Heritage Area

Albert Music Hall

Albert Music Hall is a 350-seat concert hall located in Waretown, New Jersey. Since 1974, visitors and musicians have gathered at the hall for live Bluegrass, Country, Folk, Americana, Old Timey & Pinelands Music and to jam in the Pickin' Shed every Saturday night. Albert Music Hall is run by the Pinelands Cultural & Historical Preservation Society (PCS), an all-volunteer, non-profit historical society dedicated to the preservation of the Pinelands Cultural Heritage.

Heritage Area Activation:
Our table will display historical Information about Albert Music Hall and include interactive demonstrations on homemade instruments from the Pine Barrens. We will also give away free tickets to upcoming shows at Albert Hall & sell a few branded items such as books, tote bags, and tshirts.

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Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre

Through dance, drama, and music, Alborada Spanish Dance Theater reveals the many diverse and historical threads comprising Spanish culture’s multicultural fabric. Entertaining and educational, Alborada’s repertoire runs the artistic gamut from Spanish Flamenco and traditional dances to Hispanic, Celtic, and Moorish cultural influences and beyond.

Heritage Area Activation:
Alborada will demonstrate and perform several traditional Spanish folk dances.

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Andina Roots

Andina Roots is an Andean folk ensemble dedicated to sharing the rich musical heritage of South America’s Andean region. Through the use of traditional instruments and storytelling, the group creates immersive performances that transport audiences across time and geography, creating a unique experience in both entertainment and cultural education while fostering meaningful connections with diverse communities.

Heritage Area Activation:
Jose Leonardo Martinez and Patricio Batallas are Ecuadorian musicians celebrated for their multi-instrumental artistry. They will perform Andean songs and original Ecuadorian compositions, accompanied by live dance demonstrations. They will also introduce the audience to native instruments like the zampoña, charango, and bombo.

Chris Rockwell

Zine-maker Chris Rockwell to talk about the “zine scene” in New Jersey and its roots in folk art. A zine (pronounced ZEEN) is short for "fanzine" and is usually a small-batch, independently published work that circulates in small batches. Chris traces how zines operate as a contemporary form of folk expression: handmade, community-driven, and passed hand-to-hand.

Heritage Area Activation:
Chris will have a hands on workstation for festival goers to create NJ themed Zines, and including a special session on:  Diner Menu Zines - what are foods that mean things to you?

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Creative Mithila featuring Nupur Nishith

Creative Mithila was founded by Nupur Nishith to preserve, promote, and reimagine the traditional Mithila (Madhubani) art of India for global audiences. Through original artworks, exhibitions, public art, workshops, lectures, curatorial projects, and cultural collaborations, Creative Mithila bridges centuries-old artistic traditions with contemporary expression. Rooted in the rich heritage of the Mithila region, the initiative celebrates the storytelling, symbolism, and vibrant visual language of this unique folk art while exploring themes of culture, identity, nature, mythology, and modern life.

Heritage Area Activation:
Nupur will present an interactive demonstration of Mithila (Madhubani) Folk Art from India, a centuries-old tradition from the Mithila region known for intricate patterns, symbolic motifs, and storytelling through visual art. Visitors will explore how Mithila art reflects nature, festivals, spirituality, and everyday life. The experience will include hands-on participation, creating Mithila-inspired motifs and patterns. Children can enjoy a coloring activity introducing them to the unique visual language of this art.

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Csűrdöngölő Folk Ensemble

The Csűrdöngölő Folk Ensemble is a Hungarian folk-dance ensemble dedicated to learning, preserving and promoting the Hungarian culture through folk dance, music and costumes. The ensemble is rooted in the New York-New Jersey Hungarian-American community, and primarily operates in New Brunswick, NJ, which is the so-called hotbed for Hungarian-Americans. Over the years, Csűrdöngölő, whose members are first, second, and third generation Hungarian-Americans, has evolved into one of North America’s leading ethnic folk dance ensembles. The group performs at the local Hungarian national holiday commemorative programs, Hungarian-American social events such as charity balls, spring, harvest, and cultural festivals within NJ and NY communities. The Csűrdöngölő folk dance group represents one of the many cultures within the American society. Our purpose is the promotion of cultural diversity in the U.S. Our performances and dance events are open to everyone.

