Our Upcoming Events
Craft Weekend 2026
Join us for Craft Weekend 2026! Four days of hands-on craft workshops like writing, drawing, theater, seed sowing, pottery, woodworking, and more, with about 18 hours of instruction alongside experienced makers. Meals, open studios, and time outdoors are all part of the experience.
Lecture on the Lawn: Poetry Reading- Local Voices
An afternoon of poetry under the trees with local writers sharing original work.
Lecture on the Lawn: Mennonite History and Culture
An introduction to Mennonite life, history, and tradition with Ivan Martin.
Learn to Weave Workshop
Spend a weekend at the loom exploring the craft of weaving. Custom instruction for all levels. Overnight options available.
Open House & Apple Festival
Save the date for our annual Open House and Apple Festival at the Folk Art Guild!
Lecture on the Lawn: End of Life, Choice, and Care
A conversation with Dr. Robert Horowitz on how we approach serious illness and the end of life.
Holiday Studio Sale
Spend Thanksgiving weekend at the Rochester Folk Art Guild's Holiday Studio Sale, November 27-29, 2026. Shop handmade pottery, weaving, woodworking, clothing, and more while exploring our working studios and meeting the artisans who create them.
East Hill Gallery Holiday Hours
East Hill Gallery will be open with extended holiday hours during weekends in December. Stop by for handcrafted pottery, weaving, woodworking, natural fiber clothing, and more, all made by Guild artisans. Find thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting local craft.
East Hill Gallery Holiday Hours
East Hill Gallery will be open with extended holiday hours during weekends in December. Stop by for handcrafted pottery, weaving, woodworking, natural fiber clothing, and more, all made by Guild artisans. Find thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting local craft.
Navajo Weaving Workshop
Learn Navajo weaving with internationally acclaimed artist Marilou Schultz in this immersive four-day workshop at the Rochester Folk Art Guild. Weave your own small rug on an upright loom while learning traditional techniques, design principles, and the cultural heritage of Navajo weaving. Open to all skill levels, with all materials included.
Lecture on the Lawn: Shake on the Lake presents A Comedy of Errors
Join us for an afternoon of live theater with Shake on the Lake as they bring A Comedy of Errors to life with humor, movement, and inventive staging.
Mushroom Dyeing Workshop
Explore the rich and unexpected colors of fungi in this two-day hands-on workshop focused on natural dyeing on silk with Tonya Pettit
National Craft Open Studios Weekend
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at our working studios during National Craft Open Studios Weekend. Meet artists, explore traditional crafts, and experience life in our creative community in the Finger Lakes.
Lecture on the Lawn: Mushroom Dyes 101
Join us for a talk with Tonya Pettit, exploring the process of working with mushroom dyes and the incredible world of color they offer.
Artist Talk with David MacDonald
Join us on Friday, July 10 at 7:00 PM for a free artist talk with celebrated ceramic artist David MacDonald.
Lidded Vessels Workshop with David MacDonald
Join nationally recognized ceramic artist David MacDonald for a three-day pottery workshop exploring lidded vessel forms, functional ceramics, and decorative surface. Prior wheel throwing experience required.
Lecture on the Lawn: Poetry to Music
An afternoon of poetry set to music with Curt & Nani Nehring Bliss.
Flute Magic: Songs & Prayers
Join flutist Paul Schliffer and pianist Joseph Pepper for a free concert featuring music by Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Fauré, Ravel, José Lezcano, Thomas de Hartmann, and others.
Creating Resonance Retreat: Student & Faculty Recital
Celebrate the conclusion of the Creating Resonance Retreat with an afternoon recital featuring retreat participants alongside faculty artists.
Creating Resonance Retreat: Faculty Recital
Join us for an evening of flute music performed by the faculty artists of the Creating Resonance Retreat at the Rochester Folk Art Guild.
Lecture on the Lawn: What is Folk Art?
Join us for the kickoff of the 2026 Lecture on the Lawn series with a conversation with Guild craftspeople exploring what folk art is and how it takes shape through practice and process.
Broom Making Workshop
Learn the traditional Appalachian craft of broom making with Curt Cable at the Rochester Folk Art Guild, May 15–17, 2026. Over three days, participants will craft several styles of handmade brooms while exploring the history, techniques, and natural materials behind this enduring folk art tradition. No experience needed.
