Youngblood Selected for Japanese Cultural Exchange

 

Saratoga Springs, NY (June 3, 2010) – Yaddo novelist and playwright Shay Youngblood is one of five artists selected to study Japanese culture during an extended stay abroad in 2011 through the United States/Japan Creative Artists' Program.

A joint effort of the Japan-US Friendship Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts – working together with the Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan and the International House of Japan – the highly competitive program annually awards five leading American artists funds to spend five months in Japan to immerse themselves in the local contemporary and traditional culture. The program is designed to encourage artistic exchange between the two countries. Recipients of the fellowship receive comprehensive logistical support but are free to live anywhere in Japan to pursue activities most important to their creative process.

Youngblood is the author of the novels Black Girl in Paris and Soul Kiss and a collection of short fiction, The Big Mama Stories. Her plays Amazing Grace, Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery, and Talking Bones have been widely produced. Her other plays include Black Power Barbie, Communism Killed MY Dog, and the radio play Explain Me the Blues. Recently, she took up painting and has begun to exhibit her artwork. A native of Georgia, Youngblood currently lives in Denton, Texas. She has been a Yaddo guest artist several times and is a Member of The Corporation of Yaddo.