Arbutus Folk School

Arbutus Folk School We offer hands-on classes for all ages in woodworking, ceramics, fiber arts, and more in Olympia, WA.

Arbutus Folk School offers classes for all ages in ceramics, woodworking, fiber arts, stone-carving, blacksmithing, music, and more.

08/26/2026

Tenino’s Keith Phillips was recently notified he will be the recipient of a 2026 State Historic Preservation Officer’s Career Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to the craft of …

🍁 Our fall ceramic classes at Arbutus Folk School are now posted! Here is a sneak peak into our September classes:Intro ...
08/25/2026

🍁 Our fall ceramic classes at Arbutus Folk School are now posted!

Here is a sneak peak into our September classes:

Intro to Wheel Throwing — 6 weeks, Wednesdays, Sep 9–Oct 14
Youth Ceramics (Grades 1–3) — 4 weeks, Wednesdays, Sep 9–30
Continuing Wheel Throwing — 8 weeks, Wednesdays, Sep 9–Oct 28
Intro to Wheel Throwing — 4 weeks, Fridays, Sep 11–Oct 2
Intro to Wheel Throwing — 4 weeks, Fridays, Sep 11–Oct 2
Raku Firing — Saturday, Sep 19
Sculptural Self Portraits — Mondays, Sep 21–Nov 2
Mixed-Level Wheel Throwing — 6 weeks, Tuesdays, Sep 22–Oct 27

💛 Register through our course catalog 👉 https://www.hisawyer.com/arbutus-folk-school/schedules?location_id%5B%5D=141259&ageGradeFilterTab=age_ranges%5B%5D

🌟 Did you know that all of our upcoming youth classes are sliding scale? At Arbutus Folk School we believe that every yo...
08/21/2026

🌟 Did you know that all of our upcoming youth classes are sliding scale?

At Arbutus Folk School we believe that every young person should have the opportunity to learn, create, and explore traditional arts and crafts. .

Here’s what’s coming up for young makers this fall:

🏺 Youth Ceramics (Grades 1–3)
📅 Wednesdays, September 9–30 | 3:30–5:30 PM
Learn the foundations of working with clay in this 4-week class!

🦊 Youth Needle Felting: Foxes!
📅 Friday, September 11 | 4–6:30 PM
Create an adorable felted fox while learning the basics of needle felting.

🧶 Intro to Knitting: Cable & Lace
📅 Thursdays, September 24–October 1 | 6–8PM
Ages 10–18+ can explore the beautiful techniques of cable and lace knitting.

🦉 Youth Needle Felting: Barn Owls!
📅 Friday, October 9 | 4:00–6:30 PM
Learn needle-felting techniques while creating your own barn owl!

🎃 Halloween Origami
📅 Saturday, October 17 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Fold, create, and get into the Halloween spirit with fun origami projects.

🏺 Youth Ceramics (Grades 1–5)
📅 Wednesdays, November 4–25 | 3:30–5:30 PM
A 4-week ceramics adventure for young artists!

🏺 Youth Ceramics (Grades 1–5)
📅 Wednesdays, December 2–23 | 3:30–5:30 PM
Another chance for young makers to get their hands in the clay!

🔹 Guizhou Batik for Youth (Ages 8–12)
Sunday, Jan 17 | 1-4pm
Explore the beautiful tradition of Guizhou batik and create something of your own.

📍 All classes take place at Arbutus Folk School, 705 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA.

Sliding scale payment options are made possible by public funding through Inspire Olympia. Thank you 💛!

Register and learn more 👉 https://www.hisawyer.com/arbutus-folk-school/schedules?widget_tags=youth

🪨 Join us for a hands-on introduction to relief carving with locally quarried Tenino sandstone!For more than a century, ...
08/19/2026

🪨 Join us for a hands-on introduction to relief carving with locally quarried Tenino sandstone!

For more than a century, Tenino sandstone has been an important part of the region’s architecture and craft. It can be found in historically significant buildings and sculptures throughout the West Coast - including Olympia’s old Courthouse and former Federal building.

In this beginning-level class, you’ll learn the fundamentals of working stone with mallet and chisel. Students can explore decorative relief or even incorporate letter carving into their designs!

