Inaugural Central Appalachia Living Traditions
Emerging Traditional Artists
Program Grantees Announced
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Baltimore – September 15, 2026 – Mid Atlantic Arts’ Central Appalachian Living Traditions (CALT) initiative congratulates the inaugural recipients of the Emerging Traditional Artists Program (ETAP). ETAP provides Appalachian traditional artists with resources to take their creative practice to the next level. Artists should self-identify as in the early stages of their practice and demonstrate a strong commitment to and understanding of their traditional art form. Eligible artists must be based in Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)-designated counties in Ohio, Virginia, or West Virginia.
Program funds are intended to support an important learning opportunity for each awarded artist. Such learning opportunities may include: travel to meet with other practitioners or mentors, research related to their art form, engaging professional services, and more. Awarded artists also will participate in personalized, cohort-based professional development, including virtual workshops and an in-person gathering in Spring 2027.
A total of $50,000 will support 10 individual artists and practitioners from Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. The awarded artists are:
Ohio
- Nicole Musgrave (Gloucester, OH) – Quilter and folklorist
Virginia
- Miciah Connors (Nickelsville, VA) – Traditional greenwood artist
- Toni Doman (Bristol, VA) – Weaver and fiber artist
West Virginia
- Dante Bowman (Edmond, WV) – Greenwood artist
- Margaret Bruning (Elkins, WV) – Farm-to-fiber weaver
- Lu Crochet (Edmond, WV) – Hide tanner and fiber artist
- Aristotle Jones (Osage, WV) – Singer, songwriter, storyteller, and Appalachian Soul Man
- Isaac McCarthy (Gerrardstown, WV) – Neo-traditional stringband musician and educator
- Jesse Milnes (Elkins, WV) – Appalachian musician
- Domenica Queen (Elkins, WV) – Creative re-use fiber artist
View more details about the program and all grantees on our website.
The grant review process was overseen by a panel of traditional arts professionals, artists, and practitioners with deep roots and experience in Appalachia. The panelists were:
- Cassie Rosita Patterson (CA and OH) – Independent Folklorist
- Malcolm Smith (VA) – Writer, Musician, Storyteller, and Folklorist
- Rhiannon “Skye” Tafoya (NC) – Interdisciplinary Artist
Learn more about the program panelists here.
Image (Left to right, top to bottom): Nicole Musgrave, Credit: Fischer Wallace; Miciah Connors, Credit: John Ryan Lee; Toni Doman, Credit: Billie Wheeler; Aristotle Jones, Credit: Rafael Barker Photography; Margaret Bruning, Credit: Poe Run Craft and Provisions; Lu Crochet, Credit: Courtesy of the Artist; Jesse Milnes, Credit: Randy Bozarth, Deep End Sessions; Dante Bowman, Credit: Lu Crochet; Isaac McCarthy, Credit: Lauren Bowlin; Domenica Queens, Credit: Elisa Cevallos, South Breeze Photography.
About Mid Atlantic Arts
Mid Atlantic Arts supports artists, presenters, and organizations through unique programming, grant support, partnerships, and information sharing. Created in 1979, Mid Atlantic Arts is aligned with the region’s state arts councils and the National Endowment for the Arts. We combine state and federal funding with private support from corporations, foundations, and individuals to nurture diverse artistic expression while connecting people to meaningful arts experiences within our region and beyond. To learn more about Mid Atlantic Arts visit www.midatlanticarts.org.
Contact:
Mackenzie Kwok
Communications and Social Media Manager
Mid Atlantic Arts
mkwok@midatlanticarts.org
410.539.6656 x123