Vaillancourt Folk Art - Christmas 2016

The 2016 Collection

Santa with Donkey VFA Nr. 16033, $698

9 MAIN STREET SUITE 1-H SUTTON, MA 01590 | 877-665-2244 | VALFA.COM

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As early as the late 1980s, Judi would introduce gold and silver as metallic paint.

The reflective nature of the paint was hidden by the protective varnish that is applied to each piece. This was perhaps most obvious in 2009 when Vaillancourt Folk Art introduced three 25th Anniversary Santas with silver and silver glitter, because one year later, Judi began to experiment with gold and silver leafing.

Today, we are pleased to introduce the Gold Coat St. Nick. This piece has its entire coat gold leafed and has intricate details painted within. He is holding a dark green bag with a teddy bear poking his head out and is holding a white bottle brush tree decorated with gold beads within his other hand.

Gold Coat St. Nick VFA Nr. 16039,

8.5” $200

a

Yellow Brocade Santa with Gold Swag VFA Nr.

14082, 8.5” $200

b

American Santa in Red & Gold VFA Nr. 16038,

A

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B

5.75” $190

Nürnberg “Rauschgoldengel” Santa VFA Nr.

16037, 10.75” $270

Nürnberg “Rauschgoldengel” Santa A variation of the limited edition exclusive made for those that participated in the 2014 European Christmas Markets River Cruise, this piece brings together two traditions: Santa and Rauschgoldengel—the most traditional ambassador of Christmas in Nuremberg Germany.

The soft gray eyes of Santa are brought to life as we see him holding the traditional Rauschgoldengel, which is gold leafed in the full elegance as seen in Germany. The Santa is dressed in a beautiful brown coat with gold elements adorning it. $270

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Angel with Candle For years, the symbol of the Angel has had a lot of meaning for collectors.

Whether it be the angel at the Nativity or the spirit looking after ourselves and loved ones, we’ve been pleased to offer a variety of Chalkware angels over the years.

For 2016, we’re happy to introduce the Angel with Candle. Introduced around the 17th century, Germans combined the tradition of the Yule Log with the trend of bringing evergreen trees into their homes during the winter months. The result was decorating the tree with candles, which was further practiced when the Moravians settled in

Woodland Santa with Gold Lantern VFA Nr. 16034,

13.75” $370

America and decorated their trees more elaborately in the early 19th Century.

Before the tradition of the Christmas tree, however, Scandinavian families celebrated Saint Lucy’s Day (called Sankta Lucia), a feast commemorating the 3rd-century martyr that brought food and aid to Christians in the catacombs, aided by a candle-lit wreath.

Regardless if we believe this piece to represent an angel from above, Saint Lucia protecting our loved ones, or the eternal representation of the spirit of Christmas—the 2016 Chalkware Angel with Candle is sure to bring joy to your homes.

Angel with Candle VFA Nr. 16036,

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4.75” $170

a

Small Ornament Delivery Santa VFA Nr. 15068,

4” $170

b

Candy Cane Santa with Gold Bag VFA Nr. 15051

6.5” $200

A B

C

Green Forest Coat Hunched Father Christmas VFA Nr. 15062,

7.25” $200

D

Black and Red Santa with Tree VFA Nr. 13083,

7.75” $180

E

C

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D

E

Small Father Christmas with Winter Hat VFA Nr.

15063, 4.5” $190

...In The Details In

the

1980s,

Chinese

manufactures were quick to ride the Americana movement by creating cheap knockoffs. Many notable folk artists of the time went out of business. It was that moment that Judi Vaillancourt decided that she may not be able to compete with price, but Chinese

factories

could

not

compete with American detail.

Since then, Vaillancourt Folk Art chalkware has been considered museum quality fine art... and the proof is in the details.

A

B

Over the years, there has been a consistent complaint among collectors: Which side should we show? While some people proudly display their pieces with mirrors behind them, there is no shame in displaying your pieces backwards—where some of the greatest details can be found.

A

Red Santa with Village Scene VFA Nr. 15061,

9.5” $230

B

Snowy Forest Father Christmas VFA Nr.

16035, 8” $210

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B

2017

Collector’s Weekend There comes a time in every collector’s life that they decide to make the pilgrimage to the home land. And many decide that Vaillancourt Folk Art’s annual Collector’s Weekend is the right time to do it. Join us as we celebrate our 27th Collector’s Weekend with lectures that will educate and inspire, exclusive product releases that are prioritized to those in attendance, feel the comradery during our annual Collector’s Dinner, and ignite your artistic flare by participating in one of the three Painting Workshops where you paint your own Santa under the guidance of a Vaillancourt artist!

