Category: Folk Art

Refined by: (Author) Meg Nicholas

A man in a button down shirt and slacks walks through an alley. Several other men lean against the wall. Behind them, a brightly colored mural stretches the full height and length of the alley, featuring a playing card, a skull, several people laughing and dancing, and multiple bold patterns. A sign to the left of the two men advertises an upcoming "Jazz Battle" with Arthur Simpson.

Whose Space Is It? Artistic Expression in Public Places

January 30, 2026

Inspired by the murals and graffiti she encountered on her own recent travels, AFC Folklife Specialist Meg Nicholas explores the topic of street art and wonders if we can truly draw distinctions between official and unsanctioned examples of artistic expression.

Posted in: Folk Art, Photographs

A man sits in a woodcarving studio, surrounded by tools of his craft. He holds up a hand-carved owl statue and looks directly at the camera, a small smile on his face. His clothes are protected by a thick canvas apron.

Handmade and Heartfelt: Traditional Crafts

December 23, 2024

Posted by: Meg Nicholas

In an attempt to inspire herself and others to finish handmade gifts for the holidays, Folklife Specialist Meg Nicholas takes readers on a quick tour of hand-crafted items documented in the Center’s field survey collections.

Posted in: Collection Highlight, Crafts, Folk Art, Material Culture, Quilts, Textile arts

Refined by: (Author) Meg Nicholas