LIVING ARTS BLOG

Guest User 1/17/20 Guest User 1/17/20

Master Class with American Ballet Theatre

On Tuesday, January 14, dancers from the YDE and Ballet 3 classes were invited to attend a master class with members of American Ballet Theatre, one of the top ballet companies in the world! The mixed-level hour and a half class was a rare and exciting opportunity for Living Arts’ dancers to experience.

Held at the FREC, the master class was led by dancers Lauren Bonfiglio and Melvin Lawovi. “Seeing them and how they grew up has shown me that if I really work hard, I can get to where they are at their point in their lives,” said student Samantha Augilar. Ingrid Hernandez added, “My favorite part was when we got to do exercises because I saw what I wanted to be. I saw a role model, a reflection of what I could be, and ways to better myself.” Nina Contreras added, “I liked seeing a guy, because here in Detroit you hardly ever see that” referring to Lawovi.

Bonfiglio has been with ABT since 2013 and started her career with the company in a summer Young Dancer Workshop in 2007. In 2013 she became a member of the ABT Studio Company. Lawovi, a native of Toulouse, France, has been dancing since age 10 and competed in many international competitions before joining the ABT Studio Company in 2018 and apprenticing with the main Company in 2019.

Many thanks to these talented instructors, the American Ballet Theatre, and the Michigan Opera Theater for making this opportunity possible for our students.

Zack Bissell, Out-of-School Arts Program Manager 12/18/19 Zack Bissell, Out-of-School Arts Program Manager 12/18/19

Southwest Holiday Fest Returns

The 7th Annual Southwest Holiday Fest was held on December 14. Living Arts is proud to once again participate in the event.

Our Youth Dance Ensemble 2 (YDE2, the junior dance company) had their second performance as a group this year at Southwest Holiday Fest and did a great job!

The 7th Annual Southwest Holiday Fest was held on December 14. Living Arts is proud to once again participate in the event.

Our Youth Dance Ensemble 2 (YDE2, the junior dance company) had their second performance as a group this year at Southwest Holiday Fest and did a great job!

The senior YDE created a structured improvisational dance collaboratively. Youth mentor Diamond Davis hosted a two-hour ornament decorating workshop (her first public workshop), and did a great job coordinating the ordering of supplies, setup and cleanup, and facilitation.

SW Holiday Fest is planned annually by a coalition of organizations and businesses in the area including Matrix Theatre, Plaza del Sol, Mexicantown Community Development Coalition, Repair the World, Xochi's Gift Shop, SER Metro, All Saints Literacy Center, Dantos Furniture, The FREC, Living Arts, and more.

Guest User 12/10/19 Guest User 12/10/19

Harnessing Personal Power through Dance

Living Arts’ dancers and instructors met to discuss and reflect on their Sofrito of Cultures summer intensive.

On Saturday November 16, seven of the nine Youth Dance Ensemble dancers joined their mentor/instructors Miryam Johnson and Penny Godboldo, along with Living Arts’ Director of Programs, Erika Villarreal Bunce and Dance Program Director, Marianne Cox over Lebanese food and conversation. Also in attendance was Jennifer Collins the mother of Bailee Williams, one of the dancers. The gathering was the first time the group had met since their August 8th performance at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

The inter-generational conversation, led by Villarreal Bunce, was an opportunity for the young women to really debrief and dig into what they learned and how they felt during the intensive.

On learning Dunham technique alongside her own students, Miryam Johnson said she was “…in the moment, in the music, in my body connected to the people around me” as opposed to being in her head, focusing on self-criticism. She added, “It was important for me to be a student next to you; for you to see me not getting it also.” Master choreographer and intensive lead, Penny Godboldo said “Dance is a language...it’s called a company because it’s community working together.”

Over the course of the three weeks, the dancers, instructors, and drummers met for five hours a day, five days a week. Initially desiring a 10-week session, Godboldo had to readjust expectations from her students. “I knew what young people in this community were capable of, but I wasn’t sure if [you] were up for it. I was so pleased with the way [you] young women stepped up and did the work!”

