Hearth Broom

Instructor: Marlow Gates

Day & Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Tuition: $105.00

Ages: 18 and Up

Explore the traditional craft and emerging art form of broom making. Did you ever wonder what broom corn is? Marlow will introduce this natural material and discuss some of its history. Learn to make a hearth broom from start to finish. All levels are welcome; moderate hand and upper-body strength is needed.

There will be a 1-hour lunch break. Bring your lunch or explore local dining options; restaurants are limited near the main campus.  

Experience needed: All levels are welcome. No experience required.

Location: This workshop will be held on the John C. Campbell Folk School main campus, in the Rock Room Studio connected to the Woodworking Studio. You will check in at the studio on the day of the workshop. The Rock Room is number 19 on the Campus Map 

Students Please Bring:

• Clothes that can get dirty.
• Note taking materials.
• (Optional) A snack and/or water bottle. Filtered water is available in the classroom.

An additional fee for materials provided by your instructor for this workshop is estimated at $30.00. THIS FEE IS PAYABLE TO THE INSTRUCTOR at the time of the workshop. Material fees may change depending on the number of participants and price of materials at the workshop. *Payment by cash or check is required for materials fees. 

* We contract with local and regional instructors for short workshops that generally require a minimum of students to run. If you have any questions, you’re welcome to call Olive’s Porch for up-to-date enrollment information. To respect our instructor’s time and preparation for workshops, please contact us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a workshop. Cancellations made more than 14 days prior to a workshop will be issued a full refund. Cancellations made 14 or less days prior to your workshop are not eligible for a refund. If Olive’s Porch needs to cancel a workshop for any reason, we will issue a full refund. See our General Information and Policies page on our website for more information.

About Instructor: Marlow Gates is a second-generation broommaker, carrying on his father's tradition of craftsmanship in broommaking. Rumor has it that he has been tying brooms since he was five years old (bonus points to any student who brings in the tabloid article from 1977 which verifies this rumor!). With a degree in design from North Carolina State University, Marlow now joins his wife, Diana, in creating brooms as functional art at their studio in Big Sandy Mush, NC.