Dr. Fred Motley founded the Danville Storytelling Festival in 2001. In partnership with the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, there was a shared passion to continue the tradition of storytelling that has been around for centuries. A tradition which keeps many of these “unwritten” stories alive and passed down from generation to generation.

This festival is a family-oriented event that acts as an “artistic social bridge” - bringing communities together and celebrating how we are all connected using the rich tradition of storytelling, performances, and activism. Storytellers, also known as “Griots,” perform in different Museum galleries, telling stories throughout the day, collectively creating a multi-cultural and generational experience.