The most prolific collectors of 3D folk art by Abner and Aaron Zook are about to begin selling off their pictures, beginning with an auction of works by the late twin brothers that could easily draw $250,000. Since 2000, Jim and Nancy Binsberger have assembled a veritable museum in their Perkasie home of more than 70 pieces of Zook brothers’ art depicting barn raisings, farm work, sleigh rides, grain mills and other scenes of Amish life in Lancaster County. But after nearly a quarter century of being leading buyers of Zook artwork, the Binsbergers are becoming major sellers. “It’s time that we begin to downsize. Since they were in every room in the house, it’s now time to reduce our collection,” said Jim Binsberger, 85, a retired finance executive who had a second career as an orchard owner. Binsberger said his age and the fact that his children wouldn’t know what to do with all the pictures prompted him to begin selling some now.

“What do you mean?” I asked. “I mean, we’re not just talking about the people who are already here. We’re talking about the people who are going to be born in the future. They’re going to be sold, too.”

“That’s… that’s impossible,” I said. “It’s not impossible,” he said.

The winning bidder was a private collector from New York. This auction, which was the first of its kind, was a significant event in the history of Zook art. It marked the beginning of a new era for the artist, one that would see his work become increasingly sought after and valued.

We were always drawing and painting,” said one of the Zook twins. Their parents, who were both artists themselves, provided a supportive and nurturing environment for their children’s artistic pursuits. This early exposure to art, coupled with their innate talent, allowed the Zook twins to develop a strong foundation in art.

Les was a renowned artist, and his lessons were a valuable learning experience for the Zooks. The Zooks’ artistic journey began with a simple act of observation. They would spend hours observing the natural world around them, meticulously recording their observations in a journal.

A. Amish Artists: From Farming to Fine Art
B.

The brothers, who were raised in the Old Order Amish community, became full-time artists in the 1970s. They had prior experience in farming and other trades, including carpentry, furniture making, and boat building. They left the Old Order Amish church before becoming artists.

**A. Amish Roots in Art**
**B.

This statement reveals a lot about the artist’s background and influences. His upbringing in the Amish community, with its emphasis on simplicity, hard work, and community, is evident in his art. The Amish are known for their traditional clothing, plain living, and their strong sense of community.

“I got one and then I geez, there’s another place in the house we could put another one and another one and another one until there’s not a wall that doesn’t have one,” he said. Those first sales launched the Binsgergers on a multi-decade quest for Zook art that would take them across the country. Over the years, Binsberger says he has bought Zook artwork from people in 22 states, including California and Texas. The Binsbergers also looked for Zook artwork closer to home. From October 2011 until March 2020, the Binsbergers ran 2,273 classified ads in Lancaster Newspapers seeking Zook artwork. “Wanted: Abner Zook or Aaron Zook 3D Art. Fair price paid in cash,” the ad said.

A. The Legacy of Zook: Family and Community
B.

The Binsberger family’s passion for Zook’s work has been passed down through generations. The family’s love for the artist’s work is evident in their dedication to preserving and showcasing his art. The Binsberger family’s commitment to preserving Zook’s legacy is not limited to their home. They have also been actively involved in various community initiatives and organizations.