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WHAT
ARE FOLK ARTS ?
What
are folk arts – often the first thing that usually comes to mind is
"crafts" - home made items that sometimes can be bought at gift
shops. This description is partially correct. However, we should not stop
here. Because folk art is more than a handiwork, acquired in gift shops.
Folk
art is life itself!
Our
life is made up of shared traditions that are called "culture"
by most people. These traditions are ways that we express ourselves within
a community that has a common root and common understandings.
These
shared expressions may take the form of music, religion, food, drama,
handicrafts, plays, etc. They are learned through informal instructors who
are living in our community, or through our relatives, passed down from
generation to generation.
Thus,
our traditional art works are family/community-based. They reflect our
social structure and therefore they are seen as a foundation that holds
our community together.
Folklife Program for New Jersey is a
project of the Middlesex County Cultural & Heritage Commission. Its mission
is to endorse and encourage our communities to identify unique artistic
talents preserved and practiced by our residents.
The
program presents these important artworks within our communities
and the general public.
By so doing, we celebrate and share the diversity
of our cultural society and encourage cross-cultural exchanges.
Our programs are designed to address public's needs. To that end,
we utilize facilities that are accessible
to people with disabilities.
Our publications are available in LARGE PRINT and Braille. On-site
interpreters are also provided. All of our programs are free of
charge.
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Folk
Arts Are
Basket
making
Batik
Bead work
Body adornment
(e.g. hair braiding, styling)
Crochet work
Dance
Music
Natural healing
Embroidery
Instrument
making
Quilt making
Natural dyeing
Cooking
Kite making
Gardening
Flower
arrangement
Jewelry making/designing
Clothes making
Wood working
Paper-cutting
Doll making
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