Mama Lisa Named University City's 2023 Returning Artist

The University City Municipal Commission on Arts & Letters has named Mama Lisa (Lisa Gage) as the Returning Artist for the 2023-24 school year.

She began in The School District of University City as a sixth grader and graduated from University City High School in 1980.

Mama Lisa is the president, founder, and artistic director of Fundisha Enterprises, which focuses on empowering the community through the preservation of African culture and the celebration of performing arts traditions from the diaspora. With more than 40 years of professional performance experience, Mama Lisa brings seasoned expertise in academics, percussion, dance, storytelling, craft and oral history.

“I consider myself a Pan African Folk Artist,” Mama Lisa said. “This is not only my charge, but my destiny as well. The pleasure of teaching and researching in African villages brought me to many watershed moments that keep me steadfast in my quest.”

The Commission will host a November 11, 2023 evening reception in honor of Mama Lisa. The celebration begins at 7 p.m. in University City High School’s Pruitt Library, located at 7401 Balson Ave. This event is free and open to the public, with prior registration. Reservations may be made at www.ucityschools.org/RA2023.

Since 1994, the Commission’s Returning Artist program has recognized artistically renowned University City High School graduates by inviting them to return to their alma mater and share their work. The program encourages students to investigate careers in the arts and enriches the District’s arts programs in schools. Past Returning Artists have included visual artists, glassblowers, photographers, writers, filmmakers, graphic designers, videographers, animators, instrumental musicians, composers, actors, singers and dancers. Questions about the program may be sent to the Commission, at ucityartsandletters@gmail.com.

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