Working with materials raised, grown, and harvested from the beautiful land here in Swannanoa, this sampler course introduces students to a variety of fiber arts skills and materials. Projects may include a felted bag or plant hanger made from wool raised at the farm, coiled baskets created with pine needles and other locally gathered materials such as daylily leaves or kudzu, and a set of hand-dyed napkins using natural dyes grown in our dye garden. Together, we will learn where these materials come from, how to process them by hand, and how to transform them into beautiful, functional objects. Along the way, we will explore the histories of these practices while engaging in contemporary making.

Tage Frid was a Danish-born woodworker, educator and author. His design work was often in the Danish-modern style, best known for his three legged stool.

Calling all ye star-gazers, power-wielders, tower builders, dig-deepers, loyal companions, and lovers of good tilled earth. Inspired by contemplative spiritual practice across a broad spectrum of mystical traditions, this course supports a personal inquiry into how the archetypes and dramas alive in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth play out across our own interior landscapes. Students can expect to employ a wide-range of tools from the thinking, feeling, and doing Contemplative’s toolbox, including close-reading, meditating, writing, discourse, visual art practice, meditation, and integration. The process is developed to inform and sharpen our own discernment as we learn to carry out the tasks appointed to us in our lifetimes. Curiosity and courage are required as well as familiar with Tolkien’s book, The Lord of the Rings, whether that means you’ve been picking it up every September since high school or you binge listen to it for the first time the month before class commences.

This week-long mindfulness photography course invites participants to slow down and connect with the present moment while exploring the art of seeing.

This hands-on course focuses on transforming wild Appalachian ingredients into thoughtful, finished dishes and preparations. Ingredients will be responsibly harvested and selected in advance so we can devote our time to working with them confidently and precisely. Participants will leave with practical techniques and a framework for incorporating wild Appalachian ingredients into everyday cooking — without needing to be expert foragers. This course emphasizes confidence, stewardship, and depth of understanding: taking an ingredient from raw state to finished plate with clarity and intention.