Dates: Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily (studio access after hours available)
Location: Rochester Folk Art Guild, 1445 Upper Hill Road, Middlesex, NY
Learn the traditional Appalachian art of broom making with Curt Cable, a skilled craftsman from the foothills of Ohio who has spent more than twenty years keeping this heritage alive. In this three day hands-on workshop, students will explore the complete process of crafting both functional and decorative brooms.
Participants will begin with smaller forms such as whisk and cobweb brooms before moving on to create a full-size sweeper broom. Along the way, Curt will share stories and history from the Appalachian broom making tradition and demonstrate various binding and stitching techniques. Students will also have the opportunity to forage natural broom handles and decorative materials from the Guild’s surrounding woods and fields, adding a personal touch to each finished piece.
This class is open to all levels. All tools and materials are provided.
Course Outline
Over the course of three days, participants will:
Learn the structure and materials of traditional Appalachian brooms
Craft several styles such as whisk, cobweb, and full-size sweeper brooms
Practice wrapping and stitching techniques for strength and design
Explore broom lore and the cultural history of the craft
Forage natural handles and decorative elements from the Guild’s land
Course Tuition
The tuition for this course is $400, which includes all materials and lunch each day.
Overnight packages are available and include lodging and breakfast each morning. The prices below reflect the total cost of tuition plus accommodations:
2 night stay: $600
Arrive Friday, May 15 and depart Sunday, May 173 night stay: $700
Arrive Friday, May 15 and depart Monday, May 18
Please email programs@folkartguild.org for more information about overnight accommodations, scholarships, or workshop details.