Something Beautiful: The Art of the Folly Cove Designers
January 30, 2024 3:36 PM Subscribe
"A simple Yankee swap in 1938 between neighbors in the quaint neighborhood of Folly Cove, in Gloucester, Massachusetts—design lessons in exchange for music instruction—became the foundation of the Folly Cove Designers, one of the longest running and most successful juried artist guilds in American history." A new book explores the design course begun by children's author Virginia Lee Burton.
"The Cape Ann Museum houses the largest collection of work by the Folly Cove Designers, a group of designer-craftsmen who worked together from 1938 to 1969. They produced carefully wrought designs cut into linoleum blocks and printed (primarily) on fabric. Their common interest was in producing solid designs and in good craftsmanship. The Museum's collection includes printed textiles and paper, items made from their fabrics, and examples of the linoleum blocks they carved."
A list, including a brief biography and images of designs by each designer. Worth exploring!
This article includes a group photo, taken in 1949, and a photo of an acorn press. It also includes this lovely summary of Burton's efforts: “She wanted people to have art in their daily lives, and she believed that people get something fundamental out of hard work,” says [Jennifer] Scanlon. “It became an important component of who they were, and how they participated in the world—and, probably most importantly, how they saw themselves in their everyday lives. As community members, as housewives, but also as people who produced something beautiful.”
"The Cape Ann Museum houses the largest collection of work by the Folly Cove Designers, a group of designer-craftsmen who worked together from 1938 to 1969. They produced carefully wrought designs cut into linoleum blocks and printed (primarily) on fabric. Their common interest was in producing solid designs and in good craftsmanship. The Museum's collection includes printed textiles and paper, items made from their fabrics, and examples of the linoleum blocks they carved."
A list, including a brief biography and images of designs by each designer. Worth exploring!
This article includes a group photo, taken in 1949, and a photo of an acorn press. It also includes this lovely summary of Burton's efforts: “She wanted people to have art in their daily lives, and she believed that people get something fundamental out of hard work,” says [Jennifer] Scanlon. “It became an important component of who they were, and how they participated in the world—and, probably most importantly, how they saw themselves in their everyday lives. As community members, as housewives, but also as people who produced something beautiful.”
I'd never heard of this before. Thanks for sharing.
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:09 PM on January 30 [1 favorite]
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:09 PM on January 30 [1 favorite]
This is fantastic. Ordered the book!
posted by JanetLand at 5:59 AM on January 31 [1 favorite]
posted by JanetLand at 5:59 AM on January 31 [1 favorite]
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