Reflecting on the journal entries they wrote during the intensive, the young dancers recalled the feelings brought on by dancing. Learning the history and cultural relevance of the drum and movement in Afro-Latin dance was critical to understanding their own role in the dance. “I felt that the intensive really made me feel like a leader. It really tested my boundaries,” shared Bailee Williams, 13. Many of the dancers agreed that their boundaries, both physical and mental, were tested during their training. Learning how to breathe proved to be one of the most valuable tools, centering themselves before rehearsals began and carrying them throughout the hours of movement. “Wwhen I came here to dance I was happy and more confident.” Brianna Hernandez, 12. Mariajose Galarza, 13 added, “After the intensive I really felt like I could do anything! It was really long and hard but really good.”

Though still a while off from their careers, many of the dancers are considering entering into professional dance. A chance to represent both Detroit and the Southwest community where they live, the dancers want to show the world that Detroit is still in the game. “No one expects big dancers to come out of Detroit because it’s just a small city. No one expects someone like Miss Penny or Dunham to come out of Detroit. Everybody just thinks that it was famous during the Motor City era and has been left behind like it was nothing. But there really is something special in this community...dance just connects us,” said 14-year-old Nina Contreras.

Ms. Collins exclaimed, “You all are powerful! Knowing what you all accomplished this summer you all can do anything!” A sentiment echoed by all the mentors in the room.

Zack Bissell, Out-of-School Arts Program Manager 11/8/19 Zack Bissell, Out-of-School Arts Program Manager 11/8/19

Dispatches from the National Guild for Community Arts Education Conference

Every year, Living Arts sends a team to the annual conference of the National Guild for Community Arts Education. This event brings together artists, administrators, educators, and changemakers to share their work and models and build collaboratively on a national scale. The conference is an opportunity for all members of our team (staff, Teaching Artists, and students) to learn from peers and leadership in the field. Previously held in Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, and Baltimore, this year’s conference was held in Austin, Texas from October 30-November 2.

This year, we were fortunate to be able to take Diamond Davis, one of our youth leaders, to the conference for the first time and to attend the National Young Artists Summit which took place in conjunction with the conference. Diamond has participated in our programs since 2015 and quickly became a leader in our teen initiatives and classes.

A major highlight for me was the keynote from artist Favianna Rodriguez, who spoke about the power of culture and art to disrupt violent systems that operate in our society, and concrete tools that center teaching artists as instigators and partners. Rodriguez also addressed ways to design classes to reach all students. I also connected with colleagues from around the country and deepened my connection and mentorship with Diamond.

Overall, the conference this year gave me many tools, ideas, and inspiration that will continue to impact our Out-of-School Arts program and Living Arts as a whole for years to come. It was especially timely, as we continue to strategize and implement ways that youth can (and should!) shape the world around them. Diamond and I are now developing a plan to roll out our preparations for Open Arts Fest 2020 that includes more youth collaboration and community partnership.

Attending the NGCAE conference has given me the tools and inspiration to move our programs forward and be more innovative in the youth-led programming and creative youth development spheres. I am deeply excited and already looking ahead for next year’s conference and youth summit in New York City!

Diamond Davis

For the past 5 years, I’ve been involved with Living Arts programming and youth leadership in a variety of ways. This year, Living Arts invited me to represent them at the National Young Artists Summit (NYAS), an offshoot of the National Guild for Community Arts Education. I was really happy and super excited to be invited because it felt like a big opportunity. I didn’t initially know a lot about the conference but I was excited to represent Living Arts and meet all the different people there. As I learned more about the Guild and the NYAS, I couldn’t wait to start chatting with them about different projects and what they’re involved in at their organizations.

Day 1, National Guild for Community Arts Education Conference

I attended a few different presentations and workshops. One was a cutting-edge marketing session, where they talked about nonprofits, especially music in schools. l left with many ideas that will help us prepare for Open Arts Fest, including new ways to connect with the community, promote the event, coordinate with schools, and reach more youth. Another workshop focused on ways to use artistic experiences to set up safe and comfortable spaces in order to address difficult topics such as race, social justice, and equity. I also went to a youth-focused networking session. We talked about what is it like being a young artist and developing careers, parental approval/disapproval, and their guidance. It made me think a lot about my own pathway and if I want to pursue the arts or engineering, and about my mom’s support.

Day 2, the National Young Artists Summit

It was really fun and interesting with lots of different youth performances. We had conversations about gun violence, police brutality, sexual harassment, and there were artistic pieces relating to those topics such as dances, music, and others. Afterwards we did role-plays and discussed the topics. I also attended a dance session where we learned dance and I bonded with the people in the class. We were all really comfortable and were able to come out of our shells. The adult partners and facilitators reminded me of the adults at Living Arts such as Zack and Stephanie, who are able to step back and allow the youth to take the lead in different ways.

