Northwest Folklife has been an annual tradition of mine and so many friends for decades, so when I was invited to contribute poster art with Toka Valu last year, it was an absolute honor and full circle moment in several ways.

Just want to salute the brother Benjamin Hunter and the amazing crew at Folklife for the visioning and leadership in pushing and challenging the festival in new and exciting ways.

This year’s 55th annual festival Cultural Focus centers around Ubuntu, an African philosophy often summarized “I am because we are”.. a way to re-examine our interconnectedness, our solidarity with one another, and our commitment to treating each other with respect and dignity.

Last year’s Ikigai focus invited us to embrace an intuitive journey, one that encourages us to navigate life’s complexities and, eventually, challenging us to find and embrace our true purpose, considering both intimate and social dimensions of life. It’s about showing up authentically, trusting the process, and allowing your purpose to come into view, often when you least expect it.

The 2024 focus was Meraki. A greek word to describe the act of doing something with passion or love.

The 2023 Cultural Focus was Lagom. A Swedish word, Lagom, is the practice of balance.

Northwest Folklife’s 2022 Cultural Focus, Metamorphosis: In with the Old, In with the New, celebrates people’s natural propensity for change. This pandemic has proven to be one of those unique moments in our time; and it is incumbent upon us to recognize this turning point for what it is, reground ourselves, point our compass true north, dream a new future, and meet the challenges ahead.