Starlight Opening at Vaillancourt Folk Art

November 10, 2008

Starlight Opening at Vaillancourt Folk Art

October 30, 2008 – Vaillancourt Folk Art and the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation will celebrate their partnership with the debut of this year’s 19th annual Starlight Santa at the studio starting Friday, October 31, 5-8 p.m. and continuing through the weekend on Saturday, November 1 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, November 2 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Each year, designer Judi Vaillancourt creates a special Starlight Santa that is produced for one year only. It is then “retired” on Christmas Eve. A portion of the proceeds from its sale are donated to the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation to purchase “Fun Centers” for a local hospital’s pediatric units.

A “Fun Center” is a mobile entertainment unit containing a flat-screen television, DVD player and Nintendo system that helps entertain children and their families while they are in the process of receiving treatment.

This year’s design features Santa in a Christmas Chair holding gifts. The colors of red, white and blue and its form reflect its American folklore origins. Call 508-476-3601 or visit www.valfa.com for more information.

Vaillancourt et cetera

October 2, 2008

Judi Vaillancourt and son, Luke, hold some of the products created by Vaillancourt folk Art.

Judi Vaillancourt and son, Luke, hold some of the products created by Vaillancourt folk Art.

Artist and designer Judi Vaillancourt of Vaillancourt Folk Art introduced the company’s new line of home décor and giftware at the studio’s silver anniversary event last week. Joined by co-designer Luke Vaillancourt, Judi unveiled “Vaillancourt Et Cetera” that incorporates her work into canvas prints, Christmas dinnerware and gift items such as Knickerbocker wooden tribute boxes.

Luke M. Vaillancourt, director of digital marketing for the operation, says he has brought another, very different aesthetic to the company.

“I realized that my friends in their 30s would not be as inclined to buy something for their homes from us,” he said. “Their taste has been influenced by different concepts and retailers — IKEA or Crate & Barrel, for instance. I wanted to help develop a line that incorporated Judi’s artwork and appeal to “the next generation.” What we’ve come up with is this home décor and giftware line that we are calling Vaillancourt Et Cetera.”