Annual Report 2004-05 Virginia Foundation for the Humanities Virginia Foundation for the Humanities Annual Report 2004-05
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annual report 2004-05 virginia foundation for the humanities virginia foundation for the humanities annual report 2004-05 president’s letter ...................2 programs and projects ........4 grants...................................14 vfh fellows ...........................20 donors and sponsors .........21 financial statement .............28 vfh board and staff .............29 “ Leonardo da Vinciinvented the parachute before anyone could that is creative thinking.” fly- — Michael Gelb, University of Virginia, Batten Fellow, “With Good Reason” Guest. 1 virginia foundation for the humanities annual report 2004-05 When was the last time you fl ew a kite? This year’s cover reminds me of VFH also views its participation in marking Jamestown’s 2007 flying kites as a child with my father and later with my children. commemoration as an opportunity to tell Virginia stories My son would watch and talk for hours, inspired by flights of that capture Virginia’s entrepreneurial history. Both the imagination. Kite flying spans generations, and most of us have encyclopedia and the anniversary will encourage Virginians a memory of the first time we tangled one in a tree, or better, and the world to visit and experience Virginia, either in person successfully launched one into the wind. or through the web. Like kite flyers, we at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities As we approach the 2007 observance and the introduction sometimes run against the wind to explore new horizons. of the encyclopedia, VFH remains committed to the guiding In these days of diminishing resources, organizations must principle that Virginia’s history should include as many develop an entrepreneurial spirit to thrive. We encourage perspectives as possible. We will not ignore nor discount the innovative, visionary thinking and — occasionally — risk-taking painful stories of Virginia’s past, nor will we dismiss issues in to bring ideas to life. the present or concerns for the future. Using the humanities as a vehicle for community development is To create programs that bring the humanities more fully into one example of entrepreneurial spirit. In Martinsville, Virginia, Virginia’s public life, we will continue to focus on our strengths and communities along the Eastern Shore, VFH is helping areas in African American and Virginia Indian history and heritage, define themselves as unique places with valuable Virginia folklife and traditional culture, and books and literacy. The humanities qualities — qualities that draw people together and This is our commitment to the future. help us to study the attract new growth. In Martinsville, we are working past, prepare for the With wind, for the otherwise earthbound with local organizations to revitalize Fayette Street, fl ight is achievable future, and create components of a kite — wood, paper, and twine. Likewise, a once vibrant African American neighborhood an environment funding and encouragement from VFH give and business district. Vintage photographs are where new ideas ideas flight. That’s why we remain are encouraged and being collected and preserved, and extensive oral dedicated to bringing the spirit and new ways of thinking histories are being recorded and documented. diversity of Virginia culture to citizens are possible. The Along the Eastern Shore similar cooperation of the Commonwealth. humanities give between cultural groups and other institutions is wings to ideas. occurring. With VFH funding, the Chincoteague Island Library initiated a long-term effort to document, through research and the collection of oral histories, the disappearing cultural traditions Robert C. Vaughan, III of this wind-swept island. We look to extend President community development projects in Southside and Southwest Virginia, while maintaining our close ties to Tidewater, Northern, and Central Virginia. The Virginia Encyclopedia, a one-of-a-kind online resource about Virginia, is another example of an entrepreneurial effort by the VFH. Thanks to seed-funding provided by knowledge shared the Commonwealth of Virginia, a grant from the National is knowledge Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and a private donor, VFH will launch this online guide to coincide with the 400th preserved. anniversary of Jamestown. 