Heritage Area Activation:
Visitors will see artists demonstrate felt making from natural wool and discussion of garments and other traditional textiles.

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Down Jersey Folklife Center (WheatonArts)

The Down Jersey Folklife Center was initiated 1995, in conjunction with a major NJSCA initiative to create a state-wide Folklife Infrastructure. The Center has presented programming to diverse audiences at WheatonArts, in area schools, and at other sites. Public programs include exhibitions, demonstrations by artists/tradition bearers, performances, festivals, classes, training for educators and interns, lectures and seminars. While many presenting artists have come from eight southern New Jersey counties, the DJFC has also welcomed presenters from out of the area in an effort to give breadth and context to the programming presented, and to engage the ethnic groups and communities with whom we partner as audiences. Research and ongoing fieldwork projects provide the basis of virtually all programming.

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Folklife Center of Northern New Jersey

The Folklife Center of Northern NJ seeks to build awareness and appreciation of cultural traditions in ways that both support the region’s diversity, and celebrate folk and traditional arts passed down through generations. The Center continues to identify and document tradition bearers, occupational folklore and foodways in Paterson and other areas of Passaic County, as well as Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties..

Our support for local folklife events creates a platform for communities, stakeholders and folk artists that encourages interaction and dialogue about cultural traditions. The Center helps facilitate greater public
access to these rich cultural traditions via performances, exhibits, demonstrations and educational activities.

Heritage Area Activation:
The Folklife Center of Northern New Jersey will table with resources for artists and information on future folklife programming and opportunities.

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Hansel Tello

Hansel Tello is a textile master from the Nahua community of Mexico. He is involved in a project based in New Brunswick dedicated to keeping the culture alive through weaving, even while away from their home territory. Nahua textiles are deeply rooted in Mexican history, featuring vibrant colors, backstrap loom weaving, and detailed hand embroidery.

Heritage Area Activation:
Hansel Tello will share a colorful display of clothing and accessories, showcasing how textiles are traditionally made from natural fibers like cotton, maguey, and palm. He will also offer interactive demonstrations of how textiles are traditionally made on a loom. These garments and accessories serve as both everyday clothing and expressions of cultural identity
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Historic Raritan Village

Historic Raritan Village (previously East Jersey Old Town Village) is a collection of historic structures relocated to Johnson Park in Piscataway. The village comprises sixteen reconstructed and replica 18th and 19th-century structures representing architecture typical of farm and merchant communities once found in the Raritan Valley. The Village serves as the home base for Middlesex County’s History and Historic Preservation. Visitors today can explore the site and meet the historical interpreters who bring the Village to life through their historic trades and crafts.

Heritage Area Activation:
The Village will demonstrate corn shucking with an antique century husking machine. They will also distribute information about upcoming free County programming and opportunities.

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I Giullari Di Piazza featuring Alessandra Belloni

I Giullari di Piazza (The Players of the Square) was founded in 1980 by NJSCA Heritage Fellow Alessandra Belloni, award winning singer, percussionist, director, author and John La Barbera, award winning guitarist and composer. The ensemble blends traditional Italian folk music, theater, and dance, folk rituals and commedia dell’arte. After being in Residence at the NYU Italian department, they have been in residence for 30 years at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Their notable productions include Tarantella: Spider Dance, Stabat Mater, The Voyage of the Black Madonna, and La Cantata dei Pastori. The company has performed internationally at venues such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Symphony space, and has appeared on PBS, CNN, National Geographic, and documentaries. Their recordings, including Tarantata, have received critical acclaim from The New York & Los Angeles Times as best Italian albums of the year. Alessandra and John have been teaching ongoing classes of Italian Folk music since 1998. Alessandra is a 2026 NJ Heritage Fellow.

Heritage Area Activation:
I Giullari di Piazza will offer demonstrations of Southern Italian Folk Music and dance, highlighting the traditional dance of the tarantella and dances in honor of the Black Madonna from Naples.

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J.P. Hand

J.P Hand is a decoy carver from Cape May, New Jersey. Hand has been practicing duck decoy carving since the early 70s, taking up the craft when he was just a teenager. In the decades since, Hand has become a master of his craft. Utilizing Jersey white cedar, Hand uses traditional South Jersey techniques and tools that have been handed down from master artist to apprentice for over 300 years. His decoys have been sold across the globe and feature in many notable collections. Hand’s carvings have been displayed at Jersey’s own Tuckerton Seaport Museum, as well as the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art and the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum.

