Despite Hurricane Isabel, The Show Goes On for Folk Artists

2003 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellows Honored in Alternative Celebration

September 22, 2003

		Contact: Victoria Hutter 202-682-5570

Washington, D.C. - Due to Hurricane Isabel, the National Endowment for the Arts was forced to cancel two of its 2003 National Heritage Fellows events, an award ceremony on Capitol Hill scheduled for Thursday, September 18 and a concert at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium, scheduled for Friday, September 19.

In the spirit of "the show must go on" however, the Arts Endowment gathered together the artists, their friends, family and colleagues for an alternative celebration. An awards ceremony and performance took place, Friday September 20 at the Key Bridge Marriott Hotel across the Potomac River from Georgetown University. Sam Donaldson of ABC News presented the awards along with the Arts Endowment's Senior Deputy Chairman Eileen Mason. Nick Spitzer, host of National Public Radio's American Routes program was the emcee for the performance.

Eleven fellowships representing the nation's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts were presented to 16 artists from nine states and one special jurisdiction. The fellowship includes a one-time award of $20,000.

2003 National Heritage Fellowship Recipients

Rosa Elena Egipciaco, Mundillo (Puerto Rican bobbin lace) (New York, NY)
Agnes "Oshanee" Kenmille, Salish beadworker and regalia maker (Ronan, MT)
Norman Kennedy, Weaver, singer, storyteller (Marshfield, VT)
Roberto and Lorenzo Martinez, Hispanic musicians (Albuquerque, NM)
Norma Miller, African American dancer, choreographer (Las Vegas, NV)
Ron Poast, Hardanger fiddle maker (Black Earth, WI)
Felipe I. and Joseph K. Ruak, Carolinian stick dance leaders (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands)
Manoochehr Sadeghi, Persian santur player, (Sherman Oaks, CA)
Nicholas Toth, Diving helmet designer/builder, (Tarpon Springs, FL)
Basque (Bertsolari) Poets
    Jesus Arriada (San Francisco, CA)
    Johnny Curutchet (South San Francisco, CA)
    Martin Goicoechea (Rock Springs, WY)
    Jesus Goni (Reno, NV)

2003 Bess Lomax Hawes Award
Carmencristina Moreno, Mexican American singer, composer, teacher (Fresno, CA)

Profiles of the 2003 National Heritage Fellows are available on the web site.

Please see a listing of all Heritage recipients.

National Heritage Fellowships Nomination Information

Photos are available upon request.

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