Vaillancourt Folk Art - Rotary Drilling Rigs Manufacturer - Mud Pump
www.valfa.com/
www.valfa.com/
Vaillancourt Folk Art is a family owned and operated wholesale and retail company based in Sutton, Massachusetts, that manufactures highly detailed, hand-painted collectible chalkware collectibles. The company's mission is to create an American-made, high-quality, family heirloom that will be passed down for generations.
The company initially was created as a store that sold a wide variety of holiday and Folk Art items, and operated as Vaillancourt Folk Art & Friends. The name was shortened to Vaillancourt Folk Art in 2007 when their headquarters relocated, and the company's emphasis re-focused to their own Chalkware and ornament line. The Vaillancourt Folk Art lines have since been carried in stores within major cities across the United States and Canada.
As part of its branding, the company is focused on helping families start traditions for the holidays, whether by giving the gift of Vaillancourt Chalkware or by making the annual visit to their Gallery and Studios during the Christmas season to enjoy their New York City-like Window Display.
Contents
1 History
2 Expansion
3 Distribution
4 Divisions
5 Philanthropy
6 Community
7 In Popular Culture
8 References
9 External links
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History
Husband and wife, Gary and Judi Vaillancourt, founded Vaillancourt Folk Art in 1984. During this year Gary and Judi were asked to participate in a Folk Art Show by Chicago-based promoter, Judy Marks. Judi Vaillancourt, discovered by Marks from an article on Historical House Reproductions by Early American Life,, decided to participate in the show with her original furniture, scherensnites, wooden Noah's Arks, oil paintings, and figurines. For the first show Judi had made several beeswax and one hand-painted chalkware figures shaped from an antique chocolate mould that was given to Judi as a gift from husband Gary Vaillancourt. The hand-painted figural sold for $25 ($50 with 2007 inflation) and the Vaillancourts had taken approximately 25 orders.
In 1985, Gary Vaillancourt left his position as President of Mitchell Management Systems to join his wife Judi to start what is now known as Vaillancourt Folk Art. That year, the Vaillancourts brought hired 15 employees to work within their house, pouring the products in their kitchen, paint in their dining room, and ship out of their bed room. By the end of 1985, they had converted their 18th century house's basement into a production studio and formed Vaillancourt Folk Art & Friends.
Date
Significance
1984
Vaillancourt Folk Art & Friends was founded with Judi being the sole designer and production artist.
1985
The basement of Gary and Judi's home where 10 workers would come and go as they pleased to paint Judi's designs.
1986
Vaillancourt Folk Art had 18 workers working two shifts at Christmas time.
1987
Vaillancourt Folk Art & Friends moved their location in an 1820s Farm house with their 20 person production team working on the second floor and a new retail space featuring Folk Artists resided on the first floor.
1989
Vaillancourt Folk Art begins wholesale distribution.
1991
Vaillancourt Folk Art starts their annual Starlight Santa.
1991
Emma Samms and Tom Bergeron first visit the Vaillancourt store.
1992
Nordstroms becomes the first department store to carry the Vaillancourt Chalkware and Ornament line.
1994
Vaillancourt Folk art licensed to Possible Dreams making clothtique santas.
1995
Judi vaillancourt designs classical Christmas a line of English Creamware dinnerware.
1996
Judi Vaillancourt has her first figurines made into glass ornaments in Lauscha, Germany.
1998
Vaillancourt Folk Art launches its web site for eCommerce.
2007
Vaillancourt Folk Art drops "& Friends" and moves to a 10,000-sq/ft location in an 1800s mill.
2007
Son, Luke M. Vaillancourt, joins the family business as Director of Digital Marketing.
2008
Introduction of the Et Cetera line, a line of Vaillancourt Designs on media like acrylic coasters, wooden framed mirrors, ceramic trivets, and metal ornaments.
2009
Vaillancourt Chalkware is now available in 20 Macy's Stores along with locations in: Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Frontgate, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and Williamsburg.
Expansion
Vaillancourt Folk Art underwent a period of expansion in the late 1980s. Vaillancourt Folk Art acquired an 1820 Farm House in 1987 and moved production to the second floor within the first month of acquisition. Within the same year, the first floor of the building was turned into a retail store featuring Vaillancourt Folk Art chalkware and work of American Folk Artists that the Vaillancourt family had met while doing Art and Craft shows around the country.
Known as being dedicated workers, the Vaillancourt Home was featured in Yankee Magazine showing how Gary and Judi always took the time, even in the midst of a busy season, to celebrate their passion for Christmas and historical collections.
While Vaillancourt Chalkware was widely sold over the first 15 years of business, they received a large boom in business in the post 9/11 era because they were Made in America and focused on quality. Their patriotic line and their "American Christmas Series" collectionaving partnered with American Christmas companies Byers's Choice and Lynn Haney collection, became an instant success. Vaillancourt has always been focused on creating pieces that could be passed on from generation to generation, creating an heirloom piece.
