Saturday, May 19 – Green Design & Sustainability Expo at the Courtyard

Innovations in the art of sustainable living are making a home at the Artisans Courtyard.

With the support of Dayton's Go Green Committee, the Artisans Courtyard hosted the town's first Green Design & Sustainability Expo on Saturday, May 19.  From 10 am to 5 pm, the Courtyard showcased a range of "upcycling" opportunities to turn everyday objects into surprising and delightful works of art.

Valnora Leister, founder of the Arts of the World shop and cofounder of the Artisans Courtyard Volunteer Network, completed a chandelier and set up floral arrangements made of plastic cups and water bottles.  A range of highly-rated entrants in Gift & Thrift's April upcycling art contest were also on display.

In response to the growing interest on how to save on energy, the Expo also featured increasingly affordable ways of turning the sun's energy into electricity– and of paring monthly costs of cooling, heating, and garden watering systems. 

Mark Frazier, ACVN's Chairman, demonstrated a new 45 watt solar array for rooftop mounting at the Courtyard.  The Harbor Freight solar panels will be installed on the roof of a Courtyard gallery to irrigate a "nomadic garden" comprised of plants growing in stackable (and movable) milk crates.

Further highlights of the day included setup of an oak rainbarrel system for irrigation of the upcoming Courtyard nomadic garden, and a demonstration of green cleaning solutions by Dayton entrepreneur Diana Woodall of Athena Cleaning.

"We appreciate the imagination and practical demonstrations pointing to more resilient options for living and working in Dayton and the Valley," said Frazier. "We'll enjoy visiting with all with an interest in new technologies and design solutions to come by and explore with us the opportunities for a greener future."

'Arts in the Park' Classes Gear Up for June Launch

Artisans Courtyard presents “Arts in the Park!” From June through December, we are offering Saturday Art Classes for kids, teens and adults at our scenic location in Cooks Creek Park.

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Classes are held in open air or in Courtyard gallery buildings. Families can enroll in our Courtyard Arts Club for only $50 each year (per student) to take Saturday classes at discounted tuitions of 20% per class. During weekdays, customized classes also can be scheduled for individuals who are members of the Arts Club, as long as the minimum is met (3-5 students, depending on requirements of each class).  

Classes are taught by experienced artists/instructors whose works are displayed at galleries in the Artisan Courtyard. Instructors include Lisa Bondurant (tie dye and heliography), LauraLea Marlyn-Spitler ( painting on glass and ceramics), Judith Rocchiccioli (jewelry design/making and silk painting), Valnora Leister (upcycling art), Mark Frazier (3D design and printing), William Groah (digital photography), Shawn Leister-Frazier (video recording, editing, and moviemaking), Beverly Bondurant (crochet), and Diane Roll (culinary arts).

Class size for Saturday classes: 3-5 prepaid participants for crocheting; 5-15 for other classes. Classes are held outdoors or indoors based on the weather, and repeat each month at the same times. Each class includes guidance on sharing or selling your creations online.

For info on registering, fill in a contact form, call Lisa at 540-820-1016, visit the Courtyard (Thursday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm) at 230 Bowman Road in Dayton, or email info@artisanscourtyard.org. We look forward to seeing you!

Birthday parties, recitals, and other special events? It's a piece of cake at the Courtyard!

No time or space to get ready for a party?  "Celebrations in the Park" at Artisan’s Courtyard is the perfect solution for a festive gathering in the Valley. We offer a beautiful outdoor setting, very affordable amenities, playground in the park and tons of fresh air!

Arts & Craft activities are available for every party. An experienced Courtyard artist will lead the group through the fun process of learning and making a new art or craft of your choice. Each guest will leave with a beautiful creation of their own with which to remember the wonderful day.

Celebrations for kids' birthdays and hobby events can be themed by picking from one of our packages, including Luau, Dinosaur/Prehistoric, Tie Dye, Painting or Jewelry Making, Tea Party, Fairy Tea Party, or American Girl Doll Tea Party. Decorations, tents, and music reflecting your chosen theme will be up and ready around the party area to create the perfect atmosphere. (We ask the person booking the party, or a pre-agreed designee, to ensure all children in the gathering are well watched and looked after throughout the event.)

If you're preparing an event for an older crowd, we can arrange decorations and live music for your team or club gathering, as well as for a Ladies Tea Party in the Park, Evening Tea Party, Moms Night Out, etc. All including an art or craft project if desired... or just come to relax and enjoy a fun time with friends.

For food and refreshments, you're welcome to bring your own. Or you can enjoy delicious snacks, party trays, wraps, salads or sandwiches custom made for you on site by Mama’s Caboose. All you'd then have to do is bring a cake if desired... as well as your guests!

What could be easier?  Please contact Lisa Bondurant or LauraLea Marlyn-Spitler (540.578.1680 or info@artisanscourtyard.org) for details. We look forward to helping you with a festive and memorable event.

Coming Attractions: New Courtyard Co-op Gallery & Dayton Visitor Center

Artisans Courtyard is growing! A covered picnic area at Cooks Creek Park is being converted into a Dayton Visitor Center and Courtyard Co-op Gallery building in coming months. The 12' x 24' area will showcase works of juried Co-op members, and offer rotating displays for emerging artists (associate Co-op members). Members of the Artisans Courtyard Volunteer Network will staff the Visitor Center at no cost to the Town. Courtyard Co-op Gallery/Dayton Visitor Center

The layout of the space will allow art classes and Courtyard special events to be held indoors. In recent weeks, the Artisans Courtyard has also arranged to do a pilot of semi-permanent tents on the site, to provide new options for exhibitors and for outdoor learning events.

Artists and artisans who would like to become full or associate members are invited to contact Co-op organizer LauraLea at 540.578.1680 (laura@artisanscourtyard.org) – we look forward to hearing from you!

Highlights of the Courtyard's Celebration Opening/Red Bud Festival Events

 What a way to launch our first full season! Heartfelt thanks to the dozens of artists/artisans, vendors, musicians, and many hundreds of vistors (and three alpacas) who enlived our April 7 Celebration Opening - and the Red Bud festivities on the following weekend at the Courtyard.