Craft Weekend
August 7 - 10, 2025
Step into a weekend of hands-on craft, nourishing food, and creative community at the Folk Art Guild.
What’s Included
Craft Weekend is more than just a class—it’s a full immersion into creative life at the Folk Art Guild. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Hands-on workshops
Choose a course that calls to you and receive 18 hours of instruction from experienced teachers in pottery, painting, writing, woodturning, seed saving, and more.
Delicious, farm-fresh meals
All participants enjoy a daily lunch. Overnight guests also receive breakfast and dinner—wholesome meals prepared with care using local ingredients.
Time in nature
Swim in the pond, wander the trails, stargaze at night, or rest in a hammock. Our 350-acre campus of fields, forests, and hand-built studios invites you to slow down.
Open studios & evenings together
After class, keep creating or gather around the fire. Expect music, storytelling, games, and spontaneous fun under the stars.
A welcoming, intergenerational community
Craft Weekend brings together people of all ages and backgrounds—artists, newcomers, and curious hands alike. You'll find encouragement, laughter, and inspiration.
Optional morning yoga
Start your day with gentle Iyengar yoga before breakfast, offered each morning for those who wish to join.
“What a rare atmosphere of positive exploration and sharing. The level of conscious awareness among all participants was healing to me. And, the food was first rate!”
— Craft Weekend Participant
Our Courses
Craft Weekend offers a diverse range of hands-on courses—from traditional crafts to fresh ways of seeing and creating. Set in the lush Finger Lakes region, this four-day event invites students of all levels to explore new skills, connect with others, and deepen their creative practice. With guidance from skilled instructors and a welcoming community, it’s a summer experience you won’t forget.
“I will be back every year. My new tradition.”
-Craft Weekend Participant Feedback
Frequently Asked Questions
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Commuters receive lunch daily (Thursday–Sunday). Overnight guests (lodgers or campers) receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, starting with lunch on Thursday and ending with lunch on Sunday.
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Start by selecting your preferred course from the registration options. Once selected, you’ll answer a few questions including your lodging preferences. If you plan to stay overnight, add your lodging type separately to your cart. When everything is in your cart, complete your checkout by clicking the shopping cart icon at the top of the page.
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Your fee covers:
Your selected course with 18 hours of in-studio instruction
Daily meals from Thursday lunch to Sunday lunch. Lunch is included with all registrations. breakfast and dinner are included with overnight accommodations.
Shared lodging or camping (if selected)
Optional morning yoga and evening open studio time
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Yes. We offer work-study positions and family discounts on a limited basis. Please contact our registrar, Beth Barnet, at marybeth.barnet@gmail.comwith any questions or to inquire about eligibility.
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Each course is a full, immersive experience and runs the entire weekend. Participants choose one workshop for a deep dive into that specific craft.
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Yes—most indoor lodging is located up one flight of stairs in our Romeo Retreat Center, and some studios (such as weaving and woodturning) also involve stairs. Bathrooms are on the first floor. If mobility or accessibility is a concern, please reach out to us directly to discuss accommodations.
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Yes, we do our best to accommodate most dietary needs. You're also welcome to bring your own food or snacks—there’s a shared refrigerator in the Romeo Retreat Center available for participant use.
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Yes, you may use the refrigerator in the Romeo Retreat Center to store your own items.
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During Craft Weekend, our focus is on participants enrolled in workshops, so we’re unable to host casual visitors during this time. But we welcome you to visit another time—our East Hill Gallery is open Saturdays (11–5) and Sundays (1–5), and we offer many public events throughout the season. Check out our event calendar for more info.
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Yes! Our East Hill Gallery is open during regular weekend hours: Saturdays 11–5 and Sundays 1–5. Stop by to see and purchase handcrafted work made by Guild artists.
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Yes—commuters can add breakfast ($20) or dinner ($28) to their registration. Please contact our registrar at marybeth.barnet@gmail.com to add meals to your package.
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Contact our registrar, Beth Barnet, via email at marybeth.barnet@gmail.com or call (585) 314-6131
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Some classes may be appropriate for youth, but it depends on the workshop and the individual. Please contact our registrar at marybeth.barnet@gmail.com to discuss which courses might be a good fit for your specific needs.
Ready to join us?
Whether you're a returning student or new to the Guild, Craft Weekend is a chance to learn, connect, and create in a truly special place. Choose your course, add your lodging, and we’ll see you this August.
Connect with the land through open-air drawing and painting. This class welcomes all levels and offers daily demos and one-on-one instruction as you create works inspired by the Guild’s landscape. Bring your own materials or opt into a supply fee.