Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee announced the selection of recipients of the Florida Folk Heritage Award.
“We are honored to recognize these individuals for their commitment to fostering Florida’s folk arts and cultural heritage,” said Secretary Lee. “Their contributions have led to a greater appreciation and recognition of the importance of traditional arts and artists in our state.”
Established in 1985, the program is modeled after the National Heritage Fellowships. The Florida Folk Heritage Award honors individuals whose knowledge of and efforts on behalf of Florida folk arts, folklore and folklife have advanced the appreciation and conservation of Florida's dynamic folk cultural heritage and recognizes the outstanding stewardship of Florida’s living traditions.
Florida Folk Heritage Award Recipients
Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee is pleased to announce the selection of The Florida Highwaymen, The Lee Boys, and Hunter Hill for the Florida Folk Heritage Award.
The Florida Highwaymen
The twenty-six African American landscape painters known as The Florida Highwaymen, led by Alfred Hair, created opportunity with artwork in Central Florida during the ‘50s and ‘60s, with their now-iconic paintings displayed in homes and art galleries featuring Florida’s unique backroads, scenery and natural views.
The Lee Boys
Formed as a family band at the House of God Church in the South Florida community of Perrine, The Lee Boys has become a pre-eminent touring ensemble, taking on the road their modern expression of Sacred Steel. Over the past 20 years, The Lee Boys have released four albums, packed prestigious venues, and spread their music and message beyond the church pews through residencies, recording studios and concerts across America.
Hunter Hill
Hunter Hill is one of the few-remaining keepers of the 20th of May drumbeat, a drum pattern he learned 70 years ago during the annual Emancipation Day celebrations held in Leon County since 1867. Mr. Hill has taken care to make younger generations aware of the drumbeat and is participated in the 2019 Folklife Apprenticeship Program in order to pass it on as originally performed.
An award ceremony for the recipients will take place Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 4 p.m. at The Marriott at Cascade Park Ballroom in Tallahassee in partnership with the annual Word of South Festival.
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