There are few things in life as stressful as having to move. I will put up with often-deplorable living conditions, sometimes for years, if it means avoiding cracking out the masking tape and calling in favors from friends with trucks.
Still, even though they chose to move at a time when walking outside feels like being slapped by the sun, I’m hopeful the Folk School of Chattanooga’s decision to relocate marks the start of a promising new chapter for the institution.
Between now and a grand opening in September, the school will transition from its North Shore location to a 5,000-square-foot building at 1800 Rossville Ave., the former home of Ignis Glass Studio.
After four years of aggressively recruiting students, the school has been a victim of its own success, attracting more pupils and larger audiences than its former, 1,700-square-foot building could fit.
Last fall, school co-founders Matt Evans and Christie Burns began looking into about a dozen new buildings. Some were too expensive, some were too far away and some required extensive renovations.