| celebrating violin luthier and traditional woodworking programs at the foothills arts center
This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
| image | A dedicated student admires his work-in-progress violin during the Violin Summer Intensive program. | image credit | Sydney Sieviec
We are delighted to share some exciting news and express our heartfelt gratitude to the North Carolina Arts Council for their generous Spark the Arts grant program. This funding has been instrumental in sustaining the exceptional violin luthier program at the Foothills Arts Center. Additionally, it has provided the fortunate opportunity for two like-minded individuals to collaborate, leading to the creation of a new traditional woodworking program. We are incredibly grateful for this fortunate turn of events.
| violin luthier program: the legacy of joe thrift |
| image | Foothills School of Violin Making instructor Joe Thrift
At the Foothills Arts Center, we are privileged to host the renowned master violin maker, Joe Thrift. Joe's journey in fiddle making began back in 1976 at the Newark School of Violin Making in England. Little did he know that this would be the start of an extraordinary career, marked by strong connections with skilled luthier instructors and an unwavering commitment to his craft.
Establishing his own violin making workshop in Winston Salem after graduating in 1979, Joe later relocated to Surry County. In 2009, he welcomed his first apprentice and initiated a program at a local college, sharing his passion for violin making with students of all levels of proficiency. Teaching has become an immensely gratifying aspect of Joe's life, allowing him to pass on his knowledge and expertise while continuing to craft exquisite instruments in his home workshop.
Thanks in part to the support of the N.C. Arts Council grant, the Foothills Arts Center has had the honor of collaborating with Joe Thrift and the Foothills School of Violin Making. Joe's remarkable ability to teach individuals of all experience levels, guiding them in crafting exquisite heirloom violins, is truly awe-inspiring. His dedication to the art of teaching and practicing traditional craftsmanship has enriched the lives of countless students, creating a legacy that will endure for generations.
(click any image to enlarge)
| image credit | Sydney Sieviec
Prospective students interested in enrolling in the fall 2023 semester of the violin program should click the product links below for more information and registration:
The Basics:
Prerequisite: None
Instructor Joe Thrift
Students may choose to enroll in morning or afternoon classes. Morning class is from 8:30-12, afternoon from 1-5.. Each semester begins the second week of January or August.
Students may sign up anytime during the semester and start class at the beginning of the next calendar month. If registration is not SOLD OUT space should be available. If your chosen class is sold out, please email info@foothillsarts.org to be added to the waitlist.
Foothills School of Violin Making (temporary location beginning Jan. 2015) 410 Memorial Park Dr. Elkin, NC 28621
The Details:
This course is self-paced. Multiple semesters are required for most students to complete their first hand-built violin.
Registration: $50
The registration fee is taken out of the overall tuition cost.
If registration is open, placement is likely but not guaranteed.
Any student not placed will be added to the programs wait list in the order of the earliest registration.
Registration may not open to the general public every semester. Placement is generally confirmed within three (3) business days.
Tuition:
Students are billed one (1) payment of $940 (10% discount) or five (5) monthly payments of $258.
Tuition will be billed after placement is confirmed.
Policies:
No refunds of credits for time missed during the semester.
By registering you have read and agree to all safety and billing policies outlined on the program main page.
The Basics:
Semesters begin the second week in January our August. Students can however sign up anytime space is available. For example if a student enrolls for Wednesday class the second week of February, the student will start class the first Wednesday in March and be billed accordingly.
Instructed by Joe Thrift
Wednesdays 8:30-5 pm, or Thursdays 8:30- 5 pm. 30 minute food break four hours into class.
Foothills School of Violin Making 410 Memorial Park Drive Elkin, NC 28621
The Details:
This course is self-paced. Multiple semesters may be required for students to complete their first hand-build violin.
Registration: $50
If registration is open placement is likely, but not guaranteed. Any student not placed will be added to the programs wait list in the order of the earliest registration. Given this, registration may not open to the general public every semester. Placement is generally confirmed within three (3) business days of registration.
Tuition:
One (1) payment of $1,270 (10% reduction) or four (5) payments of $279.
Tuition will be billed after placement is confirmed.
This class is offered at a 1/3 price reduction from our half day semester pricing, so students signing up for multiple days can enjoy even greater savings. To register for more than one day of class per week please email info@foothillsarts.org.
Policies:
No refunds or credits given for time missed during the semester.
By registering you have read and agree to all safety and billing policies outlined on the program main page.
| traditional woodworking program: unleashing the craftsmanship of ben masterson |
| image | Foothills School of Traditional Woodworking instructor Ben Masterson | image credit | Sydney Sieviec
We are thrilled to announce that this autumn, the Foothills Arts Center will be opening registration for the launch of a new traditional woodworking program, led by the immensely talented Ben Masterson, with classes scheduled to begin during the second week of January 2024. Ben, a devoted craftsman and educator, has a deep appreciation for the traditional art of woodworking and an unwavering commitment to passing on his knowledge to others.
Ben's journey as a woodworker has been profoundly influenced by his mentor, dear friend, and renowned violin craftsman, Joe Thrift. Over the past three years, Ben has had the privilege of studying under Joe and apprenticing with him, gaining invaluable knowledge and skills. Through his experiences, Ben has not only honed his craftsmanship but has also discovered his passion for teaching traditional woodworking.
Students of all experience levels will have the opportunity to learn from Ben's expertise, guidance, and dedication to the craft. The program will foster an environment where individuals can thrive and flourish, immersing themselves in the art of building and the joy of working with wood.
As we eagerly anticipate the opening of the woodworking program this autumn, we encourage all art enthusiasts and woodworking enthusiasts to join us in celebrating the rich tapestry of artistic expression at the Foothills Arts Center. Together, we can continue to ignite the spark of creativity and cultivate a thriving arts community.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the N.C. Arts Council for their invaluable support through the Spark the Arts grant. Their commitment to fostering the arts and preserving traditional crafts has allowed us to expand our offerings and provide exceptional educational opportunities to the community.
(click any image to enlarge)
| image credit | Sydney Sieviec
| about spark the arts |
The North Carolina Arts Council announced support for 130 nonprofit organizations through their new Spark The Arts grant category during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. In total, the Arts Council is investing $2,484,071 to support programming centered around audience re-engagement and inclusion. Grant amounts range from $3,000 to $30,000.
The arts spark vitality, healing, and fellowship. These qualities are what kept North Carolina’s arts sector resilient through the pandemic. The Spark the Arts grant category places a special emphasis on strategies to engage audiences and participants in this effort.
The Spark the Arts grant funding at the Foothills Arts Center will reactivate, expand, and deepen the quality of learning experienced by youth and adult students, with funds split evenly between four programs: ceramics, fiber arts, violin luthier, and youth art. We are so honored to be a recipient of a Spark the Arts grant!