User:Rich Connolly

Rich Connolly, founder of Rich Connolly Folk Art based in The Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania has been a nationally known Folk Artist since 1980, creating a collectible line of vintage chalkware figures, cast using Antique German Chocolate Molds, most dating back to the early 1900's. The molds used are all Holiday oriented and consist of Easter, Halloween, and his signature Christmas collection. Rich received his college degree in Communications, but during his summer breaks started to produce chalkware to sell at local craft shows along with his carved wood duck decoys. Having had success at this, upon graduation, he decided that he wanted to continue producing classic folk art for all to enjoy. Rich Connolly's work started to become so popular especially with the "American Country Look" sweeping the nation in the early 1980, that it was time to add additional help to produce the work. In 1989 Rich's work was chosen to be part of the White House Christmas Display, and his many collectors included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. In 2001 Rich Connolly received the National Endowment for the Arts award for his excellence in creating classic American Folk Art. Today over 30 years later, Rich Connolly Folk Art remains one of the last businesses in The United States creating Vintage Holiday collectibles.