The Clearing Folk School, Folk school in Ellison Bay, United States.
The Clearing Folk School is an educational institution spanning 128 acres of forest and meadows in Wisconsin, offering learning spaces within natural surroundings overlooking Green Bay. The grounds feature historic stone and wood buildings scattered among trees and clearings, designed to support instruction in various arts and natural sciences.
The school was established in 1935 when landscape architect Jens Jensen converted his private summer home into a public educational institution, drawing inspiration from Danish folk schools. This transformation marked a shift from a private retreat to an institution that has taught generations of artists and craftspeople.
The name refers to the open clearings that Jensen deliberately cut into the forest to create spaces for contemplation and learning. Visitors today experience these clearings as gathering places where classes happen in direct contact with the landscape and surrounding woods.
The location is most accessible to visitors during summer months when programs are in session and paths through the woods are easy to navigate. Wearing sturdy footwear is advisable, as the grounds feature uneven terrain with paths winding through trees and across open areas.
Jensen designed the grounds according to his landscape architecture principles, creating open clearings strategically positioned to direct attention to specific views of the land, much like framing elements in a large artwork. This intentional design allows students to experience the site and nature as integral to their learning, not merely as backdrop.
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