Four Folk Schools to Visit

DRIFTLESS FOLK SCHOOL, Viroqua

Founded in 2006, this folk school's courses include pickling foods, clothing fabrication, foraging and butchery, and range from one day to a weekend. Instructors often hold classes in their own homes or studios. The school offers lodging options, but many students choose to camp at nearby state parks or natural areas. driftlessfolkschool.org

FOLKLORE VILLAGE, Dodgeville

Established in the 1960s by Jane Farwell, who is credited with founding modern folk dancing, Folklore Village offers traditional dance workshops. Courses also cover topics like blacksmithing, turning a gourd into a banjo, chair caning, lace knitting and making fermented beverages. Students can sleep in bunkhouses on site for $15 per person nightly. folklorevillage.org

THE CLEARING, Ellison Bay

Landscape architect Jens Jensen founded this 120-acre campus, one of the nation's oldest folk schools, in 1935. Many of the school's offerings draw upon the natural environment (birding, landscape design, landscape and watercolor painting and drawing.) Courses are a week long in high season (May through October), and dormitory-style rooms are available on site. theclearing.org

SHAKE RAG ALLEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Mineral Point

Besides traditional folk school options, this school offers courses in writing poetry and fiction, as well as paper and book arts. Class topics also touch on blacksmithing and welding, making rugs and even baking the perfect apple pie or fresh tomato galette. Three private rooms are for rent in the Coach House, plus two center-owned apartments a five-minute walk away. shakeragalley.org