Artists and Makers Camp Magic
In that magical little pocket of time between summer and fall, lives an annual event called the Artists and Makers Camp. In the beautiful rolling hills of Avon, Minnesota you will find Avon Hills Folk School, a family property turned folk school. It is in this picturesque location where, each September, a group of adults gather to share knowledge, learn to create things with their hands, and make memories together.
I’ve been attending this camp ever since the first year, which makes this coming September my 10th year. It is truly a special experience that takes priority on my calendar every year. I owe so many of my current creative practices to the experiences that I've had during these weekends. Let me share with you the rhythm of the Artists and Makers Camp experience.
Campers arrive Friday evening and set up camp at their own pace. As people settle in, they gravitate towards the main spaces to greet old friends and meet new ones. It’s a pretty casual evening, with time to stroll through the woods or sit by the campfire. The hustle and bustle of the week starts to fade away and bedtime usually comes not too long after sunset. If the weather is clear, you will see bright stars, hear the owls hooting, and navigate back to your tent (or camper or car) by the moonlight.
Saturday begins bright and early, usually with pancakes fresh off the griddle and syrup made from the lovely maple trees on the property. Dietary needs are well tended to and the warm breakfast always feels nice after a night of sleeping outside. Some campers and instructors arrive Saturday morning, so there is always another round of joyous hellos to welcome in the new arrivals.
After breakfast, campers gather their things and follow a hand drawn map to their workshop location. I love the feeling of carrying my mug of hot tea to my classroom, full of anticipation of what I will learn in my workshop. Each of the structures/spaces at the folk school hold stories of the hands that made them, the materials used, and their intended purpose. You might be in a sugar shack next to a stream, under a timber framed pavilion, in a woodshop, or one of the many other lovely gathering spots.
During the workshops, small groups of warm and friendly adults experience new handcrafts under the guidance of artisans who have been invited to camp to share their passion with others. Each camper chooses their workshops from a roster of options, with a morning and afternoon session and a lunch between them. The options sometimes repeat from year to year as do the instructors. The commonality across all the workshops is that you will have a finished project by the end of the session. I have always found something worth trying out! In my experience, this camp attracts generous and kind people who love to learn. The conversations flow easily with periodic quiet time intermixed as our skills are stretched and our focus is devoted fully to the task at hand.
After workshops are over, camp buzzes with show and tell. The glimmer that comes from trying something new and that “I made this!” feeling is such amazing fuel for lifelong learning. The genuine excitement and appreciation of one another’s work is a really special component of the weekend. In seeing everyone’s work, there is always at least one class I was bummed to have missed and hope they offer again next year.
In the evening, optional down time flows into happy hour which flows into dinner. The newly built pizza pavilion has leveled up the longstanding tradition of a woodfired pizza dinner. Each camper selects their own pizza toppings and gets a custom pizza to enjoy alongside a reliably delicious and vegetable forward buffet. My favorite topping is always the woodfired locally foraged mushrooms, although last year's crispy homegrown garlic garnish nearly unseated the mushrooms for best topping. One truth I have learned about the Artists and Makers Camp is that you will eat well and often.
With the formal events concluded after dinner, campers are free to hang out, work on projects, enjoy the fire, stroll the property, and relax. Another recent improvement is a lighted pavilion with couches and blankets where campers often settle in and chat late into the evening. Many campers have gotten to know each other over the years, but there is always a seat at the table for newcomers.
I hope this glimpse into camp has inspired you to give it a try. We can’t wait to hear what lights you up as an artist and maker. And, do please tell us how your workshops went and show us what you made that day! If not on Saturday evening, maybe over breakfast on Sunday before you break camp and head out? I will be there!
-Trinity Muller