Kansas Folk Art Traditions
Kansas has a rich and diverse folk art heritage. Within the state, artists continue to practice art forms that are passed on from parent to child, worker to work, and neighbor to neighbor. Knowledge is taught by word of mouth or by example. Kansas folk arts are traditional in that they are part of an unbroken thread that can be traced back through time. No set time period is necessary, however, for a particular behavior to become part of the folklore. Instead, an art form must have existed long enough to enable variations to develop. Once something is "in tradition" it no longer exists in a standardized form. Instead local variants can be found.
Folk art is community bound, tied to groups or communities. Ethnic, religious, occupational, and familial are but a few of the communities in which people maintain memberships. To provide continuity in people's lives, some communities extend over time and distance thereby creating a traditional culture. The folk arts of a group have been selected and supported by a number of people within the community. A folk art is the product of a series of choices made by individuals, which in turn have been accepted by the group. folk culture therefore represents the sum total of a community's choices, linking the present to the past.
Traditions is a series of brochures that focus on the folk arts of Kansas. The series was published in 1993 by the Kansas Historical Society in conjunction with the Kansas Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program. The Apprenticeship Program was cosponsored by the Kansas Arts Commission, with partial funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
- African American Gospel
- Blacksmithing
- Cherokee Basketmaking
- Czech Egg Decorating
- Food Preservation
- Hammered Dulcimer
- Native American Beadwork
- Piñata
- Quilting
- Swedish Ljuskrona
These participants were involved in the past in the Kansas Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program.
| Apprentice | Master Artist | Art Form |
| 1995 Apprenticeship Program | ||
| Richard Barnhill, Wichita | Kepka Belton, Ellsworth | Czech Kraslice |
| Coni Jo Bates, Manhattan | Grace Goff, Manhattan | Tatting |
| Leona P. Berry, Hoisington | Grace Goff, Manhattan | Tatting |
| Carl W. Boehning, Belton, Missouri | Lilah Gillett, Overland Park | Hammered Dulcimer |
| Eleanor L. Burenheide, Emporia | Helen Ericson, Emporia | Quilt Making |
| Judy Cochran, Atwood | Kekpa Belton, Ellsworth | Czech Kraslice |
| Wilbur Coffee, Manhattan | Glen Lojka, Manhattan | Woodcarving |
| Teresa Cuevas, Topeka | Laura Garcia Kilpatrick, Santa Cruz, California | Mariachi |
| LeAnne L. Doyle, Clearwater | Beth Walker, Lindsborg | Weaving |
| Virginia V. Geis, Circleville | Joan Russell, Merriam | Rug Braiding |
| Thomas L. Goering, Topeka | George Olstead, Lawrence | String Instrument Building |
| Hope Goodman, Manhattan | Margaret "Redfern" Pitzer, Wichita | Cherokee Basket Making |
| Marnette Hatchett, Newton | Marilyn Jones, Peabody | Spinning |
| Nancy and Jennifer Haywood, Lenexa | Lilah Gilett, Overland Park | Hammered Dulcimer |
| Duane Higgins, Manhattan | Glen Lojka, Manhattan | Woodcarving |
| Doris Johnson, Luray | Sonia Domsch, Atwood | Bobbin Lace Making |
