Lincoln family developing school for preservation of traditional skills and art

The building on the corner of Sucker Creek and Highway 200, formerly home to Wind Turbine Tools and before that Summit Seekers Skidoo and Woodhouse Construction*, has a new and unique future ahead of it after being purchased this summer by Jason & Tiana Valler.

The Vallers have been hard at work on their plans for the building and their future here in Lincoln.

Their plans will unfold in stages, and to start things off they are opening the Heritage House Artisan School for the Education of Lost Arts. The Vallers' define the "lost arts" as an art, craft or skill that is difficult to find or to get trained in.

"Usually, someone would have to go further away to find someone with the skills to teach them in a specific area." Jason said.

They are planning to begin with blacksmithing, fiber arts, winter gardening and silversmithing classes, and grow their teachings from there.

"We want to bring people in to learn and leave with new skills. People are looking for experiences, not just stuff. They may not use it when they get home, but they will have an understanding of how things are made, the process, the tools and the resources." Tiana said.

The mission of the school focuses on several areas including cultivating and growing the artisan community aspect of Lincoln; creating a culture of learning within the community; training the next generation in skills that will enhance their lives and our world and bringing more commerce to Lincoln to create jobs. It also includes bringing beauty into our community, and benefitting local kids and families as well as businesses and people from outside the area.

The Vallers envision the school as a learning center taking fragmented resources and bringing them all together in one place where people can learn from masters in traditional skills and art forms. Their plan includes utilizing teachers from the area and bringing in experts from outside the area as well, providing instruction to kids and adults alike.

"The goal is for people to come, make something with their hands to take home with them while creating quality, heirloom type items and learning the skills that go along with it." Jason said.

"It's about helping people to slow down. We're meant to be makers. It's good for us and ties us into the history of Lincoln and around the world," Tiana added.

The idea is to join people together in Lincoln, as well as to pull people into town and support the local businesses.

The Vallers plan to offer classes at a discount to local residents and are looking forward to working with kids in the middle school. They want to see their school produce artisans who will grow within the Lincoln community, and to teach them lifelong skills that will help them earn a living and stay in the community.

In December, the Vallers will host the Heritage House Christmas, which will feature handcrafted items and gifts from local artisans. The event is scheduled for the first three weekends in December, beginning Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Coffee and refreshments will be available as well.

The Vallers also want people to know they are still roasting their coffee. Information will be coming soon on upcoming open houses that will offer coffee tasting and tours of the roastery, as well as the opportunity to talk with Jason and Tiana directly about what they have planned and about the next phases of the school.

*This version often story corrects the name of the businesses that were located in the building before Wind Turbine Tools.