Oral History Commons^™

Folk Arts And The Maine Arts Commission, Edward D. Ives

Dr. Edward D. Ives Papers

Just as I believe, as an oral historian, that there is no such thing as oral history, only history, I also believe as a folklorist that there is no such thing as folk art as an entity distinct from other kinds of art, say "primitive" or "high" art. There is only art, the aesthetic response, the shaping of the world experienced into meaningful and apposite forms that can be shared with others. The creation and enjoyment of what we call art is fundamental to being human; it is not limited to any one social class or community but, as my …