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folk art
noun
: the traditional decorative or utilitarian art of the people that is often an expression of community life and is distinguished from academic or self-conscious or cosmopolitan expression
Along with exhibits showcasing such folk art as quilts, jewelry and toys, visitors learn about the influence of folk art on contemporary art through tours, programs, symposia and art workshops.—Shawn Sell
Examples of folk art in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Visit the largest collection of international folk art in the world.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 29 Mar. 2024
Another city, Qingdao, threw a carnival featuring traditional dances, drum performances, and folk art.
—TIME, 24 Feb. 2024
Mini Mingei exhibit at Liberty Station A Mini Mingei exhibit celebrating human creativity through folk art, craft and design is from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 16 at Mingei International, Building 200, Arts District Liberty Station, 2640 Historic Decatur Road.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2024
After the 1949 revolution, propagandists mass-produced the folk art to depict people living happily under Communist rule.
—Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2023
This classic quilt uses contemporary methods of fusible applique and machine-blanket-stitching, giving the project a casual folk art style.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
Each decanter is decorated with the same artwork—picks, spades and a two peso coin from Sarabia’s birth year on the front, and drawings of a parrot, rooster, and she-goat goat on the back inspired by the folk art of Sinoloa where Sarabia’s family is from.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 19 Dec. 2023
Art-world criticisms aside, the undeniable fact remains that Botero’s rotund figures are here to stay — and will likely remain ingrained in our collective consciousness for generations as well as in museums, galleries, auction houses, and in the folk art of the streets of Medellín.
—Pablo Helguera, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2023
Mini Mingei exhibit celebrates folk art A Mini Mingei exhibit celebrating human creativity through folk art, craft and design is from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 1 and March 15 at Mingei International, Building 200, Arts District Liberty Station, 2640 Historic Decatur Road.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'folk art.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1892, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near folk art
Cite this Entry
“Folk art.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folk%20art. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
folk art
noun
: the traditional art of usually untrained people typically created by an unknown artist
More from Merriam-Webster on folk art
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about folk art
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