Heritage Area Activation:
J.P. Hand will display examples of his work and demonstrate his carving techniques. He will also offer his insights

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Kindred Forge Blacksmithing

Steve Quammen is a self-taught traditional blacksmith and founder of Kindred Forge. Steve is passionate about preserving traditional techniques and inspiring others to discover the craft. Joining him is Steve Ziga, founder of Two Cents Forge in PA, an accomplished blacksmith and Steve’s mentor. Together, they combine years of experience, technical knowledge, and a love of teaching to create engaging demonstrations that are both educational and entertaining for audiences of all ages.

Heritage Area Activation:
This interactive blacksmithing station connects visitors with one of humanity’s oldest and most influential crafts. The station includes historical and contemporary examples of forged work, blacksmithing tools, and opportunities to discuss the craft’s evolution and continued relevance, as well as the importance of preservation of the trade. The demonstrations celebrate both the history of the trade and the educational mission of the Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America (ABANA).

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Lazos America Unida

Lazos America Unida, based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, is dedicated to preserving and promoting Mexican and Native American cultural heritage. We organize vibrant cultural festivals, traditional dance and music programs, and art workshops that celebrate our rich traditions. Our educational outreach includes workshops and presentations on the history and culture of our communities, fostering understanding and inclusivity.

Heritage Area Activation:
Lazos will bring indigenous Kalpulli dancers to perform dance demonstrations and display handmade textile work.

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Lenapehoking Reestablishment Project

Started by citizens of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape, the Lenapehoking Reestablishment Project (LRP) is an entity working outside of the capacity of the originating Nation. It prides itself on existing for the people, by the people. Lenapehoking Reestablishment Project promotes Lenape awareness, support of tribal youth, & public relations. Lenapehokink (pronounced Lenapehoking, and thus reflected that way in the spelling of this project) is the name of the land of our (Lenape) ancestors, encompassing all of New Jersey, and parts of DE, PA, and NY.

Heritage Area Activation:
The LPR will exhibit several traditional Lenape art forms, including explanations of song structure and singing, dance demonstrations, ‘Community” peyote stitching, and water drum tying. They will also display a variety of contemporary art pieces crafted by community members, with some pieces available for sale.

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Mary May

Mary May has been weaving baskets for more than 35 years. A self-taught Folk Artist, Mary’s work seeks the connection between Folk Arts and history. Concentrating on South Jersey culture, Mary’s baskets blend cultural practices of the past with contemporary functionality. She combines traditional basketry materials such as ash splints with accents of leatherwork utilizing custom fit grade A leather.

Heritage Area Activation:
Mary will demonstrate her basket weaving techniques and present brief demonstrations of her process. She will also display a variety of her functional baskets and engage with the public to explore their uses and histories. Mary will also speak about her experience as a New Jersey State Council on the Arts Heritage Fellow and her lifetime of achievement in basket weaving and the preservation of South Jersey culture.

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Nick Cacio

Nick Cacio is completing his first full year as a flameworking artist at WheatonArts. He enjoys introducing others to flameworking because, while many people are familiar with traditional furnace glassblowing, they may not realize that flameworking allows an artist to work independently. His favorite part of the process is melting and experimenting with glass while exploring techniques and concepts he has developed through self-guided learning. Nick is grateful for the opportunities WheatonArts has provided him to express his creativity and continue growing as an artist.

Heritage Area Activation:
Nick will showcase live demonstrations of flameworking, a glassblowing technique where objects are formed from rods and tubes of glass. When these rods are heated, they become soft and malleable so the artist can manipulate them into a desired shape. The flame is controlled by a torch.

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North Jersey Blues Society & Blues Alive

The North Jersey Blues Society (NJBS) is a volunteer-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the heritage and preservation of blues music as a valued Indigenous American art form. Our mission is to unite the blues community in Northern New Jersey to collaborate and promote blues performances and educational programs.

The North Jersey Blues Society has partnered with Blues Alive bringing history and music to young artists. They tie African American studies, American history, and blues music together to empower and enlighten. ​​Their cutting-edge approach is the only of it’s kind in that they bring the elder musicians, our Griots, into the classroom to convey wisdom through the oral tradition. ​​​Their vision is to awaken the students as equal collaborators in the music they create together in the classroom. By providing workshops and performances they strive to entertain and engage with the student artists.

