Washington State Folklife Council

The Washington State Folklife Council was founded in 1983 in Yakima, Washington. The purpose of the research project was founded upon the historical significance, preservation and presentation of the numerous cultural arts in Washington State. The researchers sought artists throughout Washington seeking examples of art and artists who embraced their communities' folk aesthetic. The results are an impressive accumulation of art, history and of the talented creators who have supported the Washington State Folklife Council by agreeing to have their work photographed and the history that accompanies their art.

With matching grants from the Washington State Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts--Folk Arts Division, and the Washington Commission for the Humanities. Presidents of the Folklife Council's Board have been Frank Ferrel (1983-84), Penn Fix 1984-86), Richard Scholtz (1986-87), Henry-York Steiner (1987-88), and Diane M. Ellison (1988-to the publication of the "Folk Arts of Washington State 1989).

Board of Directors: 1989 Washington State Folklife Council Board of Directors consist of the following individuals: Diane M. Ellison, President/Chair, Aberdeen; Henry-York Steiner, Ph. D., Vice-Chair, Cheney; Scott Nagel, Treasurer, Seattle; Marlys Swenson Waller, Recording Secretary, Lopez Island; Carlton Appelo, Deep River; Marjorie Bangs Bennett, Ph. D., Bainbridge Island; Marilyn Bentz, Ph. D., Manchester; Susan Dwyer-Shick, Ph. D., J.D., Parkland; Lynne Masland, Bellingham; Representative Dick Nelson, Seattle; Alice Nugent, Seattle; Henning Sehmsdorf, Ph. D., Seattle; Dell Skeels, Ph. D., Seattle; Bud Stewart, Royal City; Agnes Tulee, Toppenish; Susan Winegardner, Spokane; and Nancy Worden, Seattle.

Publication Committee The Washington State Folklife Council Publications Committee consist of the following individuals: Patsy Callaghan, D. A.; Henning Sehmsdorf, Ph. D.; Dell Skeels, Ph. D.; Henry-York Steiner, Ph. D.; Nancy Worden; Scott Nagel; and Marlys Swenson Waller.

From the guide to the Washington State Folklife Council Collection, 1983-1990, (The Evergreen State College Archives and Special Collections)