By Lexi Ray
Tradition took the spotlight at downtown Raleigh’s Fletcher Opera Theater on June 7 at the 2025 North Carolina Heritage Awards, the conclusion to PineCone’s Down Home Concert Series.
The Heritage Awards, launched by the N.C. Arts Council in 1989, honor the state’s most treasured traditional artists and practitioners. At the awards show, awardees shared inspiring stories of their lifelong dedication to their craft through on-stage interviews, documentary film presentations, musical performances, and a display of artwork. From intricate chinaberry jewelry and pineberry baskets to classical Indian melodies and Appalachian guitar picking, the event showcased plenty of reasons to be proud to be a North Carolinian.
This year’s Heritage Award recipients were Gaurang Doshi, a North Indian classical musician from Winston-Salem; Helen Gibson, a woodcarver from Brasstown; Chester McMillian, a Round Peak guitarist from Mount Airy; Herman and Loretta Oxendine, Lumbee traditional artisans from Pembroke; and Farmville-based gospel quartet he Glorifying Vines Sisters.
Here’s a closer look at the honorees and what they shared at the show:
Gaurang Doshi introduced blissful Indian melodies that he performed on the sarod, joined by tabla player, Haimanand Lutchmidat. He later played an elaborate duet with his daughter, Anusha Doshi, who played the sitar.
Helen Gibson brought many of her handmade nativity figures to display and even did some carving onstage along with one of her students. Gibson explained her hand-carving techniques, which she learned (and later taught) at John C. Campbell Folk School, and showed some of her favorite tools.
The Glorifying Vines Sisters brought wonderful sounds of praise to the stage through their expressive singing and even a little dancing. Alice Vines, the group’s lead singer, eventually kicked off her shoes and danced in acclaim.
Chester McMillian performed with a band that included his son, Nick, on the fiddle. Along with hearing more about the Round Peak music tradition, the audience also learned of McMillian’s philanthropic efforts in his hometown.
Herman Oxendine provided heartfelt accounts of both his and his late wife’s work in their community, with a special musical tribute by 2024 Miss Lumbee, Calista Deal. Loretta Oxendine passed away in October 2024.
PineCone is proud to be the producer for the North Carolina Heritage Awards show. Learn more about the awards here.