| Marilyn Bushuyhead Kindsvatter, Wichita | Margaret "Redfern" Pitzer, Wichita | Cherokee Basket Making |
| Staci Martin, Hoxie | Doren Spillman, Hoxie | Woodcarving |
| Beth McMillen, Canton | Helen Ericson, Emporia | Quilt Making |
| Kay E. Meadows, Topeka | Kathy LeFevre, Fort Riley | Spinning |
| Y'Vonne A. O'Dea, Ottawa | Enola Gish, Baldwin City | Quilt Making |
| Lauren Penland, St. George | Marie Burgett, Junction City | Weaving |
| Evonne Pennington, Kansas City | Bobbie M. Sharpe, Kansas City | African Tie Dye |
| Caroline Peterson, Ludell | Enola Gish, Baldwin City | Quilt Making |
| Eleanor Platt, Belle Plaine | LaVerne Bedwell, Wellington | Rug Hooking |
| Georgia Roberts, Kansas City | Joan Russell, Merriam | Rug Braiding |
| Ronna M. Robertson, Sue Dary, and Annie Wheatley, Lawrence | Sonia Domsch, Atwood | Bobbin Lace Making |
| Thomas M. Rundle, Lawrence | U.S. Wood, Logan | Square Dance Calling |
| Leona Smith, Gypsum | Lilah Gillett, Overland Park | Hammered Dulcimer |
| Jenie M. Stewart, Topeka | LaVerne Bedwell, Wellington | Rug Hooking |
| Strawberry Hill Folk Ensemble, Kansas City | Cheryl Sostarich, Tonganoxie | Croatian Folk Dance |
| Jean Wren, Valley Center | Joan Russell, Merriam | Rug Braiding |
| 1986 Apprenticeship Program | ||
| Buddy Bates, Augusta | Margaret "Redfern" Pitzer | Cherokee Basket Making |
| Teresa Binder, Emporia | Helen Ericson, Emporia | Quilt Making |
| Kay Ellen Burger, Manhattan | Grace Goff, Manhattan | Tatting |
| Marlyn Clotfelter, Gridley | Bill Gomer, Leavenworth | Saddle Making |
| Judy L. Cochran, Atwood | Kepka Belton, Ellsworth | Czech Kraslice |
| Matthew J. Cuevas, Topeka | Teresa Cuevas, Topeka | Mariachi |
| Paula Darby, Washington | Kepka Belton, Ellsworth | Czech Kraslice |
| Thomas L. Goering, Topeka | George Olstead, Lawrence | String Instrument Building |
| Gwendolyn G. Herman, Wichita | Marilyn Bushyhead Kindsvatter, Wichita | Quill Work |
| Helen J. Herrington, Wellington | LaVerne Bedwell, Wellington | Rug Hooking |
| Ike and Nancy La Joie, Mission | Lilah Gillett, Overland Park | Hammered Dulcimer |
| Ann Neff Lippert, Chanute | Marilyn Jones, Peabody | Spinning |
| Staci Martin, Hoxie | Doren Spillman, Hoxie | Woodcarving |
| Pattie Jan Mersmann, Lawrence | Enola Gish, Baldwin City | Quilt Making |
| Julie Strauss, Leonardville | Marie Burgett, Junction City | Weaving |
| Strawberry Hill Folk Ensemble, Kansas City | Michael L. Vezilich, Lawrence | Croatian Folk Dance |
| Ida M. Weltha, Emporia | Helen Ericson, Emporia | Quilt Making |
| Lois A. Wright, Chapman | Kathy LeFevre, Fort Riley | Spinning |
| 1987 Apprenticeship Program | ||
| Richard Barnhill, Wichita | Kepka Belton, Ellsworth | Czech Kraslice |
| Jody J. Britt, Salina | Grace Goff, Manhattan | Tatting |
| Sharon S. Cook, Emporia | Helen Ericson, Emporia | Quilt Making |
| Mariachi Estrella, Topeka | Jesus Magallanes, San Antonio, Texas | Mariachi |
| Becky Furman, Wichita | Betty Nixon, Wichita | Kiowa Buckskin and Beadwork |
| Dia Her, Phoua Her, Sae Her, Zang Her, Ah Vang, and Ying Vang, Kansas City | May Thao, May Her Thao, Shoua Xiong, Kansas City | Paj Ntaub |
| Marlysue Holmquist, Smolan | Malcolm Esping, Lindsborg | Swedish Crown Making |
| Joy Johnson James, Manhattan | Frances M. Walter, Manhattan | Rag Rug Making |
