Americana Insights highlights the best examples of traditional American folk art from Colonial times to the early 20th century—objects of extraordinary beauty, created with purpose by skilled, artful hands. Thoughtful essays and gorgeous color photographs tell the stories behind the art and its makers and celebrate the richness and diversity of our folk-art traditions, encompassing works by rural and city artisans, Pennsylvania Germans, Shakers, African Americans, schoolgirls and female academies, Native Americans, and many others.

Presentations offer fresh insight on a host of objects—carved and paint-decorated furniture and boxes; paintings and portraits by itinerant artists; trade figures and signs; redware and stoneware pottery; weathervanes and whirligigs; ceramics, glass, silver, pewter, and other decorative arts; quilts, samplers, needlework, and embroidery; family records, calligraphy, valentines, and friendship albums; decoys, scrimshaw, and other carvings; hooked and sewn rugs; Windsor chairs and benches; baskets, woodenware, tools, and more —and put them all into historical, social, and artistic context.

By inviting experts and scholars to share new research, our content remains fresh and current. By sharing our deep appreciation for Americana, we hope to extend and enhance knowledge of traditional American folk art among long time collectors, students and scholars. And, by keeping everything accessible and enjoyable, we hope to inspire and engage newcomers.
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