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
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Potter and artistic polymath Kawai Kanjiro was a key figure in the 20th-century Mingei folk art movement. Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2026 The museum’s director, Pierre-Olivier Costa, met me in the entry hall and led me through the galleries housing Mucem’s permanent exhibition of items from its collection of folk arts and popular traditions. Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026 Olson’s vibrant illustrations, based on folk art, show long, slender figures who fill the pages with color and activity. Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026 This one reminds us of Scandinavian folk art with its abstract stripes and primary color scheme. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for folk art

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of folk art was in 1892

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Cite this Entry

“Folk art.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folk%20art. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

folk art

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

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