Registration begins January 1st at

collectorsweekend.com

2016 Collector’s Weekend Collection

“Big Red with Sack” is the second of two Painting Workshop Santas for 2016. This large Santa is more traditional in design with his red coat and white fur. With subtle details on the Santa, the true surprise is the amount of details within his bag of gifts—the bag pays homage to the coat design of the 2014 Forest Santa with Pine Cones.

“Big White with Sack” is the first of two Painting Workshop Santas for 2016. The large Santa features a ton of details—from the red stripes and candy cane-like embellishments adorning the white coat and pants, through the sack full of toys for boys and girls. His bright eyes will certainly lighten any room.

The 2016 limited edition Collector’s Weekend Santa features an adorable 3.75” tall Santa dressed with a white coat adorned with brown fur.

His pants have red stripes and the embellishments on the coat offer an inspiration from peppermint candy canes. Limited to 150, this piece is a companion to the “Big White with Sack.”

Big Red with Sack

Big White with Sack

Collector’s Weekend Santa (#21)

VFA Nr. 16050,

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$200

COLLECTORSWEEKEND.COM

VFA Nr. 16051,

$200

VFA Nr. 16052,

$140

‘Twas The #ACK Before Christmas

Series, focuses on the replication of a South-Eastern view of Nantucket. Drawn by John Warner Barber in the book, Historical Collections, History and Antiquities of EVERY Town in Massachusetts, the SouthEastern view of Nantucket captures the very essence that has made Nantucket the charming sister island to Martha’s

GISELLE RIVERA-FLORES

Vineyard. Infusing the shore of the inner

Translating to the “far away land,” Nantucket

harbor on the robe of the Brant Point Santa

epitomizes the sense of naturalistic living

with the decorative Nantucket basket and

through its windswept beaches, blinking

redware plate, the collection’s purpose is

lighthouses and charming sand dunes.

delicately personified in this sixth piece.

There is no wonder why it’s a second

While other pieces in the collection add

home for New Englanders during the

a definitive seaport lifestyle like that seen

I

peak summer months. With a charm that

in the Nantucket Ship with Santa – the third piece of the Summer Beach Series,

transcends through the ages, Nantucket is the foundational inspiration for an

Introduced in 2008 at the Event Under the

portraying Santa on a sailboat while

array of artists like, Herman Melville who

Tent benefit for Nantucket’s early education

wearing appropriate flip flops.

embodies the richness of the waters and

school, Small Friends of Nantucket, the

the dominance of the whales in the seaport

collection was an instant success. The first

Merging a whimsical holiday filled with

town of Nantucket with a simple line from

batch of the collection sold out immediately,

Christmas spirit and décor with a nautical

Moby Dick, “Two thirds of this terraqueous

validating Judi Vaillancourt’s inevitable

theme has allowed the Nantucket Summer

globe are the Nantucketer’s. For the sea is

impression of the island.

Series to captivate an audience and create an impressionable sense of nostalgia

his; he owns it, as Emperors own empires.”

Each

piece

in

The

– urging collectors to grip the unique

With an abundance of historical detail,

Nantucket Collection, is held

presence of Christmas in Nantucket. For

Nantucket’s charm continues to be the

to the highest standards of

Nantucket enthusiasts, the appreciation

inspirational undertone in today’s works of

details, historical accuracy

of The Nantucket Collection and the

art. The historical details and passion for

and the fine tuning of the

Nantucket resonates with Judi Vaillancourt,

island’s

predominate

Artist and Co-owner of Vaillancourt Folk

seaport

culture.

Art, as she embraces the elements in The

The Brant Point

Nantucket Collection from Vaillancourt

Santa, the sixth

Chalkware. The beauty of Nantucket has

piece on the

consistently appealed to artists throughout

Nantucket

the history of the island and has been

S u m m e r

exquisitely captured time and time again

S a n t a

Nantucket Summer Santa Series, holds a deep connection to the roots of New England and add an invaluable tradition.

through a variation of brush strokes, sculptures, and fine details. Undoubtedly, The Nantucket Collection is a tangible piece of the island’s history.