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Nrithyanjali Dance Ensemble

Nrithyanjali Dance Ensemble, under the artistic leadership of Ramya Ramnarayan, a 2025 NJSCA Heritage Fellow, is a curated collective dedicated to presenting the richness of the Bharatanatyam tradition. As part of the festival, the ensemble will present three segments: an interactive demonstration, an emerging artists performance, and a main stage presentation.

The demonstration introduces audiences to Bharatanatyam’s origins, technique, and expressive vocabulary, offering insight into its storytelling and abstract elements. This is followed by a performance from emerging dancers—students with over six years of training—who present authentic pieces from the traditional margam format, reflecting strong foundational discipline and artistic promise.

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Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission

The Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission is the primary leader and catalyst for the promotion of public interest in the arts and the preservation of cultural and heritage in Ocean County. The Commission and staff develop, foster and evaluate programs and services in the arts and history to further the growth and knowledge of the County’s cultural and heritage resources. The staff works directly with individuals, organizations and community groups, as well as municipal, state, regional and federal agencies to advance local arts and history activities.

Heritage Area Activation:
The Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission area will have interactive games and displays on South Jersey folklife including decoy carving, boat building, and basket making.

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Omar Edwards

Omar Edwards is an internationally acclaimed tap dancer and foot musician whose “tap music” has carried him to more than 20 countries and countless stages around the world. A master tap dancer who studied with legendary artists Jimmy Slyde and Savion Glover, Omar has developed a signature experience called DANCE MEDICINE—a journey through sound and movement that brings joy, healing, and connection to individuals and communities. Omar was named a 2026 New Jersey Heritage Fellow by the New Jersey State Council of the Arts for lifetime Achievement, artistic excellence, and contributions to New Jersey’s living cultural heritage

Heritage Area Activation:
Omar will talk about his experience as a prestigious New Jersey State Council on the Arts Heritage Fellow, as well as the importance of tap as a social and cultural art form. He will also offer tap dancing demonstrations and brief interactive sessions.

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Pallavi Kathak Ensemble

Pallavi Kathak Ensemble is a New Jersey-based collective of students/dancers under the artistic direction of Guru Pallavi Degwekar, dedicated to preserving and presenting the North Indian classical dance tradition of Kathak. Rooted in the Guru–Shishya (mentor–disciple) tradition, the ensemble combines rigorous training with engaging educational outreach, making Kathak accessible to audiences of all ages. Their work highlights the art form’s intricate footwork, rhythmic improvisation, expressive storytelling, and rich musical traditions while celebrating the cultural heritage from which Kathak emerged.

Heritage Area Activation:
Visitors will experience an interactive introduction to Kathak through live demonstrations and hands-on rhythmic activities. Ensemble members will demonstrate foundational footwork (tatkār), hand gestures (mudrā), rhythmic syllables (padhant), and storytelling techniques that are central to the Kathak tradition. Audience members will be invited to participate by learning simple rhythmic patterns and movement phrases while gaining insight into the history, music, costumes, and cultural significance of the art form.

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Patrick Gallagher

Patrick Gallagher is a professional artist, designer, sculptor and printmaker. He specializes in carved decorative architectural artifacts for public, private and spiritual environments. His expertise is in the Book of Kells style of Celtic Art. He has taught Celtic studio art at hundreds of venues including three Summer Celtic Art Workshops at the Oideas Gael School at Glencolumbkille in Ireland.

Heritage Area Activation:
Join Patrick Gallagher Celtic Artist as he takes you on a journey through the in's and out's of the Celtic Art Tradition. Experience the power and heritage of a symbolic design system that has survived virtually intact since the neolithic era of old Europe. Like a tree, Celtic Art is ever growing, evolving, accumulating and perfecting the images and spiritual concepts that connect us to the earth and our environment.