The other youth that I met were very inclusive and cared about all the individuals in the group to create safe and comfortable spaces for us to connect with each other. I was so happy to get a chance to connect more deeply with youth from Mosaic Theatre of Detroit, especially since we live in the same city. We’ll be able to continue chatting and collaborating as we build our friendships moving forward. We’re already talking about ways we can do things together soon. I also met DeLashea from Mosaic and have emailed her to start getting to know her better. There were also youth from around the country that are artists in many different mediums. It was really helpful to hear about their programs and events they are developing and leading.

Now that the conference is over, I’m hoping to get together again with everybody from Mosaic. I’m also looking forward to connecting Living Arts more to teens in schools so they can come to our events and get involved. I’m also going to be finding ways to get involved with other youth programs and nonprofits in Detroit such as Mosaic, Bloombodies, and others.

My experiences at the conference helped me realize how important it is to develop comfortable and safe spaces, especially for Open Arts Fest, so that we can use the space to share important messages and topics. That way we can have fun but also do great work together with our peers. I’m also hoping to join the planning committee next year for the National Young Artists Summit now that I’ve attended once and have met the planning team.

Natasha Beste, Animation Teaching Artist 10/24/19 Natasha Beste, Animation Teaching Artist 10/24/19

Animation and Emotional Storytelling

Thirty years ago, I created my first video with my family’s VHS tape recorder. I dressed my friends in costumes and set up my Barbies. I was using animation techniques without even knowing what stop-motion was – I honestly thought I invented the technique! This passion continued through high school and college and it lead me to co-owning a video production company and to developing my own art practice. Now, I produce, direct, and edit music videos and documentaries, while also creating sculpture-based video art installations that incorporate hand-drawn animated elements. Utilizing time-based media as a story-teller is so powerful and magical to me, so when I started teaching thirteen years ago, it was truly a natural fit.

While teaching animation techniques, I take inspiration from two other Detroit artists: filmmaker and painter Nicole Macdonald and animator Gary Schwartz. Nicole is a good friend and was my first and only animation instructor! I took one class with her at the Detroit Film Center in the early 2000’s and then immediately incorporated it into my practice. Gary was a great mentor and gave me some valuable advice early on that really transformed my life as a teacher. He told me to focus on teaching how I create, myself. This is such simple advice but as a working artist balancing creating and teaching, it has allowed me to stay energized and engaged in the work that my own students create.

The heart and driving force of my work and the work I inspire my students to create is emotion and story-based. Utilizing animation as a tool to tell a story is really amazing because a viewer already understands and accepts the possibility of surreal elements or exaggeration. With animation, you have the freedom to use images as metaphor without distracting your audience so it’s a tool that is helpful for not only the artist but also the viewer!

I also help motivate students to feel more comfortable trusting their own creative instincts and to get out of the perfectionist loop were you get hung up on details and lose focus on the greater whole. In my classroom, we never use pencils because this encourages the erase and redraw cycle which often never ends because we’re stuck on thinking ‘this isn’t good enough,’ instead of accepting and moving on to completion. Looking back on a finished piece and realizing what could be done differently next time is always more helpful and satisfying than being stuck on one detail and never finishing. A goal for myself and for them is to share and to continue to share – we can’t do that if we don’t finish the project.

Video Animation - Iris Jimenez

Hi my name is Iris Jimenez, I’m 13 years old, and I go to Living Arts. I've always been really passionate about art and animation and Living Arts is the place that has brought out the best in me. I take 2 classes in Living Arts: Video Animation and The SPOT. These two classes have made me feel more passionate to do what I love and the teachers are the best people to get along with.

The first time I came to the animation class was during the summer of 2018. The animation class is a place where I can be myself and do what I love. The class is so much fun and I learned so much about animation. I even got to make new friends there. Ms. Natasha has helped me so much with animation. She teaches us different types of techniques and honestly I just think she's the best. She is very caring and super easy to talk to. But most of all I love working and being with the people in this class. We all share such similar interests and are passionate about what we love to do.

Video Animation - Elise Moore

My name is Elise Moore, and I’m 16 years old. I go to Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy, and I am a junior. I have participated in Living Arts’ Video Animation class since Summer 2013. In my free time, I like to write and play music, create different types of visual art (like drawing and animating), and read.

