2003 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellows Honored in Capitol Hill Ceremony

Sixteen Artists Receive Nation's Highest Honor in the Folk and Traditional Arts

September 5, 2003

		Contact: Victoria Hutter 202-682-5570

Washington, D.C. - National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia and Members of Congress will present the 2003 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowships in a Capitol Hill ceremony on Thursday, September 18 at 10:00 a.m. in the Cannon Caucus Room (Room 345) in the Cannon House Office Building located at 1st Street and Independence Ave.

Eleven fellowships representing the nation's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts will be 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)

Thursday's ceremony is supported by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

Please see a listing of all Heritage recipients.

National Heritage Fellowships Nomination Information

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