
At The Burritt Folk School it is our mission to inspire, educate, and cultivate a creative community of active learners
through preservation, demonstration, and participation in traditional arts, crafts, and skills.
Have you ever wanted to learn a traditional craft or art? At the Burritt Folk School, we offer hands-on workshops in a variety of disciplines taught by regional artisans who are passionate about preserving their craft. Bring a friend or make new friends as you join us for these fun and exciting classes. Check out our upcoming workshops at the link below. You are sure to find an experience that it just what you are looking for!
For more information, please contact Beth Phillips, at elizabeth.phillips@huntsvilleal.gov or call 256-518-3931.
Folk School Disciplines
(Including, but not limited to.)
Decorative Arts: Stained Glass, Fused Glass, Jewelry Making, Wood Burning
Fiber Arts: Quilting, Sewing, Knitting, Embroidery, Spinning, Crocheting
Functional Arts: Blacksmithing, Pottery, Basketry, Chair Caning, Leather Crafting
Foodways: Cooking, Baking, Canning and Preserving, Gardening, Herbs
Visual Arts: Printmaking, Drawing, Photography, Painting, Calligraphy
Thank you to The Alabama Council on the Arts for their support of our Folk School Programs.
Over the course of this 4 week class, using a modern electric pottery wheel, you will learn the time-tested basics of shaping clay, as your instructor guides you through the essential steps of creating a wheel-thrown vessel.
Come and spend some time with us learning how to play the bodhran (Irish traditional frame drum). This class will teach you how to hold the drum, how to hold the tipper (drum stick), and how to play some simple rhythmic patterns. No experience necessary.
This beginner’s workshop will provide you with hands-on instruction for creating a fitted traditional, stained glass item, that will be followed by how to use it in a non-traditional openwork design. An assortment of color choices will be available.
One of the oldest and simplest forms of lighting, rush light candles and holders have been in common use since before the rise of the Roman Empire and continued to be used in rural parts of Britain and America well into the 20th century.
With this class, we learn the basics of starting a coiled pine needle basket. You will be able to make a start on a basket and continue at home or make a small creation and finish it off during the class. We will cover all the basics and if you decide to continue after the class you will be sent home with some supplies until you can obtain more.
This beginner’s workshop will provide you with hands-on instruction for creating a fitted traditional, stained glass item, that will be followed by how to use it in a non-traditional openwork design. An assortment of color choices will be available.
One of the oldest and simplest forms of lighting, rush light candles and holders have been in common use since before the rise of the Roman Empire and continued to be used in rural parts of Britain and America well into the 20th century.
Students will learn how to wash, card & comb, and spin wool yarn from local raw sheep fleece. Finished yarn can be woven on a small loom to produce a finished object.
Come and join us for fun Glass Fusing project! You will be making a 6×6 project to display or hang in your home. We’ll walk you through each step, giving you tricks and tips on how to use our glass fusing materials and tools along the way.
Come and join us for fun Glass Fusing project! You will be making a 6×6 project to display or hang in your home. We’ll walk you through each step, giving you tricks and tips on how to use our glass fusing materials and tools along the way.
Sewing for Beginners June 8th–12th • 8:30–3:30 This summer, young makers can discover the world of sewing with award winning textile artist Tiavalya Befecadu! Whether your child is brand new to sewing or ready to take their skills to the next level, these two camps are designed to build confidence, spark creativity, and encourage hands on learning in a fun, supportive environment. With a small class size (1 teacher for every 5 students), every camper gets plenty of personal attention as they learn, explore, and create.
View EventThis year the celebration of Independence Day (July 4th) is so very special. Let’s honor our country by making 3D Patriotic Stars in glass. Each star will be constructed using red, white and blue glass.
In this introductory class, students will learn the fundamentals of working with leather using traditional hand tools. Through guided, hands-on instruction, participants will practice basic techniques such as hand-sewing, stamping and edge finishing while gaining an understanding of different leather types and tools.
Come and join us for fun Glass Fusing project! You will be making a 6×6 project to display or hang in your home. We’ll walk you through each step, giving you tricks and tips on how to use our glass fusing materials and tools along the way.
Students will be instructed in how to remove, fold and begin to dry a piece of bark. They will take this unfinished basket and other supplies home to complete on their own later after drying. They will then be provided a preform basket and construct a basket (attach handle, rim supports, etc.) of their own.
Round Top Bushcraft & Survival Camp 9:00–12:00 June 22nd-26th Burritt on the Mountain is excited to announce that this summer we will be offering two half-day camps the weeks of June 22nd– 26th and July 6th-10th for Middle School students. Round Top Bushcraft & Survival camp will be offered each morning from 9:00 to noon and Mountain Top Makers will be offered each afternoon from 1:00-4:00. Both camps offer immersive, hands-on experiences that are engaging, exciting and exceptional. Campers will learn new skills by doing. For families that need a more flexible schedule we offer extended day options.
View EventMountain Top Makers (Grades 6–8) 1:00-4:00 Jun 22nd-26th Burritt on the Mountain is excited to announce that this summer we will be offering two half-day camps the weeks of June 22nd– 26th and July 6th-10th for Middle School students. Round Top Bushcraft & Survival camp will be offered each morning from 9:00 to noon and Mountain Top Makers will be offered each afternoon from 1:00-4:00. Both camps offer immersive, hands-on experiences that are engaging, exciting and exceptional. Campers will learn new skills by doing. For families that need a more flexible schedule we offer extended day options.
View EventDo you know what to do in a 72-hour emergency? Have you received a water boil notice but due to power outages are unable to do so? Weather phenomenon causes power and utility outages often enough that having the requisite knowledge to sustain oneself for 72 hours as viable skillset. Join us for a hands-on event to learn fundamentals of self-aid, fire building using multiple ignition sources, emergency shelter building, water sanitization, and more valuable skills to assist you and your family during an emergency. If you are already versed, join us to network share experiences.”
Round Top Bushcraft & Survival Camp 9:00–12:00 July 6th – 10th Burritt on the Mountain is excited to announce that this summer we will be offering two half-day camps the weeks of June 22nd– 26th and July 6th-10th for Middle School students. Round Top Bushcraft & Survival camp will be offered each morning from 9:00 to noon and Mountain Top Makers will be offered each afternoon from 1:00-4:00. Both camps offer immersive, hands-on experiences that are engaging, exciting and exceptional. Campers will learn new skills by doing.
View EventMountain Top Makers (Grades 6–8) 1:00-4:00 July 6th-10th Burritt on the Mountain is excited to announce that this summer we will be offering two half-day camps the weeks of June 22nd– 26th and July 6th-10th for Middle School students. Round Top Bushcraft & Survival camp will be offered each morning from 9:00 to noon and Mountain Top Makers will be offered each afternoon from 1:00-4:00. Both camps offer immersive, hands-on experiences that are engaging, exciting and exceptional. Campers will learn new skills by doing. For families that need a more flexible schedule we offer extended day options.
View EventIntermediate Sewing Camp July 20–24 • 8:30–3:30 This summer, young makers can discover the world of sewing with award winning textile artist Tiavalya Befecadu! Whether your child is brand new to sewing or ready to take their skills to the next level, these two camps are designed to build confidence, spark creativity, and encourage hands on learning in a fun, supportive environment. With a small class size (1 teacher for every 5 students), every camper gets plenty of personal attention as they learn, explore, and create.
View Event