| Eulalia Belen Martinez, Topeka | Teresa Cuevas, Topeka | Mariachi |
| Robert Meseke, Alma | James Holenbeck, Manhattan | Saddle Making |
| Arnold Miller, Circleville | Bill Gomer, Leavenworth | Saddle Making |
| Larry Rutter, Meriden | Arthur M. Sayler, Albert | Post Rock Cutting |
| Karen M. Sim, Manhattan | Grace Goff, Manhattan | Tatting |
| John C. Steeples, Zurich | Marvin D. Berg, Glen Elder | Saddle Making |
| Helen Storbeck, Winfield | Enola Gish, Baldwin City | Quilt Making |
| 1988 Apprenticeship Program | ||
| Carol Adams, Ulysses | Sonia Domsch, Atwood | Bobbin Lace Making |
| Lisa Ann Aitkens, Horton | Mary M. Wamego, Horton | Kickapoo Ribbon Work |
| Cecille H. Benson, Manhattan | Grace Goff, Manhattan | Tatting |
| Craig Birrell, Topeka | Will Orvedal, Lecompton | Chair Making |
| Mardel J. Esping, Lindsborg | Malcolm Esping, Lindsborg | Swedish Crown Making |
| Ed Grisnik, Frank Kovich, Emil Mufich, Frank Nadvornik, Andy Rezin, Bill Rezin, Jim Skorija, and John Soptick, Kansas City | Don Lipovac, Kansas City | Button Box Accordion |
| Jimmy Harper, Lawrence | Bill Gomer, Leavenworth | Saddle Making |
| Dia Her, Mao K. Her, Song Her, May Vang Xiong, and Phoua Xiong, Kansas City | May Thao, May Her Thao, and Shoua Xiong, Kansas City | Paj Ntaub |
| Doris Johnson, Luray | Sona Domsch, Atwood | Bobbin Lace Making |
| Kathy Kastle, Phillipsburg | Judy Cochran, Atwood | Czech Kraslice |
| Judy Lutt, Strong City | Marilyn Jones, Peabody | Shepherd Arts |
| Jim Malm, McPherson | Norman Malm, McPherson | Woodcarving |
| Floyd J. Olson, Carbondal | James Bevan, Valley Falls | Blacksmithing |
| Esther Walters, Wichita | Edie Youts, Wichita | American Indian Beadwork |
| Elaine Yowell, Manhattan | Grace Goff, Manhattan | Tatting |
| 1989 Apprenticeship Program | ||
| Sharon S. Cook, Emporia | Helen Ericson, Emporia | Quilt Making |
| Cornelius W. Cross, Manhattan | James B. Boyer, Manhattan | Gospel Music |
| Steve Culver, Mayetta | James Bevan, Valley Falls | Blacksmithing |
| Kelley J. Curtiss, Topeka | Steven Mason, Lawrence | Musical Instrument Restoration |
| Mardel J. Esping, Lindsborg | Malcolm O. Esping, Lindsborg | Swedish Crown Making |
| W. Lee Fouts, Auburn | Bill Gomer, Leavenworth | Saddle Making |
| Teresa A. Holenbeck, Manhattan | Jim L. Holenbeck, Manhattan | Saddle Making |
| Robert Logan, Garnett | Sylvia Sutton, Greeley | Food Preservation |
| Landvis E. Nelson, Lindsborg | Merdel Esping & Irene Shogren, Lindsborg | Swedish Ljuskrona |
| Thoummy Phrakornkham, Winfield | Mai Phrakornkham, Winfield | Lao Weaving |
| Maria Elena Robles, Garden City | Tania L. de Alcala, Garden City | Mexican Piñata |
| John Soptick, Overland Park | Don Lipovac, Kansas City | Button Box Accordion |
| Shirlene Wedd, Holton | Mercedes Waller, Seneca | Quilt Making |
| M. Donald Weddle, Dean Anderson, & Mark Esping, Lindsborg | Hugo Shogren, Lindsborg | Storytelling |
| Charlene M. Weigel, Great Bend | Kepka Belton, Ellsworth | Czech Kraslice |
| 1990 Apprenticeship Program | ||
| Lisa Ann Aitkens, Horton | Mary Wamego, Horton | Potawatomi Ribbon Work |
| Darlene Barr, Cottonwood Falls | Helen Ericson, Emporia | Quilt Making |
| Joseph Cuevas, Topeka | Teresa Cuevas, Topeka | Mariachi |
