Discover one hundred of the greatest folk artists practicing in the United States in Folk Masters: A Portrait of America. Over the past 25 years, photographer Tom Pich has traveled the country to the homes and studios of recipients of the National Endowment for the Arts' National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor given to folk and traditional artists in the US. His portraits give us a glimpse into their art, their process, and their culture. While each image tells a story on its own, Barry Bergey, former Director of Folk and Traditional Arts at the National Endowment for the Arts, provides further insight into the lives of each featured artist as well as the remarkable stories behind each photograph. Folk Masters honors again the extraordinary women and men who simultaneously take the traditional arts to new heights while ensuring their continuation from generation to generation.

About the Author

Tom Pich is a professional photographer who has traveled across America for the past 25 years photographing the extraordinary recipients of the National Heritage Fellowships. His portraits have been exhibited at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Museum of the American Indian, The Russell Office Building of the U.S. Senate and Library of Congress.
Barry Bergey was the Director of Folk and Traditional Arts at the National Endowment for the Arts, recently retiring after a career of nearly 30 years at the agency. His involvement in international arts policy includes consultation with UNESCO, the Organization of American States, the World Bank, the U.S. Information Agency, and the Department of State.

Reviews

"This beautiful, informative, and exquisitely produced book features 100 extraordinary traditional artists from across America, each a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship-the nation's highest award for excellence in the folk and traditional arts. Folk Masters is a stunning tribute to the great diversity of cultures and artistic traditions that enrich our country."-Marjorie Hunt, Folklife Curator, Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
"Folk Masters documents and honors the extraordinary women and men who take traditional arts to new heights while also ensuring their continuation from generation to generation."-The Library of Congress
" "Folk Masters is visual, emotional, and inspirational. Here is a portrait of America many Americans never see and may not believe actually exists. Pich and Bergey have done an admirable job of conveying their vision."-Journal of Folklore Research
"These two folk art enthusiasts set out to document the richness of America's cultural landscape not just to preserve that legacy, but also to inspire future generations."-Whurk

Book Information
ISBN 9780253032324
Author Barry Bergey
Format Hardback
Page Count 264
Imprint Indiana University Press
Publisher Indiana University Press
Weight(grams) 1565g