l-r (son) John Allen, Elizabeth Allan, Mikell Executive Director Jessica LeFiles

The folk school founded by the late Rt. Rev. Frank K. Allan, eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, his wife Elizabeth, and long-time assistant, Glenna Smith recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

After retiring in 2000, Allan established The Work of Our Hands to provide arts and crafts centers for Holy Comforter Episcopal Church and Emmaus House in Atlanta. The project offered a way for individuals at the ministries to develop marketable skills and showcase their artistic talents through an annual Artists’ Market.

Allan, an avid wood worker, said he took his inspiration from the Danish concept of providing skill-building opportunities for rural communities and adapted it to an urban setting for inner-city residents.

Soon Allan set his sights on a new demographic, saying “Why not try a folk school at Camp Mikell.” At first Allan and others hauled the equipment from Emmaus House to Camp Mikell on a Friday and then back to Atlanta on Sunday evening, so it was ready for Emmaus House to use on Monday. Volunteer artists also brought their equipment and supplies to and from Camp Mikell.

After several years Allen decided that it was “crazy to do the hauling back and forth. Why not just have a full separate facility in Toccoa?”

So, he raised money to build the St. Joseph the Carpenter Craft Center at Camp Mikell, to offer workshops and instruction in a variety of crafts.

The Craft Center overlooks the main campus of Mikell with views of the surrounding ridges, including the Camp Mikell cross. It has five pods specifically designed for different arts and crafts. It is available for use by visiting groups and during The Allan Folk School held each Spring and Fall.

There is a pod for woodturning with 8 lathes, a band saw, sander, scroll saws, drill press and other equipment. The pottery pod has several wheels, a utility sink with hot and cold water, and a separate room with kilns. The weaving pod has looms of varying size. There are stained glass, painting, and other forms of art located in other pods. These and many other classes are offered.

Elizabeth Allan and her son John Allan were on hand for the ceremony marking the anniversary of the Allan Folk School at Camp Mikell. In 2012, she wrote a poem reminiscing about the school and camp.

Allan died in 2019 at the age of 84, but his inspiration of fostering a sense of community through shared artistic endeavors continues as people from different backgrounds, races, income levels, and abilities bond with others as they learn craft skills.

And current leaders of The Allan Folk School at Camp Mikell remain committed to the vision set forth by its founder to create opportunities for personal growth, self-expression, and unity through the arts. As they look to the future, the words of Psalm 90:17 serve as their inspiration: “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and prosper for us the Work of Our Hands – O prosper the Work of Our Hands!”