House of Folk Art

If you’ve ever wondered how an old jar of quarters, a dusty license plate, or a mystery canvas can bankroll a folk-art empire, this hour is your crash course. Matt Ledbetter and Sully leave the gallery table behind and unpack the method behind the madness of picking...long drives, door knocks, and gut checks that separate a lucky flea-market haul from a life-changing score. They relive two-week ma...

In this episode of House of Folk Art, Matt and Sully take on a challenge inside the gallery: pick 5 folk art pieces each and analyze them for viewers. But this isn’t just show and tell. You’ll get insight into how both beginners and experienced collectors weigh a piece’s condition, story, value, and craftsmanship. From outsider legends to emerging names, the episode explores what makes folk art co...

In this episode of House of Folk Art, Matt and Kyle are back at the Folk Art Auction House in Gibsonville, sifting through the spring haul from shows across North Carolina and Virginia. With the van finally unloaded and the finds laid out, they talk through what’s going to auction, what might stay in the collection, and what stories came with each piece. From a $70 New Jersey jug now soaring past...

In this episode of House of Folk Art, Matt, Kyle, and Sully squeeze into the back of the van just as the Fishersville Antique Expo winds down, surrounded by every treasure they scored that weekend. What starts with Matt flipping through his “Little by Little” reference book quickly becomes an all-out field lesson in Americana and folk art. From a perfectly aged 1860 Piedmont salt-glazed jug and Su...

Chapters 00:00 – Intro 00:14 – Baskets 101: The Feel Test 01:01 – Machine Cuts vs. Drawing Knife Splits 03:18 – Why Smaller Baskets Matter 04:16 – The Basket That Makes You Say Oh 05:11 – Dating Old Baskets by Feel and Wear 07:50 – How to Know When Not to Pass It Up 15:09 – The Best Basket You’ll Ever See 18:10 – A Known Maker vs Unknown Maker 19:15 – Who Got You Into Baskets? 23:05 – Sully Joins...

In this episode of House of Folk Art, Wade Ledbetter returns to share more stories from his life as a full-time antique picker. A life spent on back roads, knocking on doors, and hauling everything from sugar chests to human skulls. Told to his son Matt, the host of House of Folk Art, this episode winds through missed deals, strange finds, and wild encounters in small towns across Virginia and Nor...

In this episode of House of Folk Art, Matt Ledbetter takes listeners deep inside the Catawba Valley Pottery Festival. One of the South’s most important gatherings for traditional folk pottery. Held each spring in Hickory, NC, the festival brings together potters, collectors, and first-time admirers from across the country.  Featured Guests: Steve Abee | Stacy Lambert | Michael Gates LA Ryan | Dr....

In this episode of House of Folk Art, host Matt Ledbetter welcomes back Cher Shaffer, a self-taught folk artist whose work captures heritage, instinct, and raw emotion. Raised in Georgia with Cherokee and Melungeon roots, Cher has spent over 55 years creating visionary paintings, pit-fired pottery, sculptural dolls, and face jugs, each infused with personal and cultural storytelling. This time, Ch...

In this episode of House of Folk Art, Matt Ledbetter sits down with Cher Shaffer, a self-taught folk artist with a career spanning over 55 years. Raised in Georgia with Cherokee and Melungeon heritage, Cher’s work is deeply rooted in storytelling, tradition, and an unshakable urge to create. From visionary paintings that reveal themselves on the canvas to hand-sculpted dolls, pit-fired pottery, an...

In this episode of House of Folk Art , host Matt Ledbetter sits down with his wife, Jennie Ledbetter, to talk about their first experience at the Catawba Valley Pottery Festival in Hickory, North Carolina. This festival is one of the most important folk pottery gatherings in the country, drawing collectors, artists, and enthusiasts from all over. What started as a casual visit for Matt and Jennie...

In this episode of House of Folk Art , host Matt Ledbetter sits down with his father, Wade Ledbetter, a seasoned picker who has spent decades knocking on doors, digging through old attics, and uncovering forgotten pieces of folk art and antiques. Wade’s stories range from finding a freezer full of frozen squirrels to unknowingly selling a mourning sampler worth $20,000. This episode is a deep dive...

In this episode of House of Folk Art , host Matt Ledbetter sits down with long-time collector and expert Brian Sieveking to discuss the ins and outs of collecting outsider and self-taught art. With over 40 years of experience, Brian shares his journey into the world of folk and outsider art, offering insights into how new collectors can start their own journey. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 02:30...

