Richard Noel, Percussionist. Tucson, AZ | 2017 Richard Noel is an ambassador of the Trinidad culture and community in Tucson and Southern Arizona preserving traditions in steel drum and various Caribbean hand drums. Richard will work with apprentice Westly Langly Henry II and other master drum makers in the state to build the skill set … Read more
Dan Levenson, Old Time Fiddler. Tucson, AZ | 2017 & 2021 Tucson-based southern Appalachian Old-Time fiddler. A Southern Appalachian native, Dan is an acclaimed teacher and performer of both the clawhammer banjo and Appalachian style fiddle and has gained an international reputation performing and teaching workshops in fiddle, banjo, and string band ensembles in the … Read more
Alice Manuel, Onk Akimel O’odham Basket Weaver. Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, AZ | 2017 Alice Manuel uses river willow, devil’s claw and cattail, as weavers from the region have been doing for generations. She will carry on this tradition by working with her apprentice and daughter Raeann Brown.
Francisco Garcia, Muralist. Phoenix, AZ | 2017 A muralist rooted in hip-hop culture and traditional muralism, Francisco’s work can be seen on walls in communities throughout Phoenix, Arizona. Garcia will work with emerging muralist Angel Lugo to build skills and knowledge of traditional and contemporary mural art by working on several community mural projects through … Read more
Terrol Johnson, Traditional and Contemporary Tohono O’odham Basket Weaver. Tucson, AZ | 2017 Founder of TOCA (Tohono O’odham Community Action) Terrol has been working with apprentice Edward Miguel, the grandson of Johnson’s first teacher, to share his knowledge and skill. This ongoing apprenticeship will preserve the traditional knowledge of Tohono O’odham basket weaving.
Wanesia Spry Misquadaceis, Annishinaabe Artist and Jeweler | 2017 Wanesia Spry Misquadaceis will pass on the tradition of birchbark biting, a traditional art form of the Annishinaabe people and Canada. The bitings are used in storytelling, beadwork, quillwork to produce baskets, medallions, dresses, seed pot containers, canoes, and Annishinaabe sacred midi scrolls. Wanesia and mentee … Read more
Barbea Williams, Dancer of Traditional African and African Diaspora Forms. Tucson, AZ | 2017 Barbea Williams is dedicated to sharing ethnic dance and visual cultural traditions from Africa and the African Diaspora, including traditional West African, African Brazilian, Afro-Cuban and Haitian dance. Barbea will work with Jezaniah and daughter Beah to refine their knowledge and … Read more
Joanna Schmit, Polish Folk Dancer. Tucson, AZ | 2017 Joanna Schmit uses dance as the medium to share and explore her native Polish culture through the traditional polish folk dance company, Lajkonik. She will work with her son, Matthew Schmit, and Amy Robertson to learn and perform a traditional folk polish wedding dance. The team … Read more
Gertrude “Gertie” Lopez, Waila Musician. Tucson, AZ | 2017 Gertrude “Gertie” Lopez is a button accordion player in the Tohono O’odham waila tradition. Waila music was passed to Gertie by her late Father Augustine Lopez, and today she is the only female waila band leader in the state. She will work with band member Mike … Read more