East Hill Gallery Opening Weekend
Celebrate the opening of East Hill Gallery with a new season of handcrafted work from the Guild.
Celebrating Seven Decades of Craft and Community: Meet the Craftspeople
Meet the artists and makers of the Rochester Folk Art Guild during this informal, drop-in afternoon in the gallery. Learn more about the work in the exhibition and the lives behind it, with a chance to ask questions and connect.
Bud Grafting Workshop
Join us for a hands-on Bud Grafting Workshop at the Rochester Folk Art Guild, in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Grafting is a traditional orchard practice that allows you to add new varieties to existing apple trees without planting new trees. It is also an important way to preserve heirloom varieties and increase diversity and resilience in your orchard.
Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
Join us for a hands-on Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop at the Rochester Folk Art Guild, in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension.
The Rochester Folk Art Guild: Celebrating Seven Decades of Craft and Community at the Rochester Public Library
Celebrate 70 years of craft and community with the Rochester Folk Art Guild at the Central Library of Rochester. Historic and contemporary work, archival photos, and a timeline tracing the Guild’s story. March 16 – May 23.
Artist Talk with Navajo Weaver, Marilou Schultz
Join us for a free artist talk with Marilou Schultz, a fourth-generation Diné (Navajo) weaver. She will share images and stories from her work and talk about how she builds on traditional weaving techniques while creating new and unexpected designs. Registration requested.
Navajo Weaving Workshop
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Navajo weaving in this rare opportunity to learn from acclaimed weaver Marilou Schultz, one of the finest Navajo artisans in the world. This workshop not only offers participants the chance to weave a small rug on an upright loom but also provides invaluable insights into the cultural significance and technical intricacies of this revered art form.
Mobile Monastery Chautauqua Tour Presents: Movement Flow, Circling, and Dharma Talk: Data Addiction – How a Need for Data is Killing Everything
Hosted by the Chautauqua Tour, this afternoon program includes guided meditation, movement, and a dharma talk exploring attention, technology, and awareness through a Buddhist lens.
Learn to Weave Workshop
Learn the art of weaving in this three-day, hands-on workshop at the Rochester Folk Art Guild, February 14–16. Perfect for beginners or those looking to deepen their skills, each participant will plan, set up, and weave on their own floor loom to create unique textile pieces.
Block Printing on Fabric with Linda Griswold Davis
Learn the basics of designing, carving, and printing your own linoleum block in this full day block printing on fabric workshop at the Folk Art Guild. Taught by printmaker Linda Griswold Davis, this hands-on class covers design transfer, block carving, and printing on cotton textiles. All basic materials are provided, and an optional tool kit is available. Open to all skill levels.
Holiday Studio Sale
Find unique, handcrafted gifts and meet the makers at the Rochester Folk Art Guild’s festive Holiday Studio Sales this November and December.
Holiday Cookie Decorating Workshop
Get into the holiday spirit with this cozy cookie decorating workshop!
Holiday Studio Sale
Find unique, handcrafted gifts and meet the makers at the Rochester Folk Art Guild’s festive Holiday Studio Sales this November and December.
Stacked Pumpkins Felting Workshop
Join us November 2nd for a fun afternoon of felting with Lisa DeFrancesco!
Without Arrows Documentary Screening and Dance presentation
Join us for an unforgettable evening with The Paza Experience—a celebration of Native American culture through live performance and film. Advanced registration is requested.
Naples Open Studio Trail Weekend
Visit our pottery studio and woodshop as part of the annual Naples Open Studio Trail and explore working art studios throughout the hills of the Finger Lakes.
Lecture on the Lawn: Music from Dead Metaphor Cabaret
Join us for music from Dead Metaphor Cabaret, featuring local musicians Curt and Nani Nehring-Bliss
More Ways to Participate
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Classes and Workshops
Discover hands-on learning experiences in our craft shops and beyond with classes such as pottery, wood turning, yoga, and more.
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Private Lessons
Experience personalized instruction from our master artisans through one-on-one or small group classes in pottery, woodworking, and other crafts, tailored to your individual interests and skill level.
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Annual Craft Weekend
Immerse yourself in a craft workshop for four days while getting to experience life on the farm, sharing meals, enjoying dips in the pond and great conversation.
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Residential Programs
Guild apprenticeships are designed for people searching for a practical, hands-on approach to learning and living.