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2002 MICHIGAN HERITAGE AWARDS

Since 1985, the Michigan State University Museum’s Michigan Traditional Arts Program has recognized Michigan tradition bearers with a special Michigan Heritage Award, honoring them for maintaining with excellence and authenticity their family and community folk traditions. They bring honor not only to themselves but also to their communities, families, and forbearers. The awards bring recognition and honor to traditional artists who might otherwise go unnoticed by the larger community. Nominations for the awards are sought each fall and are reviewed by a panel of specialists each spring.
Over the years, the honorees have been drawn from all corners of the state and reflect the great diversity of skills, ethnicities, and backgrounds of Michiganders. Some of the awardees have also been honored as recipients of the National Heritage Fellowships given by the National Endowment for the Arts. This year, the awardees, listed below, will be honored at a ceremony, Saturday, August 10, at 6:00 P.M. on the Abbott Road Stage at the Great Lakes Folk Festival. (Click on their name for more information about each)

Lois Bettesworth, Flushing, Michigan

Old-time fiddler

Paul Lahti, L’Anse, Michigan
Rag rug weaver

Giovanni "Johnny" Battista Perona, Calumet, Michigan
Bones player

Adell Beatrice Raisanen, Hartland, Michigan
Rag rug weaver

Mary Schafer, Flushing, Michigan
Quilter, quilt educator, and quilting historian