Early Folk Artists of Monticello

Stories and music from enslaved and free storytellers and folk musicians at Monticello

STORYTELLER SHEILA ARNOLD portrays an enslaved nursemaid who tells her favorite folk tales to the daughters of Thomas and Martha Jefferson at Monticello in the late 18th Century. Jefferson’s daughters wrote these stories down and they have been revived by Sheila Arnold, who tells them much as they would have been heard back then.

FIDDLER DAVID MCCORMICK of Early Music Access Project in Charlottesville plays folk tunes that his research leads him to believe were played by Hemings and Scott family musicians. These fiddlers were relatives of Sally Hemings who were black, indigenous and European musicians popular for their playing at early 18th-Century dances, parties and dinners in Monticello and Charlottesville.

Together Sheila and David bring the stories and music to life from enslaved and free storytellers and folk musicians at Monticello.

For more information about Sheila and David, please visit “Overview” at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/early-folk-artists-of-monticello-tickets-1974954994553

This event is suitable for family audiences of all ages. Presented by Amherst Glebe Arts Response, Inc. the afternoon performance by Sheila Arnold is partially sponsored by Virginia Commission for the Arts Touring Program ane the National Endowment for the Arts.