The John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC, is one of the nation's most remarkable centers for traditional arts and crafts. Founded in 1925 to nurture and preserve the folk arts of the Appalachian Mountains, the school is dedicated to fostering creativity and togetherness for the artists who come to take its classes in basketry, blacksmithing, book arts, cooking, dance, gardening, glass, instrument-making, jewelry, metalworking, music, painting, photography, quilting, woodworking and more.

The new Field House was constructed to enable more students to stay on the school campus so they can soak up the atmosphere and participate in activities that foster the community experience that is central to the Folk School's mission.

The house faces south and integrates both active and passive solar hot water features. It has been designed to conform to the EPA's Energy Star Certificate Guidelines. The solar water heating system also heats the tile floors in the Field House's bathrooms.

"We decided to install solar water heating systems at our dining hall and six existing dorms at the same time we were working on the Field House as part of our continuous effort to green the Folk School's campus," said John Clarke, the school's Buildings and Grounds Manager.

"As a residential contractor, I had installed a Power Partners Solar system before and was pleased with the company's customer service and the ease of installation," Clarke said.

"Prior to the Folk School's purchase of its collectors, Power Partners provided excellent data-performance analysis of the systems. The company also provided a complete installation kit that made installation hassle-free, and the collectors were light-weight and easy to install."

The Folk School has been conducting a major capital campaign to fund installation of its hot water systems, replacement of older heating and cooling units with energy efficient models, replacement of older fixtures with new ones to conserve water, and enlargement and upgrading of a major septic system. Opportunities for the use of photovoltaic solar systems that generate electricity are also being examined.

The Windgate Charitable Foundation has awarded the Folk School a $250,000 matching grant for the Solar Hot Water Installation Project and the renovation of historic Hill House.

"Power Partners Solar is proud to have been selected to participate in the Folk School's solar water heating project," said Steve Hollis, chief executive officer of Power Partners, Inc. "The school is one of the nation's gems, and we are pleased we could help its very dedicated staff combine the Folk School's wonderful traditions with new ways that will keep the school strong."

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