Thomas Grant Richardson, PhD directs the Center for Washington Cultural Traditions. In this role, he oversees the center’s Cultural Traditions Survey and Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program as well documentation and archiving activities. Thomas and the Center serve as resources for folk and traditional arts research, documentation, and programming across Washington state.

Thomas moved to Washington state from Santa Fe, New Mexico where he worked for several years as a folklife fieldworker, writer, and consultant. His clients included the state folk and traditional arts agencies of Oregon, Utah, New Mexico, Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. He also has worked with national organizations such as The Association of Cultural Equity, The American Folklore Society, The National Assemble of State Arts Agencies, and PBS Education.

Prior to working as an independent folklorist, Thomas was the Curator of Education and Outreach for the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol TN/VA.

Thomas received his Ph.D. in Folklore & Ethnomusicology from Indiana University in 2019.

As a researcher and writer, his interests include African-Americans in old-time music, Indigenous arts and culture, and community-based self-documentation.

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Kate McElroy holds an MA in Folk Studies (2019) and a BA in Anthropology (2016), both from Western Kentucky University. Her professional history includes folklife programming, nonprofit work, and museum experience.

As the managing editor for Rites of Green, Kate hopes to facilitate a landing place for discussions about the aspects of our lives that connect us to each other.