What is an RSVP Folk Art Fair?

An RSVP Folk Art Fair is a daylong intergenerational event at a school.  Young and old are brought together to share and learn from one another.  Usually, the fairs are held in a school gymnasium.  Tables are set up along the perimeter of the gym.  Volunteer presenters place examples of their particular craft, skill, hobby, or art on the tables.  Groups of students of 50 to 125 come in for about one hour to look at the demonstrations and to ask questions.  Children can sometimes try their hand at a craft or instrument and/or complete a sample to take home. 

For the first fifteen minutes of the fair, the children enjoy musical entertainment and/or a story.  During the remaining time, they enjoy the exhibits and visit with the Folk Art Fair presenters.

What arts or crafts are presented? 

Among the many arts and crafts presented at Folk Arts Fairs are: 

- Bird and Wood Carving              

- Chair Caning                      

- Quilt Tying

- Butter Churning                                   

- Puzzles and Gadgets                                    

- Corn Husk Craft

- Wood Inventions                                 

- Heddle Loom Beadware                     

- Antique Toys                            

- Spinning Wheel.

What is the purpose of an RSVP Folk Art Fair?

• To preserve our country's cultural and ethnic heritage
• To join together people of all ages to reveal and revive arts, crafts, hobbies, and skills
• To continue to help break down stereotypes children may have of seniors and vice versa
• To share in the wealth of personal "know-how" seniors possess, helping to insure that valuable and interesting arts and crafts are not lost to future generations
  

Who can host a fair?

Any Dane County public or private school may host a fair.  Twelve fairs are presented each year, six in the fall and six in the spring.  A three-year waiting list of requests exists.

For information on becoming an RSVP Folk Art Fair volunteer, or to host a fair, please contact Diane Szymanski, Folk Art Fair Coordinator, at 608 441-7894. Or, fill out the online request form which you will find here.