Folk Art Events

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Folk Art Festival! - June 21 & 22, 2001

Collectors from across the country attended the Folk Art Festival held in York, PA on June 21 and 22. The Folk Art Festival was hosted by Pfaltzgraff, the oldest, family-owned, commercial pottery company in the United States.
"Planning for the Folk Art Festival began May 4th, 2000." stated Fran Polk, Media Relations at Pfaltzgraff. Invitations were mailed in April. Twenty-eight attended the first-ever Festival that Pfaltzgraff hosted for Pfaltzgraff pattern collectors. Plans are underway for next year's festival and suggestions/ ideas can be emailed to Fran at Fran.Polk@pfz.com.
Upon arrival, guests found a gift pack in their hotel room, which was filled with snack items that were all manufactured in York, along with two Folk Art mugs, an Anniversary plate and a coupon good for 30% off any item at the factory outlet.

Thursday, June 21

The festivities began on Thursday with a club luncheon where special hard-to-find Folk Art pieces were brought and put on display. After the luncheon an auction was held and members had a swap table where pieces were swapped or sold to other members.
Thursday evening's activities began with registration at the Yorktowne Hotel in downtown York, where guests were given a totebag filled with treasures, including the book, "America's Potter" signed by Louis J. Appell, Chairman of the Board of The Pfaltzgraff Company; a Folk Art memory book; a Folk Art name tag and a Folk Art pencil. Registration was followed by a bus ride to the historical Industrial Museum where a social hour began with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Dinner was served at 7:15 on Folk Art dinnerware. As a special treat, a commemorative Folk Art Festival 2001 crock, of which only 33 were produced, was part of each place setting and was a gift to the attendees. After dinner the history of Pfaltzgraff was presented by Louis J. Appell, the chairman of the board. He told us that he started working at the company at the age of 23 and was fired early in his Pfaltzgraff career by his father. Louis Appell, Sr., but came back later and took over running the company. Louis J. Appell also stated, "Pfaltzgraff is the oldest family-owned pottery company in the country." Pfaltzgraff began in the early 1800's and Mr. Appell is the 5th generation of his family running the company with the 6th generation sitting on the board.
David Walsh, Vice President Design and the designer of Folk Art, spoke next. Folk Art was Mr. Walsh's first pattern at The Pfaltzgraff Company. Some important dates to remember for the Folk Art collectors are June 12, 1979 (production development meeting), July 14, 1980 (introduced in Chicago), and July 16, 1980 (started production). The pattern was test marketed with another pattern that was yellow on yellow (dark yellow on light yellow). The two patterns came in dead even in the results but the company opted to go with the tan and blue. According to Mr. Walsh, they had a real challenge coming up with a method of applying the motif. Decals, hand stamping, dusting, stenciling were all tried before they hit on the pad printing method. All Folk Art gets stamped twice to give it the rich blue color.
Finally Mr. Walsh unveiled what we were all waiting to see, that special collector's piece, a replica of the bird he sculpted. It will be numbered and only 250 will be produced. All attendees were allowed to place their orders at that time for this very special collector's item.

Friday, June 22

Friday's activities began with a buffet breakfast at the Yorktown Hotel and a trip to the West York factory where each of the attendees were allowed to decorate and sign their own piece of Folk Art. Each attendee was given 4 plates to stamp with the bird motif and hand paint whatever they chose to on each plate. The reason for four was to allow for breakage so that each person would get at least one. Per Fran Polk the plates were fired June 26 and shipped June 29. As expected there was some breakage and Fran told me that those that had breakage got a replacement plate, either an Anniversary plate or one stamped with the bird motif.
Next the group toured the Thomasville Facility, another Pfaltzgraff factory. The factory tours really made me appreciate each of my pieces even more. I am amazed at the extensive process and great care involved in the creation of each piece of stoneware.
The group had a buffet lunch and settled down for the afternoon's festivities at the Yorktowne Hotel in downtown York. Lots of fun, prizes and surprises included drawings for more Folk Art pieces and lots of giveaways. The very first drawing was for the American Originals quilt, won by Candy Martin. Some Folk Art decorating ideas were presented, one of which was a beautiful wreath using various Folk Art cups/mugs. Barbara Romero was the lucky winner of the wreath drawing. Nancy Yantz won the drawing for a soup tureen and Elaine Bauer the drawing of a two-tier tray.
The afternoon was fun-filled with such things as decorating a cup cake that was baked in a Folk Art cup and tasting and voting on a best recipe, where the voters were bribed with a signed plate by David Walsh and a Folk Art cookie cutter. Other goodies that were acquired during the afternoon's festivities were a mousepad with Folk Art pictured on it, Folk Art pencils, mini Folk Art totes filled with candy and a year's membership to the Pfaltzgraff collector's club that will give special privileges to members. The afternoon program ended with a sneak preview of the "By Request" items that will be offered in August. The items are a turkey platter decorated with a turkey motif, a two-tier plate, soup tureen, super soup/cereal bowl, placemats/napkins set and an 11" plate. A preview of next year's "By Request" was also presented but the audience was told that some of the items shown could be dropped and others added. Possible items were a scoop set, mixing bowls, tin light, napkin holder (new style), soup lover's mug, ovoid crock, rectangular baker and a buffet plate (square shaped).
The farewell social began at 4:00 pm to wind down the day's activities and everyone said their goodbyes.
Some of the FAN members got together one for last time after the farewell social where a caravan motored to Lancaster to the factory store to make some last-chance purchases (yes, they had Folk Art). We then had dinner down the street and could not stop talking about the event. There was not one negative comment but a lot of ranting and raving about the Pfaltzgraff people and the treasures we were taking home.

