alabamafolkschool

The Alabama Folk School at Camp McDowell was founded in 2007 as a way to enrich lives and reconnect people to music, art, and each other. Our goal is to provide the opportunity for people to work creatively with their hands, minds, and spirits and to help preserve Alabama’s cultural heritage. We do this by offering classes in traditional folk arts such as dancing, storytelling, banjo, and fiddle as well as the homesteading practices of cooking, canning, and quilting. Located at the McDowell Camp and Conference Center, Alabama Folk School sessions take place amidst 1,140 acres of lush forest and fields, breath-taking scenery, waterfalls, and canyons. We offer workshops of varying lengths, from 2 to 4 days. Instruction times range from 12 hours for a weekend workshop, to 15 hours for a 3-day workshop, and 21 hours for a 4-day workshop. Our small class sizes allow students to fully engage with their instructors in a meaningful way. Classes are offered throughout the year and vary year to year.