folkarts

Folk arts refer to traditional artistic practices that arise from a community's everyday life and cultural traditions. These practices are often carried out by self-taught or informally trained artists and are transmitted through families, guilds, and local networks rather than formal academic instruction. Folk arts typically reflect the history, beliefs, and social practices of a group and evolve through generations.

Common forms of folk arts include textiles, pottery, woodwork, metalwork, basketry, sculpture, and glass, as well as decorative arts such as embroidery and weaving. In addition, many communities preserve performance traditions, including puppetry, storytelling, ritual dance, and regional music. Objects produced in folk art often serve practical purposes while also bearing symbolic motifs and markers of local identity. Materials and techniques vary widely according to geography, climate, and resource availability.

The field emphasizes cultural continuity, community participation, and the use of locally available resources. The distinction between folk arts and fine arts is not absolute; folk arts are typically associated with non-professional or community-based production, though individual makers may gain recognition and professional opportunities through exhibitions and collections.

In contemporary contexts, folk arts survive and adapt through festivals, markets, archives, and educational programs. Internationally, organizations such as UNESCO and national arts agencies document and support living folk traditions as part of intangible cultural heritage. The term “folk art” is used in diverse languages and cultural contexts, reflecting a broad spectrum of traditional practices.