Dear friends and associates,

When I was in college a mentor observed that my brains were in my hands and that led me to a career as an artisan and to observe that to some degree or another, the connection between the hands and brain, described as a partnership is likely true for all of us.

That led me to write a number of books, and to be one of three artisans to join together to found a craft school in 1998. I remain a founding member of the board and teacher to this day.

The school, ESSA or the Eureka Springs School of the Arts has grown over the years, from holding workshops in local studios (a school without walls) to a single building, where classes were held, to owning 55 acres and buildings dedicated to woodworking and metals along with staff housing. Along the way, with the help of the Windgate Foundation we received an endowment of 10 million dollars in trust for our continued operation well into the future.

We are ready and waiting for the next round of growth. I see it as an opportunity to support hands-on learning, and we are at the tail end of a fundraising challenge. As part of a $850,000 capital campaign we’ve raised every dollar but the final $57,000 that will put us over the top.

The Windgate Foundation offered a $175,000.00 match, so every dollar you give is doubled by them. Their contribution will only be active when we’ve given first, but we’ve only a short ways to go.

Large or small, you can play a part.

What will the money be used for? Students and those who have joined me for a campus tour will have noticed how difficult it is to pull off the highway to arrive safely on campus, and the money will be used to acquire the property next door, and a new entry to the Eureka Springs School of the Arts.

We are almost there and I would like to share the opportunity to make a meaningful gift and to be a part of the school’s growth, as we’ll next tackle the need for a new building for 2 dimensional art.

All along the way this has been a family thing for me. My Uncle Ron and Aunt Gladys would stop by here on their way to take classes Arrowmont. Curious about that school in East Tennesee I became a teacher there and saw the impact similar hands-on learning would have on family and community and each of us, which then of course led me to understand the importance of building a similar school here.

I invite you to look at us online and to view the project or come and join us here. If you believe in hands on learning as I do, and the transformational effects, I don’t want you to miss out. If you would like an information packet sent to you via mail, the school can oblige. Please provide them the best mailing address.

https://essa-art.org/capital-campaign/

Make, fix and create...