No previous stonecarving experience is required.

🪨 Relief Carving in Tenino Sandstone
📅 Saturdays, September 12 – October 3 | 10AM–2PM
📍 Arbutus Folk School - 705 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98506
🤝 In partnership with the Tenino Stone Carvers Guild

Come learn the tools, techniques, and traditions behind one of our region’s unique craft materials—and take home a piece of Tenino sandstone that you carved yourself!

Register here 👉 https://www.hisawyer.com/arbutus-folk-school/schedules?page=2&activity_name%5B%5D=Relief+Carving+in+Tenino+Sandstone&ageGradeFilterTab=age_ranges%5B%5D

✨ Sculptural Self Portraits ✨Join instructor, Joelle Montez for a 7-week exploration of clay, portraiture, and expressiv...
08/19/2026

✨ Sculptural Self Portraits ✨

Join instructor, Joelle Montez for a 7-week exploration of clay, portraiture, and expressive form!

In this class students will work with clay to create an expressive 10-inch-tall bust using solid clay construction and armatures. Along the way, you’ll learn the fundamentals of facial proportions - with demos covering eyes, noses, mouths, hair, surface decoration, and glazing.

🗿 Sculptural Self Portraits
📅 Mondays, September 21 – November 2 | 2–5 PM
📍Arbutus Folk School - 705 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98506
👐 All materials, tools, equipment, and firings included

Whether you’re picking up clay for the first time or looking to deepen your existing skills, all levels are welcome! Beginners will learn the foundations, while more experienced artists can challenge themselves with additional detail and expression.

Register here 👉 https://www.hisawyer.com/arbutus-folk-school/schedules/activity-set/1921586?source=semesters

🚨 Event Cancellation - Odissi Dance Performance 🚨 We’re sorry to share that the Odissi dance performance scheduled for t...
08/17/2026

🚨 Event Cancellation - Odissi Dance Performance 🚨

We’re sorry to share that the Odissi dance performance scheduled for this Wednesday (8/19) is now cancelled.

We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to welcome you to another event soon! 💛

Join Arbutus Folk School for an evening of Odissi dance by local artist Anoova Sattar!✨ Wednesday | August 19th | 6-7pm ...
08/08/2026

Join Arbutus Folk School for an evening of Odissi dance by local artist Anoova Sattar!

✨ Wednesday | August 19th | 6-7pm ✨

No registration required! Simply drop in to attend this free event. Children welcome.

Odissi is one of the seven forms of classical Indian dance. Traditionally danced in the temples of India, Odissi developed as a form of meditation to achieve inner peace.

Odissi dancer Anoova Sattar trains under Dr. Ratna Roy, the foremost instructor of the Mahari (female) tradition. In comparison to the more widely-known Gotipua (male) tradition, which features greater percussive qualities of the dance, the Maharis emphasize a slow torso and circular body movement.

In an hour-long performance, the artist will be sharing a selection of choreographies and a short history of odissi dance.

📍Location: Arbutus Folk School - 705 4th Ave E, Olympia WA

✨ Learn to weave your own striped cotton towel! ✨Join us for our Intro to Rigid Heddle Weaving class and spend a creativ...
08/07/2026

✨ Learn to weave your own striped cotton towel! ✨

Join us for our Intro to Rigid Heddle Weaving class and spend a creative weekend learning the entire weaving process - from warping the loom to weaving colorful stripes.

🧵 Sat & Sun | Aug. 29–30 | 10am–3pm
📍 Arbutus Folk School - 705 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA

You'll be guided by expert weaver Joan Hoffmeyer, who will walk you through each step so you leave with new skills and a handmade cotton towel you'll be proud to use or gift.

💛 We added this session because our previous classes filled so quickly - don't miss your chance to join this highly rated class!

Register here 👉 https://www.hisawyer.com/arbutus-folk-school/schedules?activity_name%5B%5D=Beginning+Rigid+Heddle+Weaving%3A+Striped+Cotton+Towel&ageGradeFilterTab=age_ranges%5B%5D

Address

705 4th Avenue E, Ste 101
Olympia, WA
98506

Telephone

(360) 350-0187

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