In 2007, Vaillancourt Folk Art moved its operations into a 10,000-sq/ft space within the Manchaug Mills, accommodating the extensive collection of designs and antique confectionery molds. Within this new location, Vaillancourt Folk Art dropped "& Friends" from its name and stopped selling other manufactures products and instead focused on displaying its own brands within their gallery. This new location allowed for the opening a Christmas museum and streamline its studios for guided tours.
In Winter of 2009, Vaillancourt Folk Art completed the construction of Blaxtons Hall function room which hosted Gerald Charles Dickens (the great great grandson of Charles Dickens) for his American Tour of A Christmas Carol. Dickens made a special trip from London to perform his great-great grandfather classic tale, Christmas Carol. Dickens adopted different voices, expressions and mannerisms to portray each of the story twenty-six characters in this acclaimed one-man show.
Distribution
Vaillancourt Folk Art began its wholesale distribution in 1989. Several years late, in 1992, Nordstrom West was the first Department store to approach Vaillancourt Folk Art to sell their product nationally. Today, Vaillancourt Folk Art sells to 300 stores nation wide, including, Rogers's Garden, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Lord and Taylor, Macy's/Bloomingdales, Frontgate Catalog, and hundreds of small "mom-and-pop" stores
Vaillancourt Folk Art launched its web site in 1998 and has focused on marketing to individuals along with companies. In 2007, its on-line distribution started to slowly match the company in-store sales, especially in an economy that was suffering from a yearlong fuel surcharge . Even in a down economy, Vaillancourt Folk Art has remained hopeful in the American consumer choosing American-made, high quality products. In fact, their partnership with Xerox Corporation helped keep them ahead of the curb in terms of marketing technology enabling their studios to be popular tourist stops for New England and being chosen by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism as one of six behind-the-scenes places to visit alongside: Cape Cod Potato Chips, Cisco Brewers, Fenway Park, Boston Beer Company, and Harbor Sweets.
Divisions
Chalkware was a Victorian art form where plaster was molded and painted with watercolors. These pieces, considered the "poor man's porcelain" was often given as prizes at carnivals. Vaillancourt Folk Art's main product is a contemporary form of chalkware using vintage confectionary moulds to shape a plaster-like substance that is then hand painted with oil paints.
Classical Christmas Cream ware is a line developed by the artist, Judi, as an alternative to traditional dinnerware. A cream ware company in Stoke-On-Trent produces Judi's designs the same way as they were produced in the early 1700s, by hand. The manufacturer is the last cream ware company producing this type of product in Europe, most companies have moved their operations to China.
Mouth-Blown Glass Ornaments were interpretations of the popular Chalkware figurines. Vaillancourt Folk Art developed its ornament line in 1996 with a small German glass company. In 2001, the German manufacturer went out of business and Vaillancourt Folk Art moved its glass operations to a small Polish factory that still mouth-blows and hand-paints each ornament.
Gorham Silver was the first manufacturer to license Judi's designs, manufacturing ornaments in Taiwan under the name Vaillancourt Folk Art for Gorham in 1986.
Possible Dreams was a manufacturer that licensed Judi's designs in the late 1990s.
Et Cetera In 2008, Vaillancourt Folk Art released a line that incorporated Judi's designs and art work on everyday pieces items, such as dishes, treasure boxes, serving trays, and metal ornaments. These products, adhering to Vaillancourt Folk Arts belief in local, are being manufactured in Maine and Virginia.
Philanthropy
Starlight Children's Foundation In 1991 the Starlight Children's Foundation made a presentation to the major gift companies of America, including Vaillancourt Folk Art, which resulting in Judi designing an annual Starlight Santa with a portion of proceeds of sales benefiting critically and chronically ill children. As of 2009, Vaillancourt Folk Art has granted 104 wishes and purchased 14 Fun Centers for pediatric hospitals in New England. Vaillancourt Folk Art's involvement with philanthropic organizations has yielded dozens of awards from the Starlight Children's Foundation, Pediatric Division of University of Massachusetts Hospital, The United States, Retailers Association of Massachusetts, and other organizations.
Community
Gary Vaillancourt has participated in many community organizations and groups, including the committee that started the Sutton Chain of lights, where the first Saturday of December trolleys take visitors around the town of Sutton to many of the local businesses and groups.
In Popular Culture
Vaillancourt Folk Art's involvement with the Starlight Children's Foundation brought their company into the national spotlight with celebrity support and appearances. In 1991, Soap Opera star Emma Samms and TV personality Tom Bergeron made their first appearance to the Vaillancourt studios. April 26 - 27, author and illustrator Tasha Tudor spent a weekend at Vaillancourt Folk Art meeting fans and speaking on a panel about illustration and art. More recently, fans met Tom Bergeron during the peak of his career hosting Dancing with the Stars November 2008. Tom Bergeron has made several appearances at the Vaillancourt Studios to support the company and their work with the Starlight Foundation.
