I spent last week teaching two children’s art classes at the Eastern Shore Art Center. Fun, fun, fun, with laughs to spare!
The first class was all about Picasso. On the third day of class, one little girl said, “Why do we keep talking about Cablo Piclasso so much?”
The second class was all about buildings and architecture. They may have been young, but they really got into drawing and creating their own buildings. Especially with marshmallows.
On the last day of class, we walked across the street to tour Fairhope’s Mosher Castle.
Why, of course we have a castle downtown, don’t you?
Built by the late Fairhope artist Craig Sheldon, it is now occupied by his daughter, popular dance instructor Pagan, and her husband, artist Dean Mosher. Although it’s  a private residence, Dean has told me sightseers have often walked right in, thinking it is a public building. The Moshers are so relaxed and hospitable about it all. I would have a screaming fit if someone just walked right in to my castle! (I would make a “throne” joke here if I were that kind of person).
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The children did a fabulous job sketching the stones and creative additions to the walls. It never fails to amaze me how children can absorb what they experience. They are truly like sponges. While keeping busy sketching the goldfish pond in the photo above, there was great confusion over why they were called “gold fish” and not the more obvious and practical “orange fish.”
The exterior of the castle has added pieces including fragments from the Berlin Wall . . . and then there’s also a frog or two.
The festive boxcar also had to be inspected for trolls and fairies, because it was a creative, magical kind of week.
. . . and we all lived happily ever after.
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CLICK HERE to read more about the Mosher Castle which has been featured on HGTV.
[…] brother and sister duo grew up in “The Castle” which I wrote about HERE, so no wonder they are two of the most creative people in […]
I have never seen this either. While I would never walk right in — could you persuade them to let YOU in to get some interior shots?
How fun!! I bet the kids just loved it.
How generous of you to share your spirit with those sweet cuties! I know you had as much fun as they did! I haven’t ever heard about Fairhope’s castle, of course the perfect little town would have it’s very own magical castle!
what a neat little spot!
b
Castle? What castle? lol. Actually I was was thinking we could ask Dean for a tour for one of our blog meetups.
Awesome idea! I’ll get my princess dress ready.
No, we don’t have a castle here and I didn’t know you had a castle in Fairhope. I guess that’s another good reason to never miss one of your posts Leslie Anne. I’ve got to tour the castle next time I visit you. Thanks for adding this to my radar! The children are adorable and I know you enjoy spending time with them. I know they enjoy having you as their teacher…………….Enjoy, summer is almost gone!
What an amazing week for the children with an unforgettable field trip to sketch a castle and see a magic boxcar for the conclusion!
What lucky children to have you as their teacher.
Ok, I’m really embarrassed. I live here and I’ve never seen the castle. I’ll check it out! Such cute little artists!
You’ll love it!
Maybe we can schedule a field trip?
How did I miss seeing this fabulous castle when I visited Fairhope? It reminds me a little of Fonthill Castle up in Pennsylvania, which was built by a creative Moravian pottery maker.