Throughout my time in Video Animation, my favorite part has been working with the teacher, Ms. Natasha Beste. Ms. Natasha runs the class very smoothly and keeps all of us students on the right track. She introduces each project with such enthusiasm that it is contagious. When I first started this workshop, I was very shy and rarely spoke about my ideas. Ms. Natasha really helped me come out of my shell and to this day allows me to express who I truly am.

In the near future, I want to continue in the Video Animation class, and to create more short films there and in my free time. Later on, I plan to attend college to learn more about animation and character design. I hope to work at an animation studio as either a storyboard artist, animator, or concept artist.

Marianne Brass, Dance Program Director 9/23/19 Marianne Brass, Dance Program Director 9/23/19

Youth Dance Ensemble Dance Intensive

Street dance intensive led by Teaching Artist Daijiro Tsushima.

In preparation for the new season, Living Arts Youth Dance Ensemble (YDE) hosts an annual dance intensive and company auditions. For one week, dancers attend daily classes with Out-of-School Arts Teaching Artists and special guests where they focus on learning new dance techniques and choreography. Following the completion of all classes, dancers are invited to audition for a spot in the Youth Dance Ensemble. This year, we are introducing Youth Dance Ensemble 2 as a sister company to YDE. YDE2 is intended to provide a platform for younger students who are interested in deepening their training as a dancer and artist.

The goal of these companies is to give space and energy to seriously invested students who may want to pursue a career in dance after high school. Along with building a solid foundation through weekly technique classes, company members engage and explore concepts normally introduced in post-secondary dance education. At the intensive, dancers are encouraged to investigate personal experiences and ideas through improvisation, choreography and performance. Additionally they formed relationships with one another through a shared experience.

Street jazz intensive with guest Teaching Artist Justin Alesna

Each year the intensive provides a well-rounded program that encompasses a variety of dance styles including ballet, hip hop, modern, jazz and improvisation. In class, students gained insight into the history and background of the specific form in order to deepen their understanding and appreciation for dance. They built confidence by accepting new challenges and taking risks in a nurturing and fun environment. Ultimately, this intensive provides a pathway for invested students to audition to become a member of the dance ensembles.

Committed dancers from the OSA program are encouraged and invited to attend this annual dance intensive along with previous company members. We are looking forward to a new year filled with performances, community events, workshops and other activities that will highlight the talents of our young artists. Classes begin the first week in October and we’re excited to start the season with new and familiar faces!

Jonathan Williams 8/21/19 Jonathan Williams 8/21/19

Looking Back: Open Arts Fest

Hi my name is Johnathan Williams, I am a visual artist, beatmaker, DJ, and I was on the Open Arts Fest planning team this year. I had a lot of fun this summer planning Open Arts Fest, and I also learned a lot and gained more experience for a career.

Open Arts Fest is important to me because it gives me and others a place to see performances and take part in fun art activities in the community. I think that an event like this is important to have because it exposes people to different forms of art and fun activities, but it is also a great way for me to connect with other teens around our creativity and expressing ourselves. Also, the event is based on our open studio model, so people can go at their own pace with the activities and performances that are happening.

The planning team for Open Arts Fest met three times a week to plan and make decisions around different parts of the event, such as the schedule, activities, decorations, community partners, evaluation, and marketing plan. One of the three weekly meetings was a training for Grow Detroit’s Young Talent. In these trainings we talked about things such as banking, how non-profit work, communication and professionalism, job searching and resumes, and self-awareness and personal growth.

Open Arts Fest 2019 this year was really fun, and there was a lot to do! I wish the event had been a little longer so we could have had time to have more fun getting into the arts activities after the performances, but I still had a great time.The performances by Mosaic, Living Arts dancers, and really all of them were great. I could see everyone was enjoying the event.

For next year, I hope that we can invite more people, and have more activities and performances during the event. We are also already working on bringing in some live art and more activities for outside. Lastly, I would like the event to be later in the evening so that we can have more teens there and so it will be less hot outside for the activities and performances. Overall I think that the Open Arts Fest was fun and important for the community and we hope to get a wider audience of teens next year.

