The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center will host their annual Awards Ceremony on August 23 at 2:00 pm. The awards honor local artists, scholars, and performers who are stewards of traditional culture. Following the awards ceremony will be an open house from 3:00-4:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public. It will take place at the Folklife Centerlocated on Squibb Wilson Boulevard on Fairmont State University's campus.

"The Folklife Center awards have been on hold since the pandemic," said Folklife Center Director Dr. Lydia Warren. "Knowing how important traditional arts are to the community, we wanted to bring the awards back in a way that not only honors the awardees but also allows students and the community to participate in traditional activities."

This year, the awards will honor Lynette Swiger and Patricia Harper, two hammered dulcimer players carrying on the legacy of master traditional old-time music teacher Patty Looman's musical style. Swiger and Harper learned from Patty Looman and facilitated the donation of her cassettes, sheet music, photos, and letters to the Folklife Center's archive.

The duo will play two songs in the Patty Looman style. A posthumous award will be given to Fairmont State Professor Dr. Stephen Smigocki. Dr. Smigocki was a beloved local musician and visual artist and often played at the Folklife Center. Musician and festival organizer Robert Lackey will also be honored posthumously. Lackey was instrumental in moving the Wartz 'n All Dulcimer Jam to the Folklife Center, where it now occurs twice a year.

The open house from 3:00-4:00 pm includes refreshments, live music by the Kennedy Barn String Band, square dancing called by former Fairmont State University Artist-in-Residence Annick Odom, clogging taught by Fairmont State Professor Abby Chapman, and crafting with Sherry Harper McCombs. 

To learn more about the Frank and Jane Gabor Folklife Center and their upcoming events, click here: https://www.fairmontstate.edu/folklife/default.aspx