, Cody
Cody has roughly 10 years of experience teaching privately and at various historic sites throughout New York State such as Fort William Henry Museum, Fort Klock, Crown Point, Fort Niagra and in New Hampshire at Fort at No 4. Cody’s Living History classes and flint knapping have always been a passion because of his mixed blood Mohawk, Scottish and Dutch heritage, which he can trace back to the 1600’s, and because he loves teaching! Cody always makes sure that he communicates in a way that his students understand the fundamentals of flint knapping and the historical value it had for so many peoples in the 18th century.
Vanderhoef, Colleen
Colleen has been teaching Studio Art classes in NY State public schools for 25 years, and adult level clay classes at a community art center for the past 8 years. She has received several art awards within the school districts and her community has granted her “Artist of the Year”. She has experience teaching Drawing. Painting, Color Theory, Watercolor, Sculpture, and more. Her passion for clay is where she most enjoys creating; both hand-building and wheel throwing. She is known to be a painterly glazer, as she strives to perfect color on clay forms.
Vaughn, John
John has been a stained glass artist from his home studio since 2017. Generally self-taught, he makes part of his living selling Tiffany-style and mosaic stained glass art and home décor items on Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and at craft fairs. In 1995 he earned a teaching certificate from the University of Colorado in secondary education. John has been a high school substitute teacher and volunteer math tutor for Literacy NY.
Verdant, T Breeze
T Breeze has 35 years of professional practice in the art of marquetry and inlay, and 25 years of teaching 1-week classes at John C Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. He has been published in 9 different books, featured in numerous articles, and has received several awards through the years at various shows and Vermont Wood Manufacturers events. Over the past couple years, Breeze has been teaching classes on inlaying jewelry, which has encouraged him to teach more! The Adirondacks have always been his spiritual home; their beauty and depth giving him a foundation to live from. Everything Breeze practices has been self-taught, and he believes that helps him to connect with students.
Wager, Jeff
A self-taught leather worker, Jeff has been designing and creating hand-stitched leather goods for several years. He makes wallets, bags, key chains, belts, guitar straps and more.
Warrington, Alex
Alex has been studying and teaching eastern woodland Indian culture (his own mixed heritage) and French and Indian War history for more than 35 years. He has learned from his father and elders and worked with local historians such as the late Dr. David Starbuck, John Strough, the Warren County and Glans Falls Historical Society and many others in the great Adirondack region and tri-County area. One of his specialties is recreating traditional attire, and he is well versed in all of the different types of moccasins that were made and worn by the tribes of the eastern woodland Indians. He has many years of experience making many types of moccasins such as gathered pucker toe, center seam, center seam-pucker toe, vamp toe styles and muk-a-luk.
Wilson, Dennis
More than 10 years ago, Dennis pursued an interest in wood and chip carving. He has studied his craft with master carver Wayne Barton. He has “chipped” more than 200 pieces that include plaques, Christmas ornaments, jewelry boxes, tea boxes, hearth stools, rocking chairs and candle holders. Dennis serves on the Board of Directors of North Country Arts, which sponsors three galleries in Glens Falls, New York and Chestertown, New York. He has exhibited his work in various galleries in the Adirondack region.
Yorburg, Bob
Bob Yorburg is a professional woodcarver and restorer based in Schuylerville, NY. His fanciful ornamental carvings have been featured on numerous magazine covers worldwide. Bob earned his B.A. at Wesleyan University, studied design at Harvard Graduate School of Design, Parsons School of Design and the Institute of Architecture and Urban Studies with Peter Eisenman, and he has trained with master carvers. Bob teaches throughout the US and taught wood and metal sculpture at CUNY. His writing includes “Woodcarving Illustrated” and his book “Acanthus Carving & Design” walking carvers through technique and design step by step.