Florence Thomas Art School

08/12/2026

Highlights from our Learn to Paint Birds workshop taught by the amazing Viktoria Majestic! 🪺🎨

08/09/2026

“I Am From…”
Collective Poem-CACWA Gathering 8/8/26
Curated by Heather Thorp

I am from 13 billion years of dust
I am earth
I am from another place and time
I am from the stars-the mystery
I am from God’s place.
I am from the mystery of all that cannot be defined.

I am from red clay and forest floor
I am from sun and moon shine, June flowers and November snow
I am from earth, sky and love.
I am from ocean waves
I am from rocks-dirt-water.

I am from the magic of fireflies in the summer
I am from the river that flows from the ocean
I am from the rainbow
I am from the sea.

I am from where I am now, I was from where I was, but now I’m here.
I am from the sky-how it moves, and changes-how it sings
I am from the shadows and brilliance of dappled sunshine
I am from the earth, the stars, the water, from nature
I am from the sea, floating below the stars

I am from my mother
I am from a song-the magic of my heart
I am from the trauma born from that first inhale ending in a wail
I am from a family farm with grandma in my heart
I am from two separate houses, two separate family lines, Connecticut and cold winters
I am from trees that blow in the wind and long ago voices speaking encouragement.
I am from a family of nature lovers
I am from a rhododendron playhouse and the forest floor and birds in flight

I am from gut bellied blues and mountain tales and mirth
I am from natural places and good friends
I am from booklovers
I am from Memphis Tennessee
I am from Muscadine sharing their aroma on a fall day.
I am from mosquitoes and chiggers, spanish moss and gators-palm fronds
I am from the earth, the mountains and the sky
I am from the sparkle on the walkway and the breath of the hummingbird.
I am from gratitude and grace.

✨✨✨

08/08/2026

Thanks for joining us for the 14th Annual Corey Anne Celebration of Women in the Arts!

08/02/2026

07/31/2026

We still have spots left in our next workshop at Old Barn Winery !🍷

Join fiber artist Jane Campbell in creating your own wet felted Eyeglass Case! Thursday, August 27 (4-6pm) $45 includes all materials & a glass of wine! ✨

Registration is required, visit www.florenceartschool.org/workshops to register.

07/31/2026

🎉 Save the Date!

Join us for our upcoming Dancing with Florence Friendraiser!

🗓 Saturday, August 29, 2026 | 3–7 PM

Help us paint a brighter future! 🖌️

A slight change of plans, our Friendraiser will now take place at The Ashe County Arts Council. Spend a lively evening with us at Ashe County Arts Council filled with live music, art, and community. Enjoy performances by The Non Prophets, Scot Pope, and Michael Leonard, plus dancing, raffle drawings, and more!

🎶 Live Music
🎨 Art & Community
🎟 Raffle Prizes (including giclée prints, FTAS gift cards & more!)
🍺 Food & Drinks available for purchase including food from Jalibaba Mediterranean Food Truck Jalibaba Mediterranean & beer from Boondocks Brewing Boondocks Brewing - Brewery, Restaurant & Event Venue

🎫 Get your tickets now: florenceartschool.org/2026ftasfundraiser

Bring a foldable chair, gather your friends, and come celebrate with us! 💛