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Pepe Santana

Pepe is an Ecuadorian-born musician who incessantly continues to spread his life long passion, which not only resides in the realm of architecture, but also in the sacred world of the musical traditions of the Andes Mountains. Pepe plays over two dozen of native wind instruments (flutes, pan-pipes and whistles) and a variety of string instruments (charangos, mandolins, bandurria, tiple, guitars). His emphasis in ancient sounds and rhythms has defined him as a true spokesperson of traditional Andean Music. As a lover of his Culture and Folklore, investigator, architect, technical illustrator, and musical instrument-maker, Pepe works out of his home-studio in Stanhope, New Jersey

Heritage Area Activation:
Pepe will bring a variety of Andean instruments to display and demonstrate, introducing festival participants to the world of Andean folk music. He will also table as a New Jersey State Council on the Arts Heritage Fellow, lecturing intermittently throughout the day about his experience and body of work.

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Piney Tribe featuring William J. Lewis

William J. Lewis is a lifetime resident of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, as were multiple generations of his family before him. He is the author of New Jersey’s Lost Piney Culture (The History Press, 2021) Adventure with Piney Joe: Exploring the New Jersey Pine Barrens (South Jersey Culture and History Center, 2022), South Jersey Legends & Lore: Tales from the Pine Barrens and Beyond (The History Press, 2024), and reserving the Pines: New Jersey and the Origins of Environmentalism (The History Press, 2025). He shares his Piney adventures on social media networks under the name Piney Tribe. He preaches exploration without exploitation and teaches our children to be tomorrow’s environmental stewards. After proudly serving as a U.S. Marine, William went on to graduate from Rider University; he founded an environmental nonprofit to get kids outdoors and has served in leadership roles for both government and New Jersey nonprofit organizations.

Heritage Area Activation:
Lewis will answer questions about his work and research for various publications and will bring items/articles from Pine Barrens to display

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Raices Caribenas

Raíces Cultural Center, a NJ Nonprofit Corporation is dedicated to preserving cultural roots through the arts, history and ecology. Raíces works to preserve Caribbean and other cultures as reflected in music, art, dance, history and the natural arts. Raíces Cultural Center’s principal goal is the investigation, compilation, documentation, preservation, and dissemination of traditional Caribbean culture

Heritage Area Activation:
Raíces will table with an interactive display and opportunities for the public to learn about Caribbean dance, drumming, and other instruments. They will offer interactive demonstrations, hands-on and engaging artwork, photographs, and instruments accompanied by interpretive text. The group will demonstrate instruments like maraca, cua, güiro, campana (bell) and shekere (shaker), with periodic drum and dance performances spanning three different genres of Caribbean music: bomba, plena, and afro-cuban orisha).

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Rangamandala

Rangamandala performs in the unique style of Kuchipudi, a Theatre, Dance and Music performance tradition originating in Southeastern India and taught through a mentorship model. The performance uses rhythm (feet), movement (body and space), and gesture and mime techniques for communication of abstract or contextual pieces. The choreographer and teacher, Neelima Raju, performed as a soloist for twenty years, winning the approval of critics, causing her to earn her Permanent Residency in the US in Extraordinary Ability in the Arts Category (EB-1) in 2014. She is a recipient of the NJ State Heritage Fellowship (FY 2026) administered by the NJ State Arts Council. Her choreography is based on the traditional idiom yet explores new dimensions of Kuchipudi.

Heritage Area Activation:
Visitors will enjoy a display of garments and images of hand movements that explore Kuchipudi.

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Sagrada Famillia

As part of Holy Family Parish, the “Grupo de Danza Folklórica de la Sagrada Familia” was formed in 2013 to promote and raise awareness about Latino culture, customs, and roots. The main goal is to rescue, preserve, and pass on Latino customs and traditions to future generations. Youth participant’s self esteem and cultural identity are strengthened, which is crucial to developing a positive identity and maintaining a sense of belonging.

Heritage Area Activation:
Grupo de Danza Folklórica de la Sagrada Familia will display various instruments such as the charrasca and the bote, instruments featured in their performance of Danza de los Diablos (Dance of the Devil). On display will also be the diablo masks worn by the dancers during the performance. A few female dancers will be dressed in skirts and blouses associated with Sones de Artesa (Mexican Folkloric dance). They will also have information promoting their upcoming Mexican Independence Day Festival.

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Stark Press Company

Stark Press Company (AKA Pink Line Press) are two brothers who have dedicated their lives to all things printing. Besides running a fine art editioning studio themselves, they also specialize in printmaking press manufacturing, restorations, repairs, replacement parts, maintenance and moving services for etching, letterpress and lithography printing equipment all over the country.