| Raul Lee DelGado, Topeka | Teresa Cuevas, Topeka | Mariachi |
| Joy Everhart, Rosalee Neywick, Ellen Ferguson, Mrs. Royer Barclay, Margaret Vann, Lindsborg | Irene Shogren & Mardel Esping, Lindsborg | Swedish Ljuskrona |
| Nancy S. Gillock, Deerfield | Florena Heili, Garden City | Quilt Making |
| James Holmes, Lawrence | Carolyn Hammon, Gardner | Boot Making |
| Deanna S. Howard, Manhattan | Mercedes Waller, Seneca | Quilt Making |
| Patricia Hussey, Paula Fletcher, Kendrah Tyler, Juanita Jones, Kansas City | Georgia Patton, Kansas City | Food Preservation |
| Simon Gerard Martinez, Topeka | Jere Herring, Topeka | Mariachi |
| Eleanor G. Platt, Belle Plaine | LaVerne Bedwell, Wellington | Rug Hooking |
| Ted Palmquist, Malcolm Esping, Don Weddle, Dean Anderson, Mark Esping, Lindsborg | Hugo Shogren, Lindsborg | Storytelling |
| Dotie Ruby, The Polka Choir, Kansas City | Ed Grisnik, Kansas City | Croatian Music |
| John C. Steeples, Palco | Bill Gomer, Leavenworth | Saddle Making |
| Steve Sieg, Denison | Bill Gomer, Leavenworth | Saddle Making |
| Jim Skorija, Kansas City | Ed Grisnik, Kansas City | Croatian Music |
| Sunshiners Choir, Manhattan | James Boyer, Manhattan | Gospel Music |
| Ann Taylor, Pratt | Terry Thompson Evans, Sylvia | Quilt Making |
| 1991 Apprenticeship Program | ||
| Felipa A. Blanco, Topeka | Antonia A. Rocha, Topeka | Mexican Draw Work |
| Jo Ann E. Henderson, Kechi | Betty J. Keeler, Wichita | American Indian Beadwork |
| Nang Hoang, Xuan Nguyen, Quyen Le, Thoa Nguyen, Thao Le, Hue Nguyen,Thai Nguyen, Ngan Nguyen, Lan Nguyen, Garden City | Sau Vu, Holcomb | Vietnamese Fan/Umbrella Dance |
| James Holmes, Lawrence | Carolyn Hammon, Gardner | Boot Making |
| Arvetta M. Karst, Ellsworth | Kepka Belton, Ellsworth | Czech Kraslice |
| Natalie Laney, Fort Scott | Doris Johnson, Luray | Bobbin Lace Making |
| Aurora Martin, Topeka | Vernona Lewis, Mayetta | American Indian Clothing |
| Audrey Nesby, Marcia Hayes, Eslund Turner, Kansas City | Georgia Patton, Kansas City | Food Preservation |
| Deb Nikkel, Hutchinson | Terry Thompson Evans, Sylvia | Quilt Making |
| Thoummy Phrakornkham, Winfield | Mai Phrakornkham, Winfield | Laotian Weaving |
| Maria G. Rangel, Garden City | Tania L. de Alcala, Garden City | Bread Dough Flowers |
| Larry Rutter, Meriden | Keith Middlemas, Lawrence | Stone Cutting |
| Adele Salazer, Kristina Padilla, Pete Wedel, Danny Tetuan, Lisha Tetuan, Gabriel Ortiz, Flor Martinez, Joe Cuevas, Topeka | Ediberto J. Gonzalez, Topeka | Mexican Regional Dance |
| Derwin Sneed & Paul Jones, Fort Riley | James B. Boyer, Manhattan | Gospel Music |
| George Steinberger, Olathe | Bill Gomer, Leavenworth |
Saddle Making
|
| Elizabeth Torrez, Garden City | Tania L. de Alcala, Garden City | Vietnamese Dragon Dance |
| Francis Vinh, Tung Ly, Nguyen Trung, Dat Nguyen, Vo Manh Doan, Nguyen Sam H., Le Cong Nghien, Nguyen Van Tuyen, Le Hiep Doan, Vinh Hung, Nguyen Huu Loi, Nguyen Thanh Toan, Nguyen Thi Lap, Tran V. Tai, Garden City | Hau Nguyen, Garden City | Vietnamese Dragon Dance |
| 1992 Apprenticeship Program | ||
| Sandra G. Chapman, Emporia | Helen Ericson, Emporia | Quilt Making |
| Julie Ann Dorrell, Highland | Betty Ellen Dorrell, Highland | Weaving |
| W. Lee Fouts, Auburn | Bill Gomer, Leavenworth | Saddle Making |
