Across the country, in small towns and big cities alike, artists are keeping America’s traditions alive. They pass down songs learned at a grandparent’s knee. They shape metal, stitch cloth, carve wood, and move to rhythms carried across generations. Their work tells the story of who we are.
The National Heritage Fellowship is the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts. Presented by the National Endowment for the Arts, it recognizes artists whose lives and work reflect the cultural roots of their communities. These are tradition bearers—men and women who have devoted years to learning their craft and sharing it with others.
This award celebrates more than individual achievement. It honors the living traditions that shape our national story. From community festivals to ranch workshops, neighborhood dance gatherings to concert halls, these art forms connect us to our history and guide the next generation. The fellows remind us that America’s cultural heritage is not just remembered—it is practiced every day.
The Story of Our Heritage tribute video series invites viewers to step into the world of each 2025 Heritage Fellow—into their workshops, rehearsal spaces, community halls, and hometown streets. Filmed where they live and work, each video offers a personal look at the places that shape their art and the communities that sustain it. Through their voices and surroundings, we see not only what they create, but why it matters.
Watch the full series or click the links below for individual films.
Carmen Baron
Mexican Folk Costume Maker and Dancer (Tucson, Arizona)
Carmen Baron creates handcrafted folk costumes rich in color and detail, then brings them to life through the movement of traditional dance. Each stitch and every step reflect stories passed down over generations. Her work does more than honor the past—it keeps folklórico alive and strengthens the cultural traditions it represents, giving young dancers a proud and lasting connection to their heritage.
“Folklórico is my life. Making the dancers’ costumes, to me, it is like part of myself.”
Peniel Guerrier
Haitian Dancer, Drummer, and Educator (Astoria, New York)
Peniel Guerrier brings Haitian history and tradition to life through powerful dance and drum. The steady rhythm and deliberate movement reflect generations of teaching and belief. Each beat carries meaning, and each step is shaped by faith and community. His work is not simply performed—it is lived, shared, and passed on.
“My mission is just to represent the Haitian dance, to create something unique.”
Adrienne Reiko Iwanaga
Bon Odori Dancer, Teacher, and Choreographer (Saratoga, California)
Adrienne Reiko Iwanaga carries forward the tradition of Bon Odori, a Japanese community dance rooted in remembrance. During Obon, families and neighbors gather to honor those who came before them, expressing gratitude through shared movement. As a dancer, teacher, and choreographer, she guides others through steps that are graceful, steady, and welcoming to all. Her leadership keeps this tradition in motion, ensuring that each generation not only learns the dance, but understands the meaning behind it.
“The importance of teaching younger generations is that you hope the tradition continues, but it doesn’t have to continue in a fixed way. It should evolve as with anything else.”
Ernie Marsh
Bit & Spur Maker and Silversmith (Lovell, Wyoming)
Ernie Marsh shapes metal into finely crafted bits and spurs that reflect both function and artistry. As a silversmith, he draws on the working traditions of the American West, where tools must be strong, balanced, and built to last. His detailed engraving and careful design turn everyday ranch equipment into enduring works of art. By passing down his skills, he keeps a proud craft tradition alive for a new generation of makers.
“It’s more than just historical nostalgia, making bits and spurs…I think there’s always gonna be a need for it.”
Edward Poullard
Creole Musician (Beaumont, Texas)
Edward Poullard’s workshop is lined with a lifetime collection of accordion parts—reeds, bellows, keys, and worn wood carefully saved over the years. From these pieces, he builds his own precision instruments, shaping each one by hand to produce the strong, steady sound that defines the Creole tradition. It is careful, patient work, rooted in experience and guided by ear. Inside this space, surrounded by tools and tradition, viewers glimpse the quiet craftsmanship behind a joyful and enduring sound.
“It’s the music of my family. Creole music has a lot of heartfelt stuff going on. It’s just in your blood.”
Steven Tamayo (Sicangu Lakota)
Traditional Lakota Artist and Educator (Omaha, Nebraska)
Steven Tamayo honors Lakota tradition through art, education, and cultural leadership. His work includes creating traditional items like painted buffalo robes
that archive the history of Lakota people, and teaching others about their meaning and history. Grounded in respect for his ancestors, he shares knowledge that strengthens identity and community. Through both his art and his guidance, he helps younger generations understand the value of their heritage and carry it forward with pride.
“Art is my savior. My reconnection to who I am. It opens the discussion of our culture, because you should understand who you are, first and foremost.”
Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America
Men’s Choral & Bandura Ensemble (Detroit, Michigan)
The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America lifts its voices in powerful harmony, accompanied by the resonant strings of the bandura. As a men’s choral ensemble, the group preserves a musical tradition that has endured through hardship and change. Their performances blend history, faith, and national memory into stirring song. Through performance, they ensure that this treasured art form remains strong for audiences today and for generations to come.
“Ukrainian poets often equate the bandura to being the soul of the nation.”
Together, these artists tell the story of our nation through craft, movement, music, and memory. Their work reminds us that heritage is not only preserved—it is practiced, shared, and strengthened in communities across America.
All photos by Hypothetical.
