Denise Silva-Dennis Denise “Weetahmoe” Silva-Dennis (Shinnecock/Hassanamisco-Nipmuc) is a retired Southampton Elementary School art teacher. She is from the Shinnecock Tribe in Southampton. Silva-Dennis graduated from Hamilton College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art. Upon graduation, she received honors in her discipline. Silva-Dennis is also an accomplished bead work crafts woman. The traditional […]
Jose Santiago – The Bomba Master of Long Island Drum maker Jose Enrique Santiago, known as “Bomba Joe,” always had an affinity for the drums. “When I was in kindergarten in the Bronx there was a little red snare drum in the back of the classroom, and when the teacher said to go get an […]
The Gospel Elders: African American Gospel Quartet The Gospel Elders were a traditional gospel quartet consisting of six African American gentlemen who emigrated from the south during the 1940s and 1950s, and lived on Long Island and Queens. They sang hymns and spirituals in a variety of musical formats including blues and a capella. They […]
Trinidadian steelbands have been in existence since the 1940s, when Trinidadians turned metal containers left by U.S. military forces stationed in Trinidad and Tobago into musical instruments. The groups were originally formed by young men and teenagers from economically depressed neighborhoods in Trinidad’s capital Port-Of-Spain and subsequently spreading to outlying towns such as Arouca, a […]
Community History and Architecture Long Island Traditions offers this program to grades 6-12. The program focuses on research and writing skills that examine settlement patterns and traditional architecture of Long Island. Field trips and slide shows that examine a community’s architecture are also developed. Long Island Traditions released a teacher resource guide examining the following […]
Ethnic Folk Arts Program Our ethnic folk arts programs are geared for grades 4 – 10. We offer them remotely and in class. They include programs on Native Americans, European ethnic groups, recent immigrants from Central and South America, and African Americans. All the programs weave personal histories of struggle and hardship, perseverance and prosperity, […]
Long Island Business News profiles Long Island Traditions. Read the full article. Article courtesy of Long Island Business News
Artist Profiles Long Island Traditions works with a variety of traditional artists and musicians who carry on traditions learned within their families and communities. They include: Ethnic Artists Maritime Artists and Fishermen Occupational Folk Artists Most of these artists are available for public and school programs through Long Island Traditions. To arrange a program, please […]
Honoring Traditions Mission: Long Island Traditions recognizes persons and organizations that are active in preserving their cultural traditions learned within their families and communities, and passing them down to the next generation and in educating the public. The Honoring Traditions program includes performances and slide shows that showcase their talents. The program takes place in different […]
Historic Preservation Long Island Traditions focuses on traditional and vernacular architecture, sites and structures built by ordinary individuals for their own needs or those of their community. We work on behalf of those sites that are in danger of demolition, as well as working with communities to preserve their historic past. Long Island Traditions has […]
