Masters of Traditional Arts

Book excerpt: A compilation of America's premier folk artists and a celebration of their excellence and devotion to their crafts. Annotation. This two-volume set is a biographical reference covering the recipients of National Heritage Fellowships, who represent a broad cross-section of America. It provides an overview of the first 20 years of the program, chronicles the lives and careers of artist Fellows, and includes the first two annual recipients of the Bess Lomax Hawes Award. Organized alphabetically, each entry's form varies according to the extent of existing documentation as well as the circumstances of the individual artist and the tradition represented. Each includes a b&w photograph. Govenar (founder and president of Documentary Arts) has drawn extensively on program books, articles, books and other sources, and also provides anecdotes and personal stories gleaned from interviews.