By JANE AND JACOB ZOOK
_Pennsylvania Dutch Craftsmen, Writers and Decorators._
Hex Signs and Distelfinks, Tulips and Cut Tomatoes, those marvelous
motifs of Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Art, form a part of our American
cultural background which is second to none as a true folk art. In
America there is no equal to this gay, colorful and bold art form of the
early settlers of southeast Pennsylvania. The reading and learning of
the “whys and ways” of this unique form of art can give not only the
satisfaction of knowing, but also of doing, as its simplicity of design
and frankness of execution inspires those who are untutored to attempt
to create.
As Pennsylvania Dutchmen and craftsmen may we invite you all to join us
in sharing this heritage of ours which is compounded of “fun and fancy”
and diligent work. Paint our hex signs and distelfinks on your barns and
kitchen cupboards; work the designs into your needle point and rugs; and
decorate your furniture with hearts and tulips. Let our folk art inspire
you to create useful household objects of clay and wood and adorn them
with a gay splash of color and a whimsical motif.
We like to feel that the spirit of the Folk Artist did not die out
entirely around 1850, as the historians claim, but a tiny spark survives
to inspire present day craftsmen. A friend of ours makes beautiful
pottery inspired by our early sgraffito dishes and utensils; another
cross stitches the “birds and deers” from old samplers onto present day
placemats; we paint fruit and flowers on chairs and chests; and all of
us are greatly influenced by this marvelous source of design. There’s a
Hex Sign Painter around these parts who will do a “rain sign” for you.
He did one last summer for a Texan’s barn. Hoping for rain the Texan
hung the sign and the next day “the rains came”—so they tell me. So why
not let our love of color and a little of our superstition take hold of
you, and if you have the patience and diligence of a Pennsylvania
Dutchman, get to work and have fun.
Frances Lichten’s wonderful book “Folk Art of Rural Pennsylvania” should
be read by anyone who is interested in the source, the nature and the
form of this art; and, for the more serious student, John Joseph
Stoudt’s beautifully written volume, “Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Art,” will
help explain the mystical significance of the design motifs.
Folk Art as such no longer exists in our land, as a true folk art is
only found in a homogeneous culture. But a definite trend towards
craftsmanship does exist, and too, a definite stirring of pride in
producing beautiful and useful things with one’s own hands.
Goot Gluck.