In light of increased risk factors related to COVID-19 and out of an abundance of care for
ESSA’s staff, students, instructors and volunteers, in-person workshop activity is currently on hold until further notice.
EUREKA SPRINGS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
In the belief that art is vital to the human spirit, the Eureka Springs School of the Arts commits itself to cultivating, promoting, and encouraging artistic expression by providing art and fine craft education opportunities for students of all levels in a unique environment of beauty and creativity
When ESSA began in 1998, we were a school without walls, with passionate local artists offering up their studios to support workshops. A few years later, ESSA moved into a small campus with one building and an acre of land. Today, ESSA has grown into a 55-acre campus with seven teaching studios located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Kip Powers
Wood
Kip (Rogers, AR) has been turning for over 30 years, currently making small to moderate scale vessels from domestic woods. He is a co-founder of the Stateline Woodturners and has taught at ESSA and the Arkansas Craft School.
Eli Vega
Special Media
Eli (Eureka Springs, AR) is a self-taught, award-winning, and highly published photographer with over 25 years of experience. He is a regular presenter and judge for camera clubs and art groups and offers workshops at Rocky Mountain National Park, Garden of The Gods, and the Ozarks Natural Science Center. He is a certified workshop facilitator and makes his workshops engaging, interactive, and fun.
Nick Deford
Special Media
Nick (Knoxville, TN) is an artist, educator, and arts administrator. He received his MFA from Arizona State University, and a MS and BFA from the University of Tennessee. He exhibits nationally and has also taught workshops at Penland School of Crafts, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, East Carolina University and the University of Louisville. Currently, Nick is the Program Director at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee and works on his fiber art practice from his home studio.
Eleanor Lux
Special Media
Eleanor (Eureka Springs, Arkansas) is a studio artist using primarily weaving and beading techniques to create her sculptures and wall pieces. Her work is in the Arkansas Arts Center. She has taught in the United States, Mexico, and West Africa. You may see her work in 500 Beaded Objects and Masters of Bead Weaving.
Dee Levang
Painting & Drawing
Dee (St. Louis, MO) is an abstract artist working in encaustic, cold wax and oil, and fiber. She studied graphic design at California Institute of the Arts, and has been teaching encaustic and fiber workshops since 2015.
Alicia Farris
Painting & Drawing
Alicia (Springfield, MO) has been included and recognized in numerous national and international exhibits. She recently received signature status in the prestigious National Watercolor Society, based in Los Angeles, CA. She was commissioned to create nine large acrylic paintings for the new Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C.
Vic Drennen
Iron
Vic (Hot Springs Village, AR) has 25 years of experience teaching adults both in the corporate world and in studio settings. He was an artist in residence at Krueger Pottery in St. Louis for 10 years. Vic is currently retired and spends his time creating in steel and wood. His work in on sale at galleries in Hot Springs and Eureka Springs, AR.
Charles Judd
Wood
Charles (Brasstown, NC) has taught woodworking at the John C. Campbell folk school since 2008, and teaches workshops nationwide on timber framing as well as woodworking. He started woodworking on his grandparents’ back porch and it has been his passion ever since.