Trailblazing Women Printmakers: Virginia Lee Burton Demetrios and the Folly Cove Designers [Hardcover]

A visual history of the Folly Cove Designers (1941-1969)—one of America’s longest-running block printing collectives.

The Folly Cove Designers (officially 1941-1969) was a grassroots collective of predominantly women block printers founded by Caldecott Award-winner and beloved children’s book author/illustrator Virginia Lee Burton Demetrios (ofMike Mulligan and His Steam Shovelfame).

This trailblazing Gloucester, MA–based group produced more than three hundred distinct designs, which they block printed on fabric. The designs conveyed personal and regional narratives through the use of shared design principles and the compelling language of pattern. The group was propelled to international fame through commercial contracts with major retailers (F. Schumacher, Lord & Taylor, etc.), articles in leading periodicals such asLife, and participation in seminal fine craft exhibitions. Their work continues to inspire contemporary printmakers around the globe, particularly women printmakers.

As the first comprehensive history of the Folly Cove Designers,Trailblazing Women Printmakersdocuments and celebrates the group’s tremendous success and the incredible artistry of its members. With more than 250 black-and-white and color photographs, author Elena M. Sarni explores the Folly Cove Designers' history, work, and group dynamics.

Elena M. Sarni is a humanities-based scholar, writer, and curator. She holds a BA in English and an MA in History and Museum Studies from the University of New Hampshire. She lives in Maine with her beloved cat Leland.“This first-ever history of these brilliant women will be critical for lovers of ornament, printmaking, mid-century modern design, women’s art history, WPA-era craft, and art pedagogy alike.”

HYPERALLERGIC /?Best Arlc)