Congratulations to Richmond’s Legendary Ingramettes for receiving a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts—the highest honor bestowed on traditional artists by the federal government.
Fans of Virginia Folklife likely know (and love) the Ingramettes. In 2010 Maggie Ingram participated in our apprenticeship program, and the Legendary Ingramettes are regulars at the Richmond Folk Festival. In 2019, previous Virginia state folklorist Jon Lohman (Center for Cultural Vibrancy) organized a cultural exchange trip across Bulgaria and Serbia in 2019, and in 2020 Lohman produced their “Take a Look in the Book” album.
Speaking to the power, mastery, and grace of the Legendary Ingramettes, Lohman shared: “To me they perfectly embody the very essence of this honor, combining lifelong artistic mastery with deep and dedicated service to their community. They are nothing short of icons in the city, an inspiring force to anyone who has been fortunate to witness them perform, and a blessing to us all.”
Save the date: The Legendary Ingramettes will perform at the Richmond Folk Festival on Sunday, October 9, 2022!
“These honorees are not only sustaining the cultural history of their art form and of their community, they are also enriching our nation as a whole.”
National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD
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