MOUNTAIN VIEW — The Arkansas Craft School recently purchased and moved into The Cornerstone Building on Mountain View’s historic courthouse square and made the building home to six crafting studios, a shop, an art library and more.
Since January 2014, Eugenia ‘Gin’ Brown has served as president of the Arkansas Craft School Board. Brown is a fervent supporter of the arts who loves watching people experience what the Arkansas Craft School has to offer.
The Arkansas Craft School offers a variety of workshops and courses in clay, glass, fiber, metal, wood, photography and studio art.
The school also teaches business and marketing geared toward craft artisans.
“This 5,800-square-foot building is one of the most prominent buildings on the square. It was completely renovated in 2000, with new plumbing, electrical, interior and exterior upgrades, and heating and air. The purchase would have not been possible without the generous help of the owners, Drs. Charlie and Debra Varela, and the support of many business and individual donors,” Brown said.
Some improvements to the building include a clay studio constructed with remodeled cabinets, shelf units and a table built for the glazing room; workspace tables with a vent system; new electrical work for some of the studios; new sinks and faucets installed; and a remodeled storage room to house the glass and jewelry studio, she said.
The building has also been cleaned, painted and organized.
The Arkansas Craft School is important because of the impact it has on individuals and the community at large, Brown said.
“Studies demonstrate that nonprofit art and culture industry is also an economic driver in communities — a growth industry that supports jobs, generates revenue and is the cornerstone of tourism,” she said.
For example, a student from Louisiana and an instructor from Mississippi visited, ate, shopped and stayed in Mountain View for a two-day copper-jewelry class recently, she said.
As a nonprofit organization, Brown said, the school is dedicated to appreciation, growth and instruction of arts and crafts.
“The organization was founded in 2007 by artisans, business people and educators who were passionate about crafts and recognized the training needs for existing craft artisans. [The founders] also saw the ‘graying of the craft community’ and realized that training young people was essential for these art forms to continue,” she said.
The first full year of classes began at the school in 2009, she said, starting with a workshop presented by Bruce Baker.
“Through our partnerships with Ozarka College, we offer CEUs (continuing education units) for all of our classes, which are accepted as professional development for public-school teachers. In addition to the studio experience and art camp for young artists, the ACS offers demonstrations, presentations and exhibits,” she said.
Brown said she has been involved with the school since its beginning and first served as its program committee chair.
When the Arkansas Craft School was initially discussed, Brown was campus coordinator at Ozarka College in Mountain View.
“The vice president of academics for Ozarka, the art instructor at Ozarka College-Mountain View and I saw the ACS as a program that we felt would be a good fit for Ozarka College and the Mountain View community; thus we became involved,” she said.
Kay Adkins worked with Brown at Ozarka College-Mountain View before Brown’s retirement and described her as positive, dedicated, encouraging and driven.
“Gin is the most intentional person I have ever met when it comes to demonstrating her gratitude for people who support a community project to which she is connected,” Adkins said. “Both professionally and personally, I most admire Gin’s commitment to relationships.”
Phyllis Haynes, development chair of the ACS Board of Directors, said Brown is a pillar in the community of Mountain View.
Brown has been active in the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce, Haynes said.
“She also serves on the Arkansas Arts Council, appointed to that position by state Sen. Missy Irvin (R-Mountain View) and state Rep. Michelle Gray (R-Melbourne),” Haynes said.
Haynes said Brown is generous and gracious, and is known for baking sourdough bread and handing out loaves around town as “thank yous.”
“She works tirelessly for whatever cause she is supporting,” Haynes said. “Since March, she and her husband, Stan, have spent almost every day at the school painting, cleaning, building out rooms, putting up walls and more. Gin stands out because of her generosity, her kindness and her dependability. She is an awesome friend.”
Haynes said the new building was purchased as a result of the old one being dilapidated and too small for the school.
“It was located down the street from the downtown square, and its visible presence was limited. But most importantly, it was one big, crumbling room that did not allow us any opportunity for expansion,” she said.
According to the ACS website, upcoming classes in September will include Magical Mosaics, Drawing People, Collage and Smart Phone Photography.
A Women’s Creativity Retreat will also take place Sept. 22-24 at Tomahawk Creek Farm near Mountain View.
Brown said craft and creativity workshops in writing, jewelry, felting, embroidery and sketching will be available, as well as a bonfire and concert featuring Mary and Robert Gillihan.
Additional activities will include sourdough bread-making, yoga and massage appointments, she said.
“This could be a mother-daughter weekend, girlfriends weekend, lifelong friends weekend of creating, relaxing and catching up; or a team-building weekend for a work group,” she said.
“I am the sourdough bread-maker, so I know we will have a good time. We may get a little flour on us, but that is OK,” she said.
Registration must be completed by Sept. 7.
Brown said she’s passionate about education, the school and the city of Mountain View.
“The ACS envisions a vibrant, creative community that inspires a life-affirming appreciation of and support of the arts,” Brown said.
For more information on the Arkansas Craft School or the Women’s Creativity Retreat, contact ACS at (870) 269-8397.
Staff writer Kayla Baugh can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or kbaugh@arkansasonline.com.