The Southern Maryland Folklife Center, located at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, was recently awarded $82,500 by the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) which will support the center as it continues to expand its programming.
The Folklife Center is dedicated to support activities that identify, document, or present the living cultural traditions of Maryland’s diverse communities.
Co-director of the Center and Associate Professor of English Jerry Gabriel said he and the team of staff with the Center are grateful for MSAC’s continued support. “We're excited about continuing this work and expect to be able to make an even bigger impact in the future,” he said. Established in 2021, the Center has offered a variety of workshops and programs that showcase traditional art forms and help to preserve the unique heritage of the Southern Maryland Region, including St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert Counties.
Gabriel co-directs the Center with Nell Elder, executive director of the St. Mary’s County Arts Council. Christa Cassaza serves as program manager. “We've been slowly building this Center so that it can be a sustainable foundation for traditional arts in Southern Maryland, going forward,” said Gabriel. “Our hope is to be able to expand the public's exposure to the traditional arts, generally, and, at the same time, we want to expand what we mean by ‘the public,’” he added, explaining that the Center is looking to represent and connect to all of Southern Maryland by having events in neighboring counties and connecting with various arts organizations in the region.