Heritage Area Activation:
Guests have the opportunity to print their own keepsake using authentic vintage letterpress equipment. Our interactive demonstrations showcase the craftsmanship, history, and hands-on process of printing that you can take home as a memory of your time at Folk Fest 2026.

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Ukrainian National Women’s League of America

The Ukrainian National Women's League of America. conducts initiatives related to social welfare, culture, and education in support of Ukrainian people both in Ukraine and within the Ukrainian diaspora.

Heritage Area Activation:
The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America will lead workshops in traditional egg decorating called pysanky. Participants will be able to create designs with hot wax and a variety of color baths. They will also display and demonstrate traditional Ukrainian cross stitching.

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University of the Philippines Alumni and Friends Rondalla

The term rondalla refers to the native string ensemble of the Philippines, consisting of plectrum instruments such as the bandurria, laud, octavina, mandola, guitarra, and bajo de uñas (supplanted today by the regular double bass). The group was formed to promote Philippine cultural heritage through indigenous string instruments, to preserve and promote the native music of the Philippines, and to propagate the Rondalla. Wherever the University of the Philippines Alumni & Friends Rondalla performs, their music never fails to evoke pride for their homeland among Filipinos, and a sense of appreciation for our musical heritage by those who are not familiar with our indigenous instruments.

Heritage Area Activation:
University of the Philippines Alumni and Friends Rondalla offers an opportunity for visitors to experience and play traditional Filipino music. They will provide brief lessons to festival-goers as a way to introduce the instruments. They will also have interactive displays of artwork, music paraphernalia, and traditional costumes. Throughout the day, the ensemble will perform.

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Wafa Ayyad

Wafa Ayyad specializes in the ancient art of tatreez, or Palestinian cross-stitch embroidery. Tatreez is more than just decorative needlework; it is a symbol of resilience, strength, and identity. Each motif, each pattern, is imbued with history and symbolism, reflecting the land, the people, and the spirit of Palestine. Wafa works not only to keep this cherished tradition alive, but also to empower future generations of Palestinian women to connect with their heritage and celebrate their cultural identity. She strives to honor the legacy of those who came before, weaving their stories into the fabric of her art, and sharing the beauty and resilience of Palestinian culture with the world.

Heritage Area Activation:
Wafa Ayyad will demonstrate and give a sampler piece to participants to try at the festival. A piece of aida cloth, needle, floss and pattern will be given to each visitor.

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Will Hammarstrom

Will Hammarstrom is a 2022 recipient of the Old Time Barnegat Bay Decoy & Gunning Show’s Hurley Conklin Award, presented to people who have lived in the Barnegat Bay tradition. Hammarstrom is a decoy carver, boat builder, and charter boat captain. Hammarstrom is not only successful in carrying on the Barnegat Bay and Delaware River folklife traditions, he also enjoys innovating his own techniques including his popular carvings of clams and miniature boats. To quote decoy writer Allen Linkchorst, “Capt. Will Hammarstrom is a hardworking self-reliant man who has followed in the footsteps of his father. Avid duck hunters, boat builders and charter captains, they each earned their livings, as did their Norwegian ancestors, as seafaring men. They also produced quality decoys, both seaworthy and attractive. They are worthy descendants of a family tradition.”

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Ylvia Asal

Ylvia Asal is a textile artist, folk artist, and teacher from Türkiye dedicated to preserving and sharing Anatolian traditions. Since moving to the U.S. in 2003, she has used art to preserve cultural stories, celebrate women’s traditional knowledge, and create connections across cultures.

Her work is deeply rooted in Oya, a centuries-old Anatolian lace tradition passed down through generations. Through her studio in Haddonfield, NJ, Ylvia teaches, creates, exhibits, and leads community programs that bridge traditional and contemporary fiber arts. Her work honors the past while ensuring these traditions continue to inspire future generations. Ylvia was a 2024 NJ Heritage Fellow.

Heritage Area Activation:
Ylvia will share Anatolian textile traditions through Oya lace demonstrations, storytelling, and examples of her contemporary work, showing how traditional knowledge can continue to live and evolve today.

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2026 NJFF Heritage Area Participant Information