Sights & SoundsJohn Alexander & Erin Simons
Through our 2024–2025 Folklife Apprenticeship Program, John Alexander has spent the last year teaching Erin Simons the craft of broom making.
Sights & SoundsLelia Nelson & April Hobson
What do prayer shawls and pageant gowns have in common? You’ll find both in the home workshop of Lelia Nelson, owner of Anointed Apparel and Accessories in Staunton, Virginia.
Sights & SoundsDena Jennings & Samaria Marley
Dena Jennings and her apprentice Samaria Marley have much more in common than their interest in building gourd banjos.
Sights & SoundsRemembering Danny Wingate
We remember Danny Wingate, a true renaissance man of the Appalachian region of Virginia. He was known for his woodworking and knowledge of mountain crafts.
EventSouthwest Virginia Artisan Conference
Presented by Round the Mountain Artisan Network, this three-day event will immerse you in a unique gathering that pays homage to the craftsmanship deeply rooted in the Appalachian region.
Sights & SoundsPerrin Creek Custom Boots
Steve Christo of Perrin Creek Custom Boots makes bold and colorful boots out of his Gloucester shop, made from trees felled on his land.
Sights & SoundsHoliday Hand Me Downs: A Clune Christmas
Virginia Folklife director Katy Clune shares her family’s Christmas traditions, passed down from her maternal grandmother, Margaret Anna Schumann.
Sights & SoundsBroomlore: Witches, Weddings & More
There are more histories tied to your everyday house broom than you may realize, as many contemporary broom makers will tell you.
Sights & SoundsBringing Bristol to the 2023 Richmond Folk Festival
Bristol, Virginia, was in lights this weekend in the Virginia Folklife Area of the 2023 Richmond Folk Festival.
Sights & SoundsA Family’s Drag Tradition in Bristol
Seventeen-year-old Anna Fleenor of Bristol first raced on a drag strip as part of a youth racing class. From the passenger seat, her father, Chris—a seasoned racer—offered tips to quell her nerves. But as soon as the light turned green, he gave Anna a command that she still hears in her head when it’s time to race: “Mash it.”
NewsAnnouncing the Virginia Folklife Area at the 2023 Richmond Folk Festival
We’re thrilled to share that our Virginia Folklife Area at this year’s Richmond Folk Festival will focus on the crafts, music, and culture of Bristol.
Sights & SoundsCelebration of Virginia Folklife at the Library of Virginia Recap
Last weekend, we presented a two-day “Celebration of Virginia Folklife” on July 7 and 8, 2023 at the Library of Virginia in Richmond, as part of the Library’s year-long 200th anniversary celebration.