2002 Folk Art Get Together - May 25, 2002 -

(as article appeared in the July 2002 FAN Newsletter)

More memories were made and friendships were cultivated May 25th at the Folk Art Get-Together, hosted by Sandy Anderson in her home at Edwards, MO. Donna Grove traveled the furthest from York, PA, followed by Lorri Crawford from New Boston, TX and Marsha Zesserman from Beavercreek, OH.
Folk Art has been instrumental in developing a strong bond between these women over the years. Four of the eight ladies also attended the Folk Art Festival held in York, PA in 2001. Many have said, "Our dishes are more than just dishes, they represent the friends we have made with other Folk Art enthusiasts. I would have lost interest a long time ago if not for the network of FAN members. They are a constant source of inspiration."
Plans for a FAN Get-together started several months ago with a email from Sherry Mihalovich suggesting we try to have a FAN get together. Because we had such a grand time at the Pfaltzgraff event, I was all for it if we could get a group together. Since FAN had not formerly gathered as a group before at anybody's house, I did not know if there would be enough interest, nor did I know if many would be willing to come to my house. By most standards, I am located "in the sticks." I have no four-lane highways coming to my house and there are lots of hills to travel to get here. I am pretty centrally located so geographically it was a good place to have such an event for starters.
Everyone arrived in the area on Friday and by Friday evening everyone had visited the Osage Beach factory outlet to pick up their Folk Art orders. Special thanks to Andrea McGowin, Store Manager, and Cathy Bollinger for accomodating FAN by letting us order and pickup our Folk Art at the store.
Attendees were greeted by a Folk Art Welcome Sign in Sandy's driveway. Everyone came well prepared with painted birdhouses in hand and the needed supplies to finish them. The broken Folk Art was already broken into the needed sizes, saving a lot of time. The gluing and chit chatting began at 9:00 am. By lunch time, some were finished with gluing on their tiles and were ready for the grouting step. We broke for a lunch of calzones, chips, decorated Folk Art cookies, decorated Folk Art cake and ice cream. After lunch it was back to the grindstone and everyone had finished their birdhouse by mid-afternoon. No two looked alike and each and everyone was a work of art.
Next on the agenda was judging the entries for the "Design Your Own Piece of Folk Art" contest. First Place went to Terri McFarren for her Spice Rack entry. Her entry is being presented to Cathy Bollinger at Pfaltzgraff, who is in charge of all the By Request patterns, including Folk Art, in hopes that this will be produced sometime in the future. For Terri's efforts, she received a very special totebag signed and dated by David Walsh. She also received a Folk Art bookmark handmade by Donna's daughter, Folk Art cookies brought by Sherry and a FAN magnet made by Sandy. Honorable Mention went to Sherry Mihalovich for her Folk Art Quilt entry.
Other entries included: Texas-sized Muffin Pan, Fluted Pottery Vase, Toaster Oven Casserole Dish, Wrought Iron Plate Rack, Perpetual Calendar, Candle Snuffer, Happy Mother's Day Vase, Personalized Salt Crock, Christmas Ornaments, Plastic Containers, Dry Erase Memo Trivet, Basket Crock and Copper Backsplash, which I might add, Lorri's husband actually made and it was just gorgeous!
The day was still not over... Now it was time for the surprises! Janis gave everyone a scoop holder. In addition to bringing the beautifully decorated Folk Art cookies, Sherry stenciled the cutest baskets, and presented one for each attendee in a Folk Art decorated gift bag. Sandy wrapped different handmade Folk Art items in brown paper and stamped the bird on each. Each attendee got a "grab gift" of such items as embroidered bird quilt squares, cutting board, recipe box, notecards, etched mirror, suncatcher, and wreath. Everyone also took home a Folk Art magnet and apron.
Next the wheeling and dealing began. There was a table set up of Folk Art items, both handmade and Pfaltzgraff made. The attendees brought pieces and were able to buy or trade items with each other. Everyone found something they just had to have.
The day ended with group pictures. Everyone said their goodbyes, leaving with their birdhouses and other treasures from the day. New friendships were made and old ones renewed.
This year's event is just a memory now but it's already time to start thinking about the next get-together.....Do you want to come to Missouri again? Do you want to have it somewhere else and if so, where? Any volunteers? Write or email me your suggestions.
I asked the attendees if they might write a paragragh if they have a story to share. Here is what Candy wrote:
What a great time we had at this gathering! Sandy was so organized and prepared! She even went the extra mile with her wonderful surprises! Who else would have thought of an apron for each of the attendees!! It was so nice to see old friends and meet the new ones in person! The birdhouse project went very smooth, and we all had fun learning how to make them. The magnets on the refrigerator that Sandy made for us were a cute touch----course one of the attendees (won't mention any names) tried to pass off one of the Folk Art pottery magnets as a very nice gift, which Sandy was quick to correct. (LOL) The conversation and stories were a lot of fun-just wish we had taped Lorri relating her opinion of the Missouri highway system as compared to the Texas highways-what a riot!!! Another successful FA gathering to add to our memory book!!!

