Akira Blount Doll Artist NIADA Peasant Doll OOAK

Akira Blount Doll Artist made over 2,000 dolls each of which unique. These dolls are collectibles averaging in the price range of $2,000.00. At one time she was president of the National Institute of American Doll Artists (NIADA) an international doll artist organization. Her artwork is part of a number of major displays including the White House Collection of American Craft housed at the Clinton Memorial Library in Little Rock, AR. The Tennessee State Museum has several pieces, and 13 were donated to the museum. She was a resident in Bybee, Tennessee where she had her studio. Another doll is housed at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, France, which is a part of the Louvre Museum, and another at the Sekiguchi Doll Garden in Japan. Exercise guru Richard Simmons has a number of her dolls, and her works are also the permanent collections of Southerland Highlands Craft Guild, as well as the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlingburg, TN. Several of Akira’s dolls are centerpieces in major businesses around the country including the Meadowview Conference Center in Kingsport. She started making dolls in 1970 until 2013 after she succumbed to cancer at the age of 67. Each doll was a one of a kind. Doll measures app. 18 inches tall. Nylon hand-painted face. Blonde hair and yellow bonnet. Dress is floral print in blue, yellow and pink with lace collar. Pinafore is cream and gray tiny leaf print with brown felt belt, gray round button and black string for lace up. Apron is cream linen and has small amount of residue under basket. Brown woven basket with dried flowers. Cream pantaloons (have stain marks), and legs are covered in gray and pink striped cloth. Shoes are brown felt tied with black string. Signed by artist Akita 1986 on back of pantaloons. Comes with original studio card and wood stand. Please see all photos for more description and email with any questions.