From Fall 2020 to Winter 2022, we collaborated with the National Endowment for the Arts to create a series of films to honor their National Heritage Fellows, the highest honor given to folk artists by the U.S. government. It was quite a lift — 28 short docs in 28 months — but an incredibly rewarding project. Each year's group of films were also stitched together into a longer program called Roots of American Culture presented by a host: NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson in 2022, American actor Jimmy Smits in 2021, and storyteller Queen Nur in 2020.
2022
TahNibaa Naataanii. Diné/Navajo Textile Artist and Weaver from Shiprock, New Mexico.
Shaka Zulu. New Orleans Black Masking Craftsman, Stilt Dancer, & Musician
Eva Enciñias. Flamenco Artist from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Stanley Jacobs. Quelbe Flute Player and Bandleader from St. Croix, Virgin Islands, U.S.
Michael Cleveland. Bluegrass Fiddler from Charlestown, Indiana.
The Legendary Ingramettes. Gospel Artists from Richmond, Virginia.
Excelsior Band. Brass Band Musicians from Mobile, Alabama.
Tsering Wangmo Satho. Tibetan Opera Singer and Dancer from Richmond, California.
C. Brian Williams. Step Artist and Producer from Washington, DC.
Francis P. Sinenci. Master Hawaiian Hale Builder in Oahu, Hawai’i
2021
Los Lobos. Mexican American Band from East Los Angeles, California.
Tagumpay Mendoza De Leon. Rondalla Musician from Burbank, California.
Cedric Burnside. HIll Country Musician from Holly Springs, Mississippi.
Reggio the Hoofer. Tap Dancer from Chicago, Illinois.
Tom Davenport. Filmmaker, Documentarian, and Media Curator
Anita Fields. Osage Ribbon Worker and Multimedia Artist from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Joanie Madden. Irish Flute Player from Yonkers, New York
Nellie Vera. Mundillo Master Weaver from Moca, Puerto Rico.
2020
Wayne Valliere. Birchbark Canoe Builder from Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin.
William Bell. Soul Singer and Songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia.
Zak and Naomi Diouf. West African Diasporic Dancers from Oakland, California.
Onnik Dinkjian. Armenian Folk and Liturgical Singer from Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Karen Ann Hoffman. Haudenosaunee Raised Beadworker from Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Los Matachines de la Santa Cruz de la Ladrillera. Traditional Religious Dancers from Laredo, Texas.
Hugo N. Morales. Radio Producer & Radio Network Builder from Fresno, California.
John Morris. Old-Time Fiddle Player from Ivydale, West Virginia.
Suni Paz. Nueva Canción Singer and Songwriter from Henderson, Nevada.