Home Arts instruction to be offerd by the Fowlerville Fair
By Dawn Bhajan
Superintendent of Fowlerville Family Fair
Open Class Home Arts
When you hear the word “class”, what immediately springs to mind?
Leaving the sociopolitical interpretation to the pundits, most of us associate “class” with schooling, education, a group of students…
Which explains the confusion surrounding the phrase “Open Class Home Arts.”
I’ve fielded many questions recently regarding which classes we’re teaching at the Fair, and how to register to be a student. But Open Class actually refers to our County fair’s competitive, exhibition classes, open to all Michigan residents over the age of 5 (no memberships or affiliations required!) They’re the classes in which projects are entered, judged, and exhibited throughout Fair week.
The confusion is understandable… and, as it turns out, inspiring!
County Fairs are legendary for educating, passing on skills and knowledge, and encouraging new standards of excellence. Why shouldn’t the Open Home Arts offer a learning component to help exhibitors improve their game, year after year?
Many of our 2024 Open Class Home Arts judges hail from educational fields, and love the idea of sharing constructive feedback. That’s why, this year, we’re introducing Judges’ Scorecards that will be filled out by our judges for each Open Home Arts entry. It’s like a mini-education on a page, containing criteria and critiques that you can use to improve your entries for next year’s Fowlerville Fair.
But we’re not stopping there! Home Arts aren’t a novelty to be trotted out at Fair time, then shelved ‘til next year. They are living crafts; we use them in our daily lives, and we enjoy the ways in which they bring us value. These relevant skills are, by their very nature, designed to be passed down and shared with others. So, let’s do just that!
Southeastern Livingston County Recreation Authority (SELCRA) has generously offered to host a Fowlerville Fair Open Home Arts class series for youth and adults, beginning this Spring, with a portion of proceeds donated toward supporting the Open Class Home Arts program. Taught by skilled community members, these instructional classes will include Home Arts skills and projects that you and your children can enter in this year’s Fair… and enjoy for a lifetime.
Classes will be announced on SELCRA’s website (www.selcra.com) and our “Fowlerville Fair Open Class Home Arts” Facebook group. Stay tuned!
Are you interested in teaching a class in your favorite art or craft? We’re currently looking for instructors in fine arts, photography, needlecraft, fiber arts, folk arts, plants, robotics, woodcraft, and much more. Prior teaching experience is helpful, but not necessary - just a love for your craft and for sharing that joy with others. Let’s keep these skills alive! Please email me, Dawn Bhajan, at dawnbhajan@gmail.com to learn more.
Volunteers are needed and appreciated to help grow the Fowlerville Family Fair Open Home Arts program. Please email me at the address above with interest.
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