Rochester Folk Art Guild

The Rochester Folk Art Guild (also known as “the Guild”) is a non-profit, intenonal community located on 350-acres in the lush Finger Lakes region of New York State. The Guild serves to support and nourish all who are searching for a more conscious, creative, and responsible way of living. In 1967, under the guidance of its founding director, Louise March, a group of people began developing East Hill Farm, as a center for the Guild, where spiritual search, based on the teachings of George Gurdjieff, could be grounded in practical work. This included farming and stewardship of the land, learning and seeking mastery of traditional crafts, and integrating personal growth with the challenges and rewards of interrelationship and community life. Conceived of as a laboratory where like-minded individuals could support each other in the pursuit of self-knowledge while living in harmony with nature and creating everyday objects of timeless beauty, the Guild evolved into a living community of residents and non-resident members. Today, the Guild caringly culvates relationships with its rural neighbors and urban patrons of the arts by welcoming visitors to East Hill Farm’s gallery space, lectures, poetry workshops, open houses, musical performances, as well as longer term education in traditional crafts and organic gardening through residencies, classes, and apprenticeships. Recent highlights of Guild programming include a flute weekend and an annual Craft Weekend that provides opportunities for the public to learn a craft over an intensive four-day period. Guild artisans are known internationally for their beautiful crafts including poetry, woodworking, weaving, natural fiber clothing, and folk toys. The Guild continues the tradition of its founders, serving as a center for weekly gatherings of resident and non-resident members in the exploration and practice of Gurdjieff’s teachings.