The MFA’s public collections search function, which is handled by an external vendor, is currently offline.
Led by beloved children's author Virginia Lee Burton, this group of mostly untrained women created immortal designs.
Virginia Lee Burton was an artist who lived from August 30,1909 – October 15, 1968. She and I share a birthday!Burton was widely known for her children’s books which include Mike Mullig…
Led by beloved children's author Virginia Lee Burton, this group of mostly untrained women created immortal designs.
This past weekend I made a major score when I encountered a long-sought item: a placemat depicting Chestnut Street in Salem made by Louise Kenyon of the Folly Cove Designers in the 1950s or early 1960s. Though it is in rather shabby condition, I snapped it right up, as I have long wanted a piece …
A midcentury artist guild based in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, the Folly Cove Designers produced captivating patterns that continue to inspire.
Led by beloved children's author Virginia Lee Burton, this group of mostly untrained women created immortal designs.
Folly Cove Designers
Today I have a field trip to share with you, and if you’re local to Gloucester, MA, you can even check it out for yourself! In October, I visited the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester to see the …
Polyphemus by Eino Natti:
The Little House is, far as I can see, one of the best books of all time. But who knew that Virginia Lee Burton was up to all this? More, here. Fabulous, what one can find on the internet.
Hand block printed in blue on cotton Folly Cove Designers textile entitled 'Head of the Cove' by Louise Kenyon, circa 1945, depicting landmarks and village, country life in Annisquam (Gloucester), Massachusetts. This textile was hand block printed onto cotton by Louise Kenyon and the Folly Cove Designers. The group was founded by Virginia Lee Burton, the celebrated children's book author and illustrator who wrote "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel", "The Little House", and "Mabel the Cable Car", among other classics, which have never gone out of print. Production of these textiles ceased in 1968 when Virginia Lee Burton died. This example has been archivally framed, invisibly sewn onto linen backing and framed with UV protected plexiglass.
Led by beloved children's author Virginia Lee Burton, this group of mostly untrained women created immortal designs.
Led by beloved children's author Virginia Lee Burton, this group of mostly untrained women created immortal designs.
Swing Tree I by Virginia Lee Burton Demetrios:
innovator Virginia Lee Burton Virginia Lee Burton was a children's book author and illustrator...
Today I have a field trip to share with you, and if you’re local to Gloucester, MA, you can even check it out for yourself! In October, I visited the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester to see the …
innovator Virginia Lee Burton Virginia Lee Burton was a children's book author and illustrator...
Gossips by Virginia Lee Burton Demetrios:
Today I have a field trip to share with you, and if you’re local to Gloucester, MA, you can even check it out for yourself! In October, I visited the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester to see the …
From Folly Cove by Julia Farwell Clay and Celtic Cable Shawls by Lucy Hague Today I’m looking at another couple of recently-published books, from two very different independent designers, who…
innovator Virginia Lee Burton Virginia Lee Burton was a children's book author and illustrator...
Led by beloved children's author Virginia Lee Burton, this group of mostly untrained women created immortal designs.
The inspiring story of Virginia Lee Burton Demetrios and the Folly Cove Designers and their pursuit of Community through creativity.
Haying by Eino Natti:
Today I have a field trip to share with you, and if you’re local to Gloucester, MA, you can even check it out for yourself! In October, I visited the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester to see the …
Led by beloved children's author Virginia Lee Burton, this group of mostly untrained women created immortal designs.
All of these prints were made using the Acorn Press. For more of the history of The Acorn Press, and The Folly Cove Designers click this highlighted text. Interview with Isabel Natti due at 9:0…
The inspiring story of Virginia Lee Burton Demetrios and the Folly Cove Designers and their pursuit of Community through creativity.
Last night, idly googling, I discovered the Folly Cove Designers, and their awe-inspiring lino block prints. This is just a small selection; more can be found at the Folly Cove Designers, and still more at the Sarah-Elizabeth Shop. The Folly Cove Designers started from a design course taught by Virginia Lee Burton, and were active from 1940 to 1969. Sarah Elizabeth Holloran was a member, and after the group disbanded she opened her shop. The site includes a great photo essay of the printing process. There's a Life Magazine article from 1958 here, which includes this photo in which everyone seems to be wearing something printed. (It does become an obsession...) And this is a print showing the printmaking process!
Rooster Parade by Eino Natti:
Today I have a field trip to share with you, and if you’re local to Gloucester, MA, you can even check it out for yourself! In October, I visited the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester to see the …
