Dance exhibit in Kitimat

Anna Marie sent in an account of an awesome dance and art project she organized last summer which I wanted to share with you. Even the Mayor got involved- check this out:

Dance Impressions is an example of a locally conceived and executed Outreach Event. This event integrated dance and visual art.

Stages:

1. Dance teacher visits classes in local schools to teach dance workshops. (Sponsor: Made in BC)

2. Art teacher visits the same classes and guides students in the expression of their dance experience through art. (Sponsor: KAFY)

3. Mayor opens an exhibit of the art in the local Mall.

4. Press release to local papers.

Participants: 80 local elementary school students

Local organization/business involvement: Kitimat Arts for Youth (KAFY), schools, City Centre Mall

Due to the success of Dance Impressions, we decided to make it an annual outreach event.

Below is the Press Release for Dance Impressions 2010:

Dance Impressions Exhibit

Mayor Joanne Monaghan opened an art exhibit titled “Dance Impressions” in the Lower City Centre Mall last Saturday. The exhibit showcases the work of local elementary school students who took part in contemporary dance workshops and then used their dance experience to express themselves through art workshops. Huey-lin Guizzo presented the idea to principals and teachers in the elementary schools. They were very supportive and the project was incorporated in the fine arts curriculum in the schools.

The contemporary dance workshops were led by dance teacher Leah Correia. She found the experience very rewarding, because it gave her the opportunity to teach dance to students who would otherwise not take part in dance classes. In the following weeks local artist Eileen Hutson led the art workshops in the schools. Under her expertise, the students expressed music, dance and movement through art. Through the generosity of the City Centre Mall management, their inspiring work is now on display for all to enjoy in the “Dance Impressions” exhibit.

The sponsor for the contemporary dance workshops was Made in BC-Dance on Tour. This organization creates awareness of contemporary dance and strives to build audiences for this dance genre by supporting contemporary dance companies and enabling them to tour areas outside the large cities. Anna-Marie Carstens is the local Made in BC dance outreach coordinator.

The art workshops were sponsored by Kitimat Arts for Youth (KAFY), a local non-profit organization. KAFY’s mission is to bring the arts to Kitimat children. They promote both visual and performing arts. Louise Avery is the president of KAFY.