Pfaltzgraff "Connections" Event Attended By FAN Members -

By Sharon Brown (As appeared in October FAN Newsletter)

I arrived in York, PA full of anticipation about finally meeting some of the other FAN members face to face-not to mention the pre-sale that Pfaltzgraff was allowing us to enter the night before.
When I arrived at the hotel there was a message from Rose, letting me know she'd meet me around 4 pm at the Fairgrounds. I
unpacked and left for the Fair Grounds to get my Connections package and to meet Rose. Within a few minutes Julie arrived and told us about her find at the York store where she had gotten the cupboards, one for her and one for her mother. It was only 4 pm, so Rose and I decided that we would take a quick run over to the York Store since they wouldn't be letting us into the sale until 5 pm sharp.
We got the to York store, but there wasn't a lot of the Connections items available, so we purchased a few items and realized if we didn't hurry, we wouldn't be back at the fairgrounds in time for the 5 pm opening. Our real concern was Terri and Tammy. You know Terri had been talking about fainting while Tammy grabbed the loot! It was imperative that we get back to the fairgrounds BEFORE 5 pm.
We got back just in the nick of time. I still don't know who had taken baskets up to the front for us, but thank you whoever it was! I gave a quick hug to Terri, Donna, and Tammy and then we were allowed in. Rose and I went in with a game plan, to fill the baskets and we'd sort it all out later.
When they let us in, we weren't disappointed, they had the round
casseroles (without the lids), rectangular bakers, ovoid crocks, small and large scoops, sundae servers, latte mugs, small, medium, large mixing bowls, milk pitchers and a few of the turkey platters. Rose and I stayed true to our game plan and in a very short time our baskets were overflowing with Folk Art.
In the mean time they were giving out door prizes and Rose won
the covenanted quilt while I won the lunch with Marsha Everton the
president of Pfaltzgraff, and Jim Smekal, the V.P. of Merchandising.
Terri's mother won the reproduction crock. So, all in all the FAN members won a lot of the door prizes.
I had the opportunity to meet Tammy, Rose, Julie, Joyce from Carolina, Christy, Terri, Terri's mother, Pat, and Donna Grove, our Pfaltzgraff Rep. and fellow FAN member. I can't stress enough how wonderful these ladies are. Those of us who could go out to dinner did so and had a GREAT time together.
The next morning we were back at it anxiously awaiting the opening of the Connections event at 9 am. I have to tell you that Cathy Bollinger our Connections/ By Request representative is fantastic! She has bent over backwards to accommodate us. I personally think that we are very lucky that she is in charge of the Connections/By Request program as she really listens to us and tries to make our wish lists a reality.
We had the opportunity to see and purchase ALL of the Connections items. At 11:00 am David Walsh the designer of Folk Art and Tea Rose arrived at the event. Poor man, we rushed him like well, what we are-groupies! There were two other Pfaltzgraff employees standing with David and they just sort of stepped back amazed. David Walsh was very nice and took the time to sign the items we had brought to him. I loved his accent and his dry sense of humor. Although, Terri tried to
work a deal with him by having him charge me $100.00 for each signature and they would split it! You really have to keep an eye on Terri (wink wink)!
I had to leave early because I had to be back at the hotel for my lunch with Marsha Everton and Jim Smekal. Wow, what nice and down to earth people they are! I told them what a wonderful job Cathy Bollinger was doing for us with our By Request/Connections program. Our lunch together was a lot of fun and they really do CARE what we want. I left the lunch and York, PA thinking that I had in fact won the BEST door prize of them all.
I will close by saying that I do agree, we all need to have a FAN meeting at the next Tent Sale because we had a BLAST and it would only be better with ALL of us there!

