Words from Kristi Koziolek, teacher of Needle Felted Landscape

This spring at the Avon Hills Folk School, we had fiber artist, professional gardener, and oil painter Kristi Koziolek at the Avon Hills Folk School to teach multiple Needle Felted Landscape courses. We’ve asked Kristi to share about her experience and here’s what she had to say:

I am grateful to Avon Hills Folk School for giving me the opportunity to stretch my teaching muscles and enabling me to grow as a new educator. Each class brings together students eager to learn a craft and create a piece of art using traditional skills in a new way. And they have created masterpieces! AHFS brings together great groups of people to commune over creativity- an incredibly valuable and needed opportunity. Hands-on learning offers a deeper understanding of the task at hand and lasting memories, not only of the craft, but the entire experience of creating- the people, the feeling of creative energy, the shared laughter and the camaraderie.

What stands out about my classes is the approach to needle felting as fine art. I emphasize how to use color to create compelling compositions by experimentation and play. By working from photos of the students’ choosing, it allows them to have a personal connection to the scene as they leave their outer world behind for a few hours and maybe even enables their mind to be taken into the scene they’re creating. Along the way we share laughs, forgive our mistakes, let loose and play. I’d describe the class as nothing short of magical. Watching students begin with uncertainty but a willingness to trust the process then end with a work of art they are proud of, brings me great joy.

There are so many opportunities to let loose and play at the Avon Hills Folk School - sign up for one of our other amazing courses here.