In this episode of House of Folk Art , Matt Ledbetter sits down with longtime folk art collector Brian Sieveking, a Professor in the Fine Arts Department at Virginia Western Community College. Brian has been in the folk art world for decades, attending historic auctions, meeting legendary artists, and collecting pieces that tell a rich story of the American South. From strategizing at the 1996 Low...

In this episode of House of Folk Art, Matt Ledbetter and Kyle Sheetz explore the colorful world of folk art and its connections to their personal and professional lives. From trading pottery for taxidermy to hilarious tales of pranks and podcast listener encounters, they dive deep into the stories that make folk art collecting so rewarding. With dreams of community spaces, a drive-thru folk art mu...

In this exciting episode of House of Folk Art , Matt Ledbetter sits down with auctioneer Ted Muscarelli of the Muscarelli Auction Company and a surprise visit from Matt’s dad, Wade Ledbetter, just as Matt and Ted were about to start recording. Matt and Ted share stories of auctions, collecting, and the joy of the hunt for valuable pieces. From pottery to quilts, walking sticks to baskets, Matt and...

In this episode of House of Folk Art , Matt Ledbetter and Kyle Sheetz dive into Kyle's recent trip to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, where he explored the museum's folk art collection. They discuss the significance of the works on display and share reflections on the self-taught artists behind them. Matt offers insights on how the Smithsonian elevates folk art and what it means for artists l...

In this episode of House of Folk Art , Matt Ledbetter and Sully dive deep into the art of starting a folk art collection. They discuss the importance of museums as a foundation for learning, auctions as a gateway to smart investments, and the nuances of appreciating folk pottery, baskets, and more. With personal anecdotes and practical tips, Matt shares his expertise, guiding new collectors on how...

In this episode of House of Folk Art, Sully steps out from behind the camera to join Matt Ledbetter in a candid discussion about folk art auctions and starting a collection. With humor and insight, Matt shares his auction expertise, emphasizing the importance of understanding value, history, and how to navigate bidding wars. He also dives into why every pottery collector should add baskets to thei...

In this episode of House of Folk Art, Matt Ledbetter reconnects with antiques expert David Kane from Greensboro, North Carolina, to delve into the captivating world of folk pottery, folk art, and hidden treasures. Together, they explore legendary potters like Billy Ray Hussey and M.L. Owens, discussing the fine line between art and investment, and the excitement of discovering pieces that carry hi...

In this episode of House of Folk Art , Matt Ledbetter welcomes longtime friend and antiques expert David Kane from Greensboro, North Carolina. Together, they explore the world of folk art, picking, and the unique thrill of discovering hidden treasures. Through stories of auction days, rare finds, and surprising art appraisals, Matt and David share insights into the art market's ups and downs. From...

In this special episode from House of Folk Art , host Matt Ledbetter shares a few of his favorite picking stories during the drive down to visit renowned folk artist Marvin Bailey. From the thrill of the hunt to the unexpected finds, Matt’s stories give a glimpse into the world of picking that’s full of surprises and excitement. This is just a snippet of the full episode, which you can catch on Yo...

In this episode of House of Folk Art , Matt Ledbetter dives into the life and influence of Howard Finster , one of the most well-known self-taught artists from the folk art world. The conversation explores Finster’s role in popular culture, his creation of iconic album covers for bands like the Talking Heads and R.E.M., and his deeply spiritual approach to art, including the creation of his famous...

In this episode of House of Folk Art , host Matt Ledbetter sits down with his long-time friend and auctioneer, Ethan Raynor, for a captivating conversation filled with laughter, life lessons, and incredible auction stories. Ethan shares the journey of his family's auction business, the unforgettable tale of selling a rare Declaration of Independence copy found at a Goodwill, and his brother’s rema...

In this episode of House of Folk Art, Matt Ledbetter sits down with his longtime friend and fellow auctioneer, Ethan, to reminisce about their journey in the auction world. From their first meeting at Mendenhall Auction School to selling historical documents for millions, the two share stories of triumph, lessons learned, and the unique challenges of the auction business. Tune in to hear about the...

In this episode of the House of Folk Art podcast, host Matt Ledbetter explores the unexpected ways personal connections influence artistic expression. Discover how two colorful characters from Matt’s past, Snake and Bull, played a pivotal role in his connection with the folk artist Otto. Through engaging stories and reflections, Matt delves into the deep impact these relationships had on Otto’s ar...