Secretary Detzner Announces 2019 Folklife Apprenticeship Program Artists

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today the selection of four traditional artists to serve in the 2019 Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program. The chosen master artists are Ann Yao (Orlando), Chinese guzheng; Elton Noble (Ft. Pierce), Sacred Steel guitar; Darlene Ramirez (Kissimmee), Puerto Rican mundillo; and George Robinson (Melbourne), Balsawood Surfboard shaping and design.

“Since the Folklife Apprenticeship Program was established in 1984, it has funded 191 successful folk arts apprenticeships,” said Secretary Detzner. “This year’s participants reflect Florida’s wealth of traditional arts and diverse cultural heritage.”

Chinese guzheng master artist Ann Yao

The Department of State’s Folklife Apprenticeship Program fosters the preservation of Florida folk and traditional arts by supporting masters who pass their knowledge, skills, stories and techniques on to apprentices. Traditional arts are expressions of shared community identity that reflect the values and aesthetics of the groups that practice them. Traditional arts include a wide range of creative forms such as custom, belief, technical skill, language, art, music, dance and ritual. These arts are typically learned informally and are maintained and perpetuated without formal instruction. As part of the program, master artists work intensively with one or more apprentices during a period of up to eight months. Program support consists of honoraria to the masters and apprentices to cover expenses for lessons and supplies.

To apply for the Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program, master artists should be known in their community as expert practitioners of a living traditional art form that is considered a valued aspect of that community’s folklife. The Florida Folklife Program defines folklife as the living traditions that are currently practiced and passed down by word of mouth, imitation, or observation over time and space within groups or communities. Each apprentice must have demonstrated an aptitude for, and a commitment to, the art form which he or she wishes to study and an involvement with the cultural community that sustains the tradition. The next deadline for applications to the Folklife Apprenticeship Program is May 15, 2019.

The Florida Folklife Program is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts’ Folk and Traditional Arts Program. To apply for the Folklife Apprenticeship Program, visit our website or contact the Florida Folklife Program at 850.245.6427.

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About the Florida Department of State’s Florida Folklife Program

The Florida Folklife Program, a component of the Florida Department of State's Division of Historical Resources, documents and presents Florida’s folklife, folklore and folk arts. The program coordinates a wide range of activities and projects designed to increase the awareness of Floridians and visitors alike about Florida’s traditional culture. Established in 1979 by the legislature to document and present Florida folklife, the program is one of the oldest state folk arts programs in the nation. For more information, visit flheritage.com/preservation/folklife.