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

In 1986, Workman was a recipient of a 1986 National Heritage Fellowship, the U.S. government’s highest honor in the folk arts. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025

It’s inspired by Anna Bond’s folk art textiles, giving you a unique art piece for your home. —Christopher Murray, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025

Nearby is also the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, the country’s oldest American folk art institution. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 6 Mar. 2025

Llewellyn Mejia, purveyor of trinkets and owner of Trinket, grew up seeing folk art everywhere, since his family is from Mexico. —Sandy Sanchez, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for folk art

• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart
• upstart

Kids Definition

folk art

noun

: the traditional art of usually untrained people typically created by an unknown artist