Americana art isn't just about patriotic flags and prints of Uncle Sam. It is a unique slice of the American experience. The term is used to categorize many different images that reflect the charm and nostalgia of America's past. It evokes a sense of patriotism and reflects the history, traditions, folklore, artifacts and culture of the United States.
Well known are the paintings and illustrations of rural life and street life, farms and factories, workers and families by artists such as Norman Rockwell, Edward Hopper and Anna Mary Robertson "Grandma" Moses.
Though many artworks can be labeled Americana, its most original form is traditional folk art. Many paintings were executed by self-taught artists who would paint family portraits, scenes of the rural landscape, or still-life paintings of everyday utilitarian ware.
The NYC-ARTS Americana Collection includes an array of current exhibitions, sculptures and paintings that span back to the 19th century. Subjects range from U.S. presidents and the Civil War to Hudson River landscapes and birds of America -- a mix as diverse as America itself.
Watch Full Episode: February 14, 2013 on PBS. See more from NYC-ARTS.