Collectors are known to have camped out for days at a time in order to purchase limited edition and low number pieces, as well as to be the first to meet celebrities during their Vaillancourt appearances. Many of the older pieces have become collectibles and have easily double and tripled in value from their release date.
References
^ Staff Writer. (1988, August). Folk artists. Early American Life, Cover, 17, 40, 46, 49-50.
^ Dahlsad, D. (2009, September 6). Collectible Chalkware: An Interview With Luke M. Vaillancourt (Part One). Collectors Quest http://www.collectorsquest.com/blog/2009/09/06/collectible-chalkware-an-interview-with-luke-vaillancourt-part-one
^ Crews, B. (2009, August). 'Collecting Chalkware Santas from Vaillancourt'. about.com http://collectibles.about.com/od/holidaycollectin1/ss/vaillancourt.htm
^ Staff Writer. (1989, February). Folk artistry. Colonial Homes, 53-68.
^ Kasabian, A. (2005, December). Holiday house: Everyday is Christmas for this Massachusetts couple. Yankee Magazine, 22-28.
^ Eckelbecker, L. (2001, December 18). Santa present: Patriotic figurines bring welcome boost to sales at Vaillancourt. Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
^ Anderson, L. (2002, December 16). Folk art santas: Limited-edition figurines a Yule tradition. The Providence Journal.
^ Harris, P. & Lyon, D. (2007, December 16). Santas in Sutton to brighten every sleigh. The Boston Globe.
^ Staff Writer. (2007, October 14). Vaillancourt display takes out new space. Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
^ Staff Writer. (2007, Winter). Handcrafted heirlooms: Groups discover-and get to keep-antique collectibles when they visit Vaillancourt Folk Art. Northeastern Group Tour Magazine, 108-109.
^ Boynton, D. (2009). A real Dickens: The Original's Great-Great-Grandson. TELEGRAM & GAZETTEttp://telegram.com/article/20091124/NEWS/911240393/1116.
^ http://valfa.com/2009/11/dickens/
^ http://www.valfa.com/locator.php
^ Eckelbecker, L. (2007, September 9). Reaching buyers: Online shopping exploding, but customers still like stores and catalogs. Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
^ Lee, R. (2008, December 12). iece de resistance: The tale of three retailers whose stores brim with great giftsnd optimism. d.b.a. Magazine.
^ Xerox Press Release. (2008, May 21). From Putting a Company Name on Promotional Chewing Gum Packages to Creating Localized Travel Books: Xerox Helps Target the Right Message to the Right People. Rochester, NY.
^ Quinn-Szcesuil, J. (2008, December). Santa Not the Only One Hard at Work Before Christmas. Horizons, AAA Southern New England.
^ MacDonald, S. (2009-2010). 'Behind The Scenes'. Massachusetts Vacations Guide, 34.
^ Staff Writer. (2008, October 2). Vaillancourt et cetera. The Millbury Sutton Chronicle.
^ Press Release: STARLIGHT CHILDREN FOUNDATION NEW ENGLAND HOSTS AN AFTERNOON TEA TO HONOR GARY AND JUDI VAILLANCOURT OF VAILLANCOURT FOLK ART, January 12, 2009. http://www.starlight.org/uploadedFiles/Starlight/NewEngland/WhatsNew/PressRoom/PressRelease_NEW_PursesAndPearls_01-12-09.pdf?n=1783
^ Berg, T. (2009, February 2). 'Starlight Children Foundation New England Hosts Afternoon Tea to Honor Gary and Judi Vaillancourt'. eNewsChannels. - http://enewschannels.com/2009/02/02/enc5686_145526.php
^ Staff Writer (2008). Sutton Chain of Lights. MassHotspots.com http://www.masshotspots.com/content/view/17/10/.
^ Sheehan, N. (2008, December). ancing host joins Starlight fundraiser. Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
^ Dees, B. (1997). Santa's price guide to contemporary christmas collectibles. Iola, WI: Krause Publications.
^ Dahlsad, D. (2009, September 6). Vaillancourt Folk Art Dedication To Collectible Chalkware And Collectors. Collectors Quest http://www.collectorsquest.com/blog/2009/09/06/vaillancourt-folk-arts-dedication-to-collectible-chalkware-and-collectors/
^ Bahar, A. (1991, September/October). Old-world charm. Collector Editions, 68-70.
External links
Official website
More About Vaillancourt Folk Art
Chalkware
Daily Christmas Haiku
Categories: Decorative arts
by: gaga
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