Folk art does not follow academic art conventions and can be created from any materials. It often reflects memories or important images for the artist through a raw, creative style. Narrative folk art specifically tells stories through visual images that evoke emotions and cultural truths. Artists may use pencils, paint, paper, fabric, metals, or natural materials in unconventional ways. Folk art festivals are common events in North Carolina, where the art style is diverse due to the state's beaches and mountains. The document encourages readers to create their own folk art piece depicting something meaningful from their own life.

1. American Folk Art
By Shannon Vought – Language assistant

2. What is folk art?
• Folk art does not follow academic art or any type of
training, it has no set technique or theme
• It might be something you don´t think of as art
• It can be made from ANY material
• Folk art has CREATIVE edginess or rawness
• It can be pottery, painting, or sculpture that reflect
memories from childhood or images that stand out to
the artist – this is called narrative art.
• Folk art is extremely diverse and is found all over the
world and throughout history!

3. What is narrative art?
• Narrative Art tells a story. It
uses the power of the visual
image to ignite
imaginations, evoke
emotions and capture
universal cultural truths and
aspirations. What
distinguishes Narrative Art
from other genres is its
ability to narrate a story
across diverse cultures,
preserving it for future
generations.

4. Folk artists might use:
• Pencils, crayons, markers, paint for color – but
others may glue pieces of torn paper, leftover
fabric, metals, strings, or even things from nature
to give their pieces life
• Clay, or other materials to make sculptures
• Simple drawing techniques, paper cutouts, or
homemade stencils for outlines
• Many different materials for one art piece
• Strange shapes and designs that depict
something, somewhere, or someone important
to them

5. Nathan's Famous Vestie Davis (1903–1978) New York City
1958. Oil on canvas 20 x 32 in. American Folk Art Museum,
bequest of Gloria Bley Miller, 2008.5.5

6. Clementine Hunter

7. Art in North Carolina
• North Carolina as a rich folk art culture all
across the state.
• Since there are beaches and mountains in NC,
the folk art is very diverse.
• Tourists love to go to folk art museums to see
this fascinating art style.

8. Artisan Art Festivals
Blowing Rock, NC –
Found in the Blue
Ridge Mountains,
Folk art festivals
featuring loca artists
are a common event

9. Amy Goldstein Rice

10. Kathy Cooper

11. Marie-Helene Grabman

12. Mary Goslin

13. Become a folk artist! (activity)
• Using the ideas from narrative folk art and the
examples in the power point, create your own
piece of folk art.
• Use different materials to create a masterpiece
that depicts something, someone, or somewhere
important in your life. Try to tell a story with your
artwork. Use original designs, or use one you´ve
seen as inspiration.
• You don´t have to be an expert at drawing or
painting to make beautiful and interesting pieces
of meaningful art!