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

Tigers and magpies are depicted together in a Korean folk art style called Hojakdo. —Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Jimenez made a piece of 4-foot-by-6-foot paper from pulp to create a giant piece of papel picado, its colors and patterns influenced by Mexican folk art sculptures, as well as three ceramic piñatas. —Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 23 Aug. 2025

Mexican Folk Art: Celebrate Mexican Independence Day and Hispanic Heritage Month by creating your own craft honoring Mexican folk art. —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025

Sizzling Summer Fest returns San Jose Jazz’s Summer Fest, running Friday through Sunday, will have a new look this year, with the installation of the Mexican folk art alebrijes in Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park. —Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025

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