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Artists Support Program Creative Opportunities for Traditional Artists –Grants 2004
A Program of the Fund for
Folk Culture
Underwritten by
The Ford Foundation
Obo Addy, Portland, Oregon - $5,000
Support for Ghanaian drummer and composer Obo Addy to develop four new works: two traditional dance and drumming pieces, Tigari and Out, used by the artist's father in spiritual ceremonies; one modern interpretation of a traditional dance and drumming piece, Adru, incorporating African American dance moves; and an original musical composition that will be performed by Addy's group members, faculty members from Lewis & Clark College and Addy's high school-aged students. The project gives the artist an opportunity to strengthen the presentation of traditional/spiritual Ghanaian music and dance, while exploring innovative and creative ways of presenting this performance tradition.Pat Courtney Gold, Scappoose, Oregon - $4,854
Support for Wasco basketweaver Pat Courtney Gold to research and revive the art of making plant fiber skirts, an important part of Plateau and Chinook cultures. The art form was discouraged at mission schools after the forced move to reservations. Applying computer technology, Gold will document and then share her work with the Plateau and Chinook Nations, tribal cultural centers and museums, through the distribution of compact discs.Rubén Guzmán, Oakland, California - $5,000
Support for Mexican cartoneria (paper sculpture) artist Ruben Guzman to create work commemorating the traditional Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead. Cartoneria is created using an ancient technique that is deeply rooted in the heart of Mexican traditions, combining Aztec knowledge and Spanish craft. The artist’s work will be exhibited before the Day of the Dead in several public venues in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood, including Las Bugambilias (senior center), the Cesar Chavez Public Library, One Stop Center (community job center), and Posada de Colores (senior housing). Lectures and workshops about Mexican art and traditions will accompany the exhibit.Ramya Harishankar, Irvine, California - $5,000
Support for East Indian Bharata Natyam dancer Ramya Harishankar to produce Life as a River, a piece inspired by the river as a metaphor for life. Choreography for Life as a River will be inspired by a combination of prose, poetry, legend and music representing the River Ganga. In order to appeal to broader audiences, the piece draws upon a dance idiom to create a non-denominational work that explores a new vocabulary and movement based in the Bharata Natyam tradition.Jorge Mijangos, Santa Barbara, California - $5,000
Support for Mexican luthier Jorge Mijangos to establish a workshop, where he can build jaranas and requintos,the basic instruments played in the son jarocho musical tradition, which originates in the gulf region of Veracruz. In acquiring the materials and space he needs, the artist will be able to keep up with the growing demand for his work, and to provide traditional instruments that contribute to the preservation and growth of son jarocho music.Juan A. Morales, Wasco, California - $5,000
Support for Mexican mariachi musician Juan Morales to develop curricular materials and study aids through which the artist can document and present his teaching methods and mariachi techniques. The artist specializes in teaching mariachi to early learners and young beginners at rural schools and various community groups. The instructional materials that Morales develops will help him to meet the community’s growing demand for his work, and will be a resource for the Central Valley music community, including school districts, after-school programs and other local organizations.Tima Mustafić, Portland, Oregon - $4,024
Support for Bosnian weaver Tima Mustafić for her work as a weaver and weaving teacher in the Bosnian upright loom tradition. Due to a lack of proper materials, the artist has not had the opportunity to weave since her arrival in the United States in 2001. Support provides materials to build a large loom, on which the artist will weave several large rugs. In addition to conitnuing the craft, the artist will also teach the art of weaving to other Bosnians in the community. Through her work, she hopes to strengthen a tradition that is practiced by few Bosnian women, either in the U.S. or in Bosnia Herzegovina.Susan Pavel, Skokomish Nation, Washington - $4,966
Support for Skokomish Coast Salish fiber weaver Susan Pavel to weave four ceremonial blankets. These blankets will be presented to the chief of Lower Elwha S'Klallam Tribe during the 2005 Tribal Journeys, in which tribes from all over the Northwest Coast participate. The artist will weave the ceremonial blankets at her home studio on the Skokomish Reservation. With the blankets, she will travel to partake in the traditional redistribution of wealth, an activity that honors both the artist’s and the host tribe, and contributes to the revival of the potlatch tradition.?ayit Bobby Rose, Neah Bay, Washington - $5,000
Support for Makah traditional food gatherer and cook ?ayit Bobby Rose to devote a year to documenting Makah foodways traditions through photos, writings, and sketches. These traditions include cooking, gathering, preparing, storing, building and more, culminating in a publication that highlights her work as a traditional foodways practitioner. The project focuses on the aesthetics of traditional food gathering, preparation and presentation, and on Rose’s experience as a community foodways practitioner. The publication will include a vocabulary of Makah foodways terms.Maurice Sadak Rouman, Seattle, Washington - $5,000
Support for Egyptian oud player Maurice Sadak Rouman to record a CD presenting his original compositions, as well as traditional Coptic and Pharaohs music. Recording a CD creates a permanent record of this musical tradition, and answers the popular demand for a recording of the artist’s work. Support will also allow Rouman to establish his own website where he can share his work with a wider audience, educate the public about traditional Middle Eastern music and the oud, and about his experiences as a musician and composer.Ratna Roy, Tumwater, Washington - $4,965
Support for East Indian Odissi dancer Ratna Roy to reconstruct and videotape two classical Odissi style dances from the Mahari (temple) dance tradition. The artist will draw upon a pre-recorded video and texts to recreate a solo dance and a group dance from the Chapo and Chandan Jatra Festivals in Puri, India. Documentation of the reconstruction process will allow for comparison with the original for authenticity. Following the funding period, Roy will travel with the resulting to India to record music from traditional sources. Ultimately, the dances will be performed for the public.Sophiline Cheam Shapiro, Long Beach, California - $5,000
Support for Cambodian classical dancer Sophiline Cheam Shapiro to choreograph and compose music for a new Cambodian classical dance piece entitled, The Rice Goddess Variations, invoking Preah Mae (Rice Goddess). The piece draws upon stories that describe the origin of rice, compiled through original field research. The dance will include many shorter sections, often repeating or diverging as the variations of the Preah Mae story repeat and diverge. The artist to devote two and a half months to reviewing the research, arranging and composing music, and choreographing, notating and recording the piece. She will conduct this work alone, as well as with her students in Long Beach.Ferenc Tobak, Fort Bragg, California - $2,000 (Travel Grant)
Support for Hungarian bagpiper and bagpipe maker Ferenc Tobak to travel to Moldavia, Romania for one month to complete his longstanding project documenting traditional Hungarian Csango bagpipers and their music. The artist is documenting the pipers and their communities through audio and video recordings. The advanced age of many of the pipers adds to the urgency of this project, which preserves a once-vibrant tradition. In addition to documenting these traditions, Tobak is drawing upon the material he gathers to develop his own repertoire and to preserve the Hungarian Csango bagpiping tradition, both in Hungary and in the U.S.Thirteen Grants Awarded: $60,809