Honoring people who have drawn on the power of community-based folk arts and cultural traditions to advance social change in our region (and beyond), the 2015 Folk Arts and Social Change Awards recognize how decades of work have built new futures for all of us: creating community well-being, upending racism and injustice, building self-determination, equity and power. This year's awards go to Dorothy Gordon Wilkie & John Wilkie, Artistic and Musical Director of Kùlú Mèlé African Dance & Drum Ensemble and Kormassa Bobo, Liberian dancer.
Dorothy Gordon Wilkie and John Wilkie
Dorothy Wilkie
is a dancer, choreographer and teacher, who dw 2specializes in dances of West Africa and the African Diaspora. She has studied in Cuba, Ghana, Guinea and Senegal, and has developed a particularly deep knowledge of African Cuban dance and spiritual practice. As Artistic director of Kùlú Mèlé African Dance Ensemble, she teaches dance to youth in Philadelphia's underserved communities and has recived numerous awards for her work. John Wilkie
started playing conga drums in the 1950s. A jwmember of Kùlú Mèlé since the 1970s, John now serves as music director of the ensemble and also performs with Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra. Many of Dorothy’s and John’s former students, dancers and drummers have gone on to found their own companies or perform professionally; many credit Dorothy and John with having inspired them to delve into African-rooted movement and music traditions, connecting those practices with efforts toward social justice. Dorothy served on the Folklore Project’s board for many years; John was a PFP artist-in-residence; and we’ve collaborated with Kùlú Mèlé on numerous community-based programs over the decades.About the award: Ella Kong Torrey helped PFP to get our first grant. Even more important, she encouraged us to imagine possibilities and to follow dreams which could open new pathways. Founder of the Pew Fellowships in the Arts and many other innovative programs, she valued and embodied generosity of spirit.
Kormassa Bobo
Born into a family known for its skill in dance and music, Kormassa kormassaBobo has been dancing since she was a child with her father’s troupe where she was singled out to join the Liberian National Cultural Troupe. There, Kormassa mastered traditional dances of Liberia’s sixteen ethnic groups. She first came to the US in 1984 with National Troupe, moved to Philadelphia permanently in 1985, and has performed with Liberian dance companies across the continent. A skilled teacher as well as a dynamic performer, Kormassa has dedicated years to training young Liberians who arrived here as refugees. She also took fellow professional Liberian dancers and musicians under her wing, re-connecting them to one another and introducing them to local resources. Kormassa participated in PFP’s “Philly Dance Africa” and school residency programs and our Liberian Culture Camp. She was integral in developing our 2012-2013 Liberian Community Performance Project.
About the award: Channavy Koung was a wonderful young artist in her family's Cambodian music ensemble, dedicated to carrying on valued artistic traditions. She and her family inspired PFP's early work with local Cambodians, and modeled how persistent devotion to cultural practices, over the long haul, can create hope and possibilities.
Join us in celebrating Dottie, John and Kormassa at this year's birthday bash!
PFP 28th BIRTHDAY BASH
June 5, 6 PM- 9 PM
Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine Street, Philadelphia
Folk Arts and Social Change Awards to local visionaries and artists. Great food, drink and company. Save the date! Become an event sponsor and invest in PFP's future! Call 215.726.1106 for more information. Sponsored by PECO
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