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Folk Art Get Together June 4, 2005

On June 4, 2005, a group of Pfaltzgraff collectors gathered at my home in Randolph, Maine for an afternoon of fun and lively conversation about our common obsession…Pfaltzgraff dishes of several different patterns. Tammy and Teresa came up from Massachusetts and had a little problem with the directions, but found us in the end. Lynne came from New Hampshire and Julie, a fellow Mainer, had the shortest trip since she lives only 30 miles or so from me. Teresa and Julie brought some of their rare items for “show and tell” including a weeping flower coffee server, short crock, wheat tray, hot and mild salsa pots, flower gadget crock, and commemorative statuette.

The conversation never let up and it felt like we had all known each other for years, even though most of us were meeting “in person” for the first time. Though most of us collect Folk Art, America and Village were also well represented. We all oooo’ed and ahhhhh’ed over the different pieces that were there, including a gorgeous quilt that Lynne’s husband had found for her. We spread it out on my bed to take a picture of it and I secretly hoped Lynne might forget to take it home! Well, maybe it wasn’t so secretly!

We had lunch served, of course, on Folk Art with a few America pieces thrown in for good measure. I got a cake that I had them put a picture of Ivory Black on. It looked so nice I almost didn’t want to cut into it but my dear husband and son didn’t have any hesitation. I had also baked cookies using the copper cookie cutter that I got from Sandy, shaped like a Folk Art bird. My son insisted that they looked more like dolphins than birds, but he didn’t seem to mind how they tasted!

After lunch we retired to the basement where I had a “yard sale” table set up and everyone had a chance to look over some of the items that I had earmarked for eBay. Everyone picked up a thing or two (or three). It’s always great to avoid those shipping charges!

We did a craft project, making game boards from wood that my husband had prepared for us. I had painted the background colors and everyone got to stencil and sponge the designs on their own board. They came out great and everyone had ideas as to how they would add to them when they got home.

We ended the day sitting around the table looking at old Pfaltzgraff, Folk Art and America newsletters and the old By Request catalogues, talking about the old prices and dreaming up wish lists for the future. I was sad to see everyone leave but will have great memories of the day. We need to have more such events in every corner of the country!

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Another Gathering in Maine, November 2005

On November 5, 2005, FACC membership chairperson Julie Roy-St. Hilaire held a gathering for Pfaltzgraff collectors from around New England at her new home in Maine. Attending were Lynne Doucette, Tammy Whitelaw, Teresa Strawn and Eilen Fitzpatrick along with Jule and her two little ones, Lexy and Jonathan. Once again, the company was outstanding and the conversation immediately went to our favorite subject; All things PFALTZGRAFF!!!

Julie had prepared TONS of food, my personal favorite being a wonderful Kielbasa dish that she prepared in her slow cooker. We al admired her wonderful Folk Art collection and Tammy got really "hands on" with it by totally rearranging Julie's hutch. Julie presented us with Christmas plaques that had been hand painted by Christine Adamatz that were just wonderful, and Lynne had some gifts for us from Salmon Falls Pottery in Dover, New Hampshire.

After a lively afternoon we were all getting ready to head home and started packing up our cars. To our delight, we went outside to find a colorful hot air balloon passing low over Julie's neighborhood. It was a nice way to end what was a truly pleasant day. We promised to get together again soon and all hoped that one day there could be a notional FACC convention for all to attend.

More photos from June 4, 2005 Event

June 4, 2005 event