Free School

Innisfree’s free school workstation recognizes the value of individual expression so each week free school participants explore their creative sides. Music therapy, pottery, and reading time provide a dedicated space for coworkers, volunteer caregivers, and artisans to work side by side on projects and practice skills. Free schoolers joyfully engage in music and rehearse a song and dance number for a community performance. Clay flowerpots are lovingly shaped and glazed for Mother’s Day in pottery. A small group gathers to share in reading a favorite story. 

Free school is a fulfilling choice for many coworkers who find it challenging to work a full day in other workstations, but it is also time for people to grow and learn together as a group. During vase painting in the pottery, an opportunity may arise to learn the importance of sharing space and tools. Reading to one another is a wonderful way to connect and talk about life. Singing cheerful songs to the residents of a retirement community during the holidays spreads the joy and exuberance felt each day at Innisfree.

POTTERY

Becky Garrity

Under the guidance and expertise of Becky Garrity, local potter and our beloved instructor, coworkers (and volunteers too!) enjoy creating beautiful and useful art through the medium of clay. Each week we have the opportunity to work on individual and group projects, gleaning inspiration especially from the nature around us and wherever our imagination may take us. You'll find our finished clay pieces all around the village whether as a flower vase on a kitchen table, or a platter for the coffee table. There is beautiful evidence of the unique and colorful marks that the Innisfree potters make on the community.

A woman holding a clay birdhouse. Her hair is pulled back with a headband, she is smiling and wearing an apron.
A smiling man is working on painting a mug. he is smiling and wearing an apron.
A man in a beret is sitting at a table with jars of paint. He is working on a painting.
A smiling woman in an orange hat is working on a pottery project. She is wearing a red apron.
A woman in a green shirt and white apron is helping a woman in a pink shirt with a pottery project.
A woman in a green shirt is teaching a pottery class to a group of students. One woman in a black shirt is working on her project while a woman in a pink shirt looks on smiling.
A man with a grey beard holding a clay pot. He is smiling and wearing a hat.
A woman is working on an art project. There is a green mug next to her. She is in a pottery studio.
A woman in a pink shirt is teaching a pottery class. A woman in a black shirt is focusing on her project.
A woman in a pink shirt and red apron is working on a pottery project. She is smiling.
A group of people learning to make pottery in a class. They are in a pottery studio.
A woman in a pink shirt is smiling while she is working on a pottery project. She is rolling clay with a rolling pin.

MUSIC 

Cathy Bollinger

Every Wednesday afternoon, a group of dedicated and enthusiastic coworkers and volunteers gathers for music classes. At the helm is Cathy Bollinger, music therapist extraordinaire, who has been with Innisfree since 1988. From group sessions to private lessons, including learning various instruments, Innisfree coworkers have the opportunity to stretch their creative muscles, explore avenues of self-expression, and expand their personal talents and self-confidence. Cathy leads classes in familiar songs and games, instruments to help us keep to the beat, and clapping and snapping our fingers to fan favorites along with new tunes too.

Two women performing music together outside. One woman is singing and the other woman is playing guitar.
A group of people sitting in a circle outside in the sun. There are trees and mountains behind them. They are singing together in a group.
A group of people singing together in a tent. One woman is playing guitar, while the rest of the group is singing into microphones.
Women singing together. One woman is wearing a while shirt and playing the guitar. The other two women are holding hands and singing together. One woman is wearing a lime green shirt and the other woman is wearing a striped white and black shirt.

LIBRARY

Free school Library has been a favorite amongst Innisfree coworkers and volunteers for many, many years. Whether gathering at the Crozet Public Library or at an Innisfree home, community members come together each week to read and talk about themes, favorite characters, and practice reading skills.

Three people sitting together in a room with natural wood floors and walls. One person is reading to the other two people.There are two paintings on people in the background.
Two people sitting together. One is reading to the other person. On the table in front of them is a pile of books. They are sitting by a large window.
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