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NANTUCKET SUMMER SERIES A Sailor’s Valentine Santa VFA Nr. 16022 $210 B America Yacht Santa VFA Nr. 15022 $190 C Original Nantucket Basket Santa VFA Nr. 2008-68 $180 D Nantucket Lightship Santa VFA Nr. 14086 $200 E Nantucket Basket Santa VFA Nr. 11094 $190 F Nested Nantucket Basket Santa VFA Nr. 12090 $190 G Brant Point Nantucket Santa VFA Nr. 13063 $210.00 H Nantucket Ship with Santa VFA Nr. 2010-29 $160 I Nantucket Nate VFA Nr. 16061 $180 NOT PICTURED: Nantucket Sleigh Ride VFA Nr. 2009-54 $180, Santa Figurehead On Nantucket Boat VFA Nr. 15023 $390

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B A

C G

F E

D NANTUCKETSANTA.COM

Annual Starlight Santa Retired on Christmas Day

In 1990, Vaillancourt Folk Art partnered with a children’s foundation—a non-profit organization dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. In 2013, Vaillancourt Folk Art decided to have donations go directly towards UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center (Worcester, MA) where money is used to directly help kids get through whatever treatment they are undergoing through the Child Life’s Artist In Residence Program.

For 2016, we’re pleased to introduce the American Santa in Chimney Starlight Santa. Painted with a cool color palate, this Americanized figure is depicted in process of going down the chimney to deliver toys to the home’s boys and girls.

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2016 American Starlight Santa in Chimney A

VFA Nr.

16030, 5.75” $180

STARLIGHTSANTA.COM

Santa with Candles in Tree VFA Nr.16031,

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7.75” $260

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Wintry Scene S. Claus VFA Nr. 16032,

9” $200

Glass Ornaments Mouth blown and hand painted in a small Polish studio where glass making has been a tradition for generations, Judi Vaillancourt’s Christmas ornaments are literal interpretations of her popular Chalkware figurines. The first to create a traditional matte finished holiday ornament, Judi’s line has grown to include “glitzy” ornaments that fit into the contemporary vision of Christmas ornaments.

A

Santa with Clear Sleigh VFA Nr. OR16404,

4.75” $55

Clear Reindeer VFA Nr. OR16405,

4.5” $35

A

Santa with Girl

B

VFA Nr. OR16402

5” $39

B

Midnight Sun VFA Nr. OR16400

Angel (clip) VFA Nr. OR16401,

3” $39

“Jingle Ball”

Angel

VFA Nr. OR16500,

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4” $30

VALFA.COM/ORNAMENTS

5.5” $37

Skinny Glimmer Santa VFA Nr. OR16403,

4.75” $30

“Jingle Ball”

Santa On Gold with Wreath VFA Nr.

OR16501, 4.5” $30

“Jingle Ball”

Santa with Bear VFA Nr.

OR16502, 4.5” $30

“Jingle Ball”

Pearlized Santa with Girl VFA Nr. OR16504,

4” $30

A Little “Swag” For Christmas When thinking of historic Christmas traditions, we often find ourselves transformed to the streets of Colonial Williamsburg during the holiday season. While it is true that these homes were decorated with fruit, flowers, wreaths, and leaves, it wasn’t until the Colonial Revival of the 1900s—in the eighteenth century it would be considered eccentric to decorate with fruit that would rot or be devoured by animals.

The practice, which started in Williamsburg in the 1930s, is thought to be inspired from two historic sources: the first is the fifteenth-century Italian sculptor, Luca della Robbia, whose glazed terracotta roundels were adorned with the symbolic leaves and fruit. The second, the Dutch-British sculptor, Grinling Gibbons, whose delicately decorated Baroque garlands can be seen at places like Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Both sources of inspiration had been adopted and adapted

by Colonial Williamsburg starting during the restoration period and has become a staple to Colonial decorations around the world today.

It is only fitting that when Judi began creating contemporary moulds with swag and wreaths that they started in a traditional Colonial color palette before being transformed into a familiar brocade series being embellished with gold leafing and metallic oils giving a true shimmer and glass-like feel.

This is no exception when it comes to the 2016 Brocade Santa with Gold Swag. Its delicate colors and luminance help to harness the works of della Robbia, Gibbons, and Colonial Williamsburg into an inspiring holiday Santa.

Yellow Brocade Santa with Gold Swag VFA Nr.

14082, 8.5” $200