Learning art while in nature
When it comes to beauty, there is nothing more artful and easy on the eyes than our own mountainous Laurel Highlands. And what better place to study the arts than in our very own mountains? Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington offers just that for aspiring artisans from a variety of genres. The center is nestled among 150 acres of trees, paths and streams making it an ideal setting for relaxation and the creative thought process. With only 25 acres of the property developed, Touchstone is a pristine, natural retreat.
According to its Web site, Touchstone was founded in 1972 as Pioneer Crafts Council, and its original mission was to foster interest in the preservation of traditional mountain crafts.
Today, this unique craft school has expanded to include contemporary and experimental techniques in addition to traditional and historic methods in disciplines such as blacksmithing, ceramics, metals, textiles, glass, oil and watercolor painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. As Pennsylvania’s only residential craft school and only one of 12 in the country, Touchstone offers both beginner and seasoned artists more than 100 week-long and weekend courses taught by some of North America’s finest artists and artisans.
And, the atmosphere is almost reminiscent of summer camp with dormitories, cabins and tent sites. There also is a community dining hall where students can enjoy home-cooked meals with each other.
“The rustic setting, social interaction, and art classes in our various studios do remind many people of their childhood summer camp experiences,” said Operations Director Collette Ridgeway.
“We have camping cabins, a bath house, and a dining hall like other camps. But we also have less rustic accommodations in our dorm buildings for those who don’t want to “rough it.”
And, aside from the beautiful artistic creations made at Touchstone, Ridgeway said that friendships are some of the more important creations made.
“At the end of the week, students have usually made friends who they will look forward to seeing when they return year after year for more classes,” she said.
At Touchstone, nature and creative energy combine in harmony to produce a unique synergy, not often found. It is a place for quiet contemplation, for introspection, for a wealth of revelations.