2 3 virginia foundation for the humanities annual report 2004-05 The VFH Grant Program spans reading and “Imagination literacy, science and technology, African American heritage, media and culture, student and teacher is the highest kite outreach, Virginia folklife and traditional one can grants culture, and historical preservation, to fly.” name only a few kinds of programs. VFH grants — Lauren Bacall fund lectures, websites, concerts, documentaries, museum displays, and much more. In Irvington, the Steamboat Era Museum is collecting oral histories “Our first VFH grant represents about steamboats in the Tidewater. With VFH funds, a seal of approval in jump- the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum is creating starting our organization’s an exhibit on the history of apple production in the cross-cultural media exchange programs,” “Funding from VFH county and the changing character assures that teachers of Virginia’s rural life. This year, VFH — Rose Nan-Ping Chen, can teach Shakespeare also supported a traveling exhibit on Founder and President, in their classrooms,” the life and achievement of Mary Ellen The Rose Group for Cross- Cultural Understanding, a — Dan Layman, Henderson, an influential educator non-profit organization that Interim Development and advocate for civil rights in Fairfax promotes understanding Director, Shenandoah County; research and production costs and goodwill between the Shakespeare’s American for a pictorial history prepared by at- U.S. and China Shakespeare Center risk youth about 18 coal camps that once flourished in Wise County; and a documentary on the experiences of the Vietnamese American community in Northern Virginia. Nine grants were also awarded in March to Virginia Indian tribes and inter-tribal organizations, including awards for the development of a documentary film on the history of the Commonwealth’s tribes and cultures, the establishment of a Virginia Indian Heritage Trail, and the creation of a brochure on the history and current status of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe. See page 14 for a complete listing of this year’s grants. 4 5 virginia foundation for the humanities annual report 2004-05 2004-2005 Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program Participants Celebrating traditional music, dance, and craft is pivotal Master Artist..Norman Amos Master Artist.. Clyde Jenkins to the mission of the Virginia Folklife Program at Apprentice .... John Buck Apprentice .... Sammy Cave the VFH. To nurture the next generation of folklife Pittsylvania County, Virginia Page County, Virginia Snake Cane Carving White Oak Basket Making artisans, this year the Folklife Apprentice folklifeProgram supported nine apprentices in Master Artist.. Broto Roy Master Artist.. such diverse skills as Tabla drumming, old-time banjo Apprentice .... Sunil Chugh Ofosuwa Abiola-Tamba playing, and old-order Mennonite quilting. Fairfax County, Virginia Apprentice .... Monica James Tabla Drumming Newport News, Virginia Master Irish flute maker Patrick Olwell of Nellysford, Traditional African Dance Virginia designs Irish wooden flutes which are coveted Master Artist.. Patrick Olwell by some of Ireland’s finest musicians. Apprentice .... Aaron Olwell Master Artist.. Gerald Anderson Nelson County, Virginia Apprentice .... Spencer Strickland Patrick works with numerous students Traditional Irish Flute Making Grayson County, Virginia to pass on his art, but none show the Mandolin Building dedication to the craft better than his Master Artist.. Mike Seeger son and apprentice, Aaron. (A com- Apprentice .... Seth Swingle plete listing of 2004-2005 Apprentice Rockingham County, Virginia Old-Time Banjo Program participants is on page 6). A goal of the Folklife Program is Master Artist.. Mary Beery Apprentice .... Joan Knight to increase public exposure and Apprentice .... Mollie Beery interpretation opportunities for Rockingham County, Virginia Above: Patrick Olwell, Virginia’s rich folk traditions. This Old-Order Mennonite Quilting Master Irish flute maker year, VFH funded the Carter Family Master Artist.. Brenda Joyce Traditional Music Preservation Project Apprentice .... Shannon Joyce By lifting up in Hiltons, Virginia, recognized as one Patrick County, Virginia history and stories, of the most important venues for the Flatfooting Virginians gain a performance of traditional acoustic better understanding music native to the Central Appalachian of the importance region. The Folklife Program produced Pictured: Norman Amos, of traditions and its first CD featuring traditional master carver and his the challenges of musicians from Southwest Virginia. apprentice, John Buck preserving them in The Folklife Program is also a partner our communities. The Virginia Folklife Apprentice- in Richmond’s three-year presentation ship Program showcases folklife of the National Folk Festival, a national multicultural artisans committed to preserving festival to be held on the banks of the James River in old and new Virginia traditions. October 2005, 2006, and 2007. Pittsylvania‘s Norman Amos never dreamed his childhood hobby of whittling would someday lead to a display of his hand-carved snake walking sticks at the Corcoran Museum of Art in Washington, D.C. Patrick Olwell photo courtesy of Morgan Miller. 6 7 virginia foundation for the humanities annual report