Where Art Happens: A Summer Evening at ESSA
The Magic of a Summer Evening at ESSA
It started with the scent of fresh-cut wood and the kind of buzz that happens when creativity is being shared in real time. On Saturday, July 26, the Eureka Springs School of the Arts welcomed the community for its 2025 ESSA Summer Studio Stroll, inviting guests to step right into the spaces where ideas are shaped and refined. By the time the sun began to sink behind the Ozark hills, the campus had become a living showcase; a place where works-in-progress told their own stories and every turn led to something unexpected.
The Carver’s Touch with John Engler
The stroll kicked off in the Windgate Wood Studio bench room, where Master Carver John Engler greeted guests with a smile… and a carving knife. For his demo, he began carving the name “Gary Cook” into a board, despite Gary himself being nowhere in sight. Between laughs, John fielded questions from the crowd and invited everyone to take a closer look at his work. Surrounding the group were student pieces depicting barns, mills, bears, and other creatures, as well as his own finely detailed carvings. The room felt like a gallery and workshop rolled into one, alive with the marks of craftsmanship and character.
Turning Time with Phil Sikes
A few steps away, the atmosphere shifted from quiet concentration to high-speed precision. In the lathe room, Phil Sikes set out to turn a bowl in record time… and made it look almost effortless. Overhead, a big screen gave guests a front-row seat to every turn of his chisel and each perfect curve as it took shape. Phil’s humor kept the crowd laughing while his skill kept them captivated. When the finished bowl made its way around the room, it still held the warmth of the lathe, and maybe a little of the thrill from watching it come to life in minutes.
Color, Glass, and a Bit of Wizardry with Dennis Heter
After a quick refreshment stop, visitors were drawn to the glow of the 2D Studio. Inside, Dennis “Hete” Heter (owner of Wizard Stained Glass), was surrounded by color: jewel-toned glass pieces catching the light at every angle. He welcomed everyone in like old friends, then launched into a demo on foiling and soldering with the kind of easy wit that had people both laughing and leaning closer. His students’ candle boxes sparkled under the studio lights, proof of the skill and patience that stained glass demands. It was part workshop, part conversation, part magic show… the kind where the magician tells you exactly how it’s done, and it’s still magic anyway.
Carving Clay and Sharing the Journey with Stefani Christianson
Downstairs in the ceramics studio, the air held the earthy scent of wet clay. At her instructor table, Stefani Christianson (one of ESSA’s 2023 Ceramics Artists in Residence), worked on a coil-built vessel, carving deep, flowing designs into its surface. Guests wandered among the tables to admire student work before gathering to watch Stefani at her craft. She spoke about her process and her love for filling her pots with carved patterns inspired by nature. Whispers circulated that her demo piece might end up in the Mad Hatter Ball auction later this year. Whether or not that proves true, the moment captured the essence of her work: personal, intricate, and alive with intention.
The Kind of Evening That Stays With You
By the end of the night, guests had seen wood transformed into names and wildlife scenes, a bowl shaped before their eyes, glass soldered into glowing patterns, and clay surfaces etched with intricate designs. The 2025 ESSA Summer Studio Stroll wasn’t just a tour; it was a chance to watch creativity take shape in the hands of people who live and breathe their craft. If you missed this July evening, the September stroll is already on the calendar. Come see what’s in the making, meet the people behind the work, and maybe even find yourself becoming part of ESSA’s creative story.
Get Involved at ESSA
If the 2025 ESSA Summer Studio Stroll left you curious and inspired, there are plenty of ways to dive deeper into the creative world at ESSA:
- Explore your skills in stained glass with Dennis Heter’s upcoming workshop, Intermediate: Build a Stained-Glass Lamp here.
- See more of Stefani Christianson’s intricate ceramic work from her time as an ESSA Artist in Residence here.
- Stay connected by following updates on future Studio Strolls, catching up on past stroll highlights, and getting the details on the September 2025 Studio Stroll here.
- And if you’re ready to create something of your own, browse all of ESSA’s 2025 workshops and find your next artistic adventure here.
To learn more about ESSA, its transformative programs, or upcoming events, visit essa-art.org, sign up for our mailing list, or follow us on social media:
Media Inquiries
For all media inquiries, please reach out to:
Chrissie Heavenridge
Email: marketing@essa-art.org
Phone: (479) 253-5384
Website: essa-art.org
Thank you for helping us share the story of how community support is shaping the future of the arts.
