2018 NEA National Heritage Fellows
Marion Coleman Art Quilter receives an impressive award! Today the National Endowment for the Arts is announcing the newest recipients of the NEA National Heritage Fellowships. Moreover,they range from an old-time fiddler to a Day of the Dead altar maker to an R&B musician. The NEA National Heritage Fellowships are awarded annually by the National Endowment for the Arts. Certainly,they highlight the breadth and excellence of the artistic traditions found in communities across the United States. As a result,the 2018 recipients will receive a $25,000 award. Furthermore they are honored in Washington, DC at an awards ceremony. In addition they are presented at a free concert on September 28, 2018. The concert will be streamed live at arts.gov.
The 2018 NEA National Heritage Fellows are:
- Feryal Abbasi-Ghnaim (Milwaukie, OR)—Palestinian embroiderer
- Eddie Bond (Fries, VA)—Appalachian old-time fiddler
- Kelly Church (Allegan, MI)—Anishinabe (Gun Lake Band) black ash basketmaker
- Marion Coleman (Castro Valley, CA)—African American quilter
- Manuel Cuevas (Nashville, TN)—rodeo tailor
- Ofelia Esparza (Los Angeles, CA)—Chicana altarista (Day of the Dead altar maker)
- Barbara Lynn (Beaumont, TX)—R&B musician
- Don & Cindy Roy (Gorham, ME)—Franco-American musicians
- Ethel Raim (New York, NY)—traditional music and dance advocate
In addition,Raim is the recipient of the 2018 Bess Lomax Hawes NEA National Heritage Fellowship. It is in recognition of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the preservation and awareness of cultural heritage. 2018 NEA National Heritage Fellows
“The 2018 NEA National Heritage Fellows have dedicated their lives to mastering these distinctive art forms. As well as sharing them with new audiences both within their communities and nationwide,” said Mary Anne Carter, acting chairman for the National Endowment for the Arts. “We look forward to celebrating them and their incredible artistic accomplishments this fall.”
About the NEA National Heritage Fellowships
The National Heritage Fellowships is the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. It recognizes the recipients’ artistic excellence. Furthermore it supports their continuing contributions to our nation’s traditional arts heritage. Over the years including the 2018 class, the NEA has awarded 431 NEA National Heritage Fellowships.
200 Distinct Art Forms
Recognizing artists in More than 200 distinct art forms. Former winners included bluesman B.B. King, Cajun fiddler and composer Michael Doucet, sweetgrass basketweaver Mary Jackson, cowboy poet Wally McRae, Kathak dancer and choreographer Chitresh Das, and gospel and soul singer Mavis Staples. More information about the NEA National Heritage Fellows is available on the NEA’s website.
https://www.arts.gov/honors/heritage
Nominated by the Public
Initially,the public nominates the Fellowship recipients. The recommendation is often by members of their own communities. Then a panel of experts in the folk and traditional arts judges the work. After that,the panel’s recommendations are reviewed by the National Council on the Arts. Afterwards they sends the recommendations to the NEA chairman. Finally,the chairman who makes the final decision.
Class of 2019
In addition,the NEA is currently accepting nominations for the 2019 class of NEA National Heritage Fellowships. The deadline is July 30, 2018. Finally,visit the NEA’s website for more information and to submit a nomination.
Marion Coleman ,SAQA member,Art quilter announces her award on Facebook. June 20 at 7:15 AM ·
First of all, I am delighted and excited to announce that I am the recipient of a 2018 NEA National Heritage Fellowship. Certainly,many thanks to the National Endowment for the Arts for this tremendous honor. Above all,I remain grateful to the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland, the Women of Color Quilters Network, family and friends for your support through the years.
Thank you Congressman Eric Swalwell
In addition,thank you Congressman Eric Swalwell for your visit. It was a delight to share my quilts with you. Moreover, thank you Ora Clay for your encouragement and support. In addition,thanks to the Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) for helping me and others reach and teach community members to enjoy quilting. Certainly,congratulations to the other NEA fellows. #NEAHeritage18
Sadly, Marion Coleman passed in 2019.
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2018/07/a-world-of-fiber-art/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/07/political-quilts2008-2014/