Appalachian folk art is a regional form of folk art based in the Appalachian region in the United States. In an article about the contemporary form of this art, Chuck Rosenak stated, "the definition of folk art is obscure".[1] Folk art is a way to convey the feelings and mannerisms of cultures through handmade visual art and communicates a message to the observer. Though folk art itself was brought to the Americas by Europeans, it has adapted to each region and has cultivated traditions in each region.[2]
The Appalachian region, located in the northeast region of the United States, includes parts the following 13 states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.[3] The region includes mountain ranges, plateaus, and plains as well as American Indian tribal communities[4] that have inspired Appalachian folk art and founded the numerous techniques to create such art. There is a variety of methods to express Appalachian folk art that can be seen in the different textiles and forms of art such as basketry, pottery, and woodcarving.
- ^ Rosenak, Chuck (2 August 2019). "Museum of American Folk Art Encyclopedia of Twentieth-century American Folk Art and Artists ". Contemporary Folk Painting in Appalachia. Special Collections Research Center, Appalachian State University. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "What is Folk Art?". International Folk Art. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
- ^ "About the Appalachian Region". Appalachian Regional Commission.
- ^ "Tribal Communities in the Appalachian Region". Appalachian Regional Commission.