| Shiela Jones, Theresa Page, Welletta Jones, Augusta Jones, Bobbie Piersy, Kansas City | Georgia G. Pattonm Kansas City | Food Preservation |
| Arvetta M. Karst, Ellsworth | Kepka Belton, Ellsworth | Czech Kraslice |
| Viengsone Phrakornkham, Winfield | Mai Phrakornkham, Winfield | Laotian Weaving |
| Dennis Rogers, Topeka | Labeta Nelson & Joe Domingo, Sheepspring, New Mexico | Navajo Sand Painting |
| Jeffery D. Rosine, Newton | John L. Hybhsa, Newton | Harness Making |
| Maurice Sharpe, Kansas City | Bobbie M. Sharpe, Kansas City | African Tie Dye |
| Todd Steinberger, DeSoto | Bill Gomer, Leavenworth | Saddle Making |
| Yolanda Thornton, Wichita | Rosaline Grant, Wichita | American Indian Beadwork |
| Francis Vinh, Tung Ly, Dat Nguyen, Nghiep Le, Tuyen Nguyen, Doan Le, Loi Nguyen, Toan Nguyen, Duc Vo, Huy Nguyen, Tan Nguyen, Suong Le, Lap Nguyen, Hanh Nguyen, Garden City | Hau Nguyen, Garden City | Vietnamese Dragon Dance |
| Loan Mai, Lam Cao, Su Nguyen, Anh Nguyen, My Mguyen, Garden City | MyVy Nguyen, Garden City | Vietnamese Conical Hat Dance |
| Xuan Nguyen, Thai Nguyen, Kim Nguyen, Hue Nguyen, Ngan Nguyen, Thao Le, Linda Mai, Thoas Nguyen, Mary Tran, Trang Le, Quyen Le, Nang Hoang, My Nguyen, Vi Mai, Garden City | MyVy Nguyen, Garden City | Vietnamese Fan/Umbrella Dance |
| 1993 Apprenticeship Program | ||
| Kathy M. Alpough, Gladstone, Missouri | Georgia G. Patton, Kansas City | Food Preservation |
| Mindy L. Baker, Wichita | Jack Kellogg, Wichita | Hat Making |
| Matt Ball, Hoyt | Teresa Cuevas, Topeka | Mariachi |
| Valerie Gomez Ball, Hoyt | Teresa Cuevas, Topeka | Mariachi |
| Steve Chambers, Topeka | Bill Gomer, Leavenworth | Saddle Making |
| Wesley Thomas Collins, Lawrence | Henry Thomas Collins, Lawrence | Ponca Tribal Drum Making |
| Sonia Domsch, Atwood | Annelies Beer, Gera, Germany | Bobbin Lace Making |
| Sonia Esquivel, Garden City | Juan Esquivel, Garden City | Mexican Dance |
| Bill Gomer, Leavenworth | Carolyn J. Hammon, Edgerton | Boot Making |
| Robbie M. Harjo, Wichita | Betty J. Keeler, Wichita | American Indian Beadwork |
| Quynh Nhu Le, Garden City | MyVy Vu Nguyen, Garden City | Vietnamese Dance |
| Roseanne Longhorn, Wichita | Marilyn Bushyhead Kindsvatter, Wichita | American Indian Quillwork/Beadwork |
| Tung Ly, Nguyen Tuyen, Nguyen Khoung Duy, Tan Nguyen, Thanh Nguyen, Kiet Nguyen, Hanh Nguyen, Sang Nguyen, Tai Nguyen, Tam Nguyen, Son Nguyen, Toan Nguyen, Garden City | Hau Nguyen, Garden City | Vietnamese Dragon Dance |
| Ted Lynn McCoy, Atchison | James W. Bevan, Valley Falls | Blacksmithing |
| Mary Jo Smith, Troy | DeRoin Kent, White Cloud | American Indian Beadwork |
| George Steinberger, Olathe | Carolyn J. Hammon, Edgerton | Boot Making |
| Horace (Gene) Stowell, Leavenworth | Bill Gomer, Leavenworth | Saddle Making |
The Kansas Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program was sponsored by the Kansas Historical Society and the Kansas Arts Commmission with partial funding provided by the Nartonal Endowment for the Arts.
From Celebrate Kansas Folk Arts © KSHS 1993
Entry: Kansas Folk Art Traditions
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: November 2010
Date Modified: November 2017
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