Guest User 7/30/19 Guest User 7/30/19

Living Arts Dancers to Perform Sofrito of Cultures with Penny Godboldo at the Wright Museum

Living Arts’ Youth Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Master Teacher and Dance Artist Penny Godboldo and Living Arts’ Teaching Artist Miryam Johnson, with musical accompaniment by Chinelo "Chi" Amen-Ra and Ozvaldo "Ozzie" Rivera, will present a free community performance graciously hosted by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on August 8, 2019 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm.

Young Southwest Detroit dancers explore Afro-Latinx identity through dance and music

Sofrito of Cultures is the culmination of a two-week dance intensive, supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Through the intensive, participants train in the Dunham Technique of dance, which blends European ballet, modern, jazz, and classical African movement.

“Katherine Dunham founded this technique as a means of anthropological study asking ‘What is the function of the way people move? Why do we move differently than Europeans? What history is tied in the ways we move, sing, play an instrument’,” says Godboldo. “Rather than feeling inadequate, there is a body of movement ingrained in culture to define yourself and feel empowered.” Johnson, who has taught with Living Arts for the past three years, was attracted to the project as her work revolves around the concept of the body as an archive of movement. “We’re looking at the ways we move naturally and what these bodies carry into dance; in contrast to the upright form of European traditions of dance.”

Johnson’s role as protege to Godboldo as well as instructor to the students is part of the mentorship process. “We are also looking at the intercultural (black and Latinx) and intergenerational traditions of movement,” says Erika Villarreal Bunce, director of programs at Living Arts. Godboldo adds “there is a history of oral tradition in African and Caribbean culture. This project holds that tradition in the construct of music and movement, it is an accurate account of history — as opposed to the written tradition that has become skewed through the eyes of others.”

The project began with a master dance class in the summer of 2017 through the Teatro Chico program. Since then, the students and families of Living Arts have requested more culturally relevant programming that reflects their own history. “Living Arts’ commitment to respecting partnerships and youth drives our programming. When it comes to our artistic production, we take direction from our youth to create art that reflects their experience,” says Villarreal Bunce.

For tickets to the performance, visit: bit.ly/SofritoPerformance.

Diamond Davis and Bailee Williams 7/22/19 Diamond Davis and Bailee Williams 7/22/19

Here's Why You Should Come to Open Arts Fest!

Hi! I’m Diamond and I’ve been with Living Arts as a dancer, photographer, and artist for over five years.

And I’m Bailee and I have been dancing at Living Arts for four years. I was originally introduced to Living Arts when me and my mom stumbled upon it, and I have been coming ever since. During my time here I have taken all types of classes like ballet, tap, point, jazz, hip hop, salsa, and Afro-Latin.

Hi! I’m Diamond and I’ve been with Living Arts as a dancer, photographer, and artist for over five years.

We’re two of the teens planning Open Arts Fest. We’d like to share some info with you about Open Arts Fest and invite you to join us in this all-teen art party!

Open Arts Fest is an event thrown by the teens in the SPOT, Living Arts’ teen open studio. We first started working on the event last year. Originallym we didn’t know what it was going to be or how it was going to come out but we knew we wanted to spread the name of Living Arts and also have something fun for the community every year. So we came up with Open Arts Fest. The program is not just to bring in more teens, but to have a fun interactive event for not only the Southwest Community but whoever else would like to come.

Last year the event was filled with hula hoop contest, dance competitions, performances, open mics, screen printing, and more! There were so many different things for everyone to do.

This year, we are inviting teens to come to the event, either to stop by and hang out or to sign up to perform. You can submit a proposal to perform here. We’re working to make it bigger and better to top last year!

We have already started posting flyers for the event and even gathered some teens to perform. There will be a DJ with some really cool beats and music! We will also have fun activities to participate in and prizes to win. We’re very excited about the printmaking because of all the different designs.

We’re excited about the food trucks because we know they will be just as good as last year! The performances will be great and we’re also participating in them. Stop by 3-6pm on August 10th at the FREC (2826 Bagley).

Hope to see you there!

Diamond & Bailee

Guest User 7/2/19 Guest User 7/2/19

Living Arts Launches Sofrito of Cultures with Penny Godboldo

This summer, Living Arts will launch a two-week dance intensive, Sofrito of Cultures. Lead by Master Teacher and Dance Artist Penny Godboldo and Living Arts’ Teaching Artist Miriyam Johnson, 12 participants will engage in five hours of daily training from July 22-August 2 in the Dunham Technique of dance, which blends European ballet, modern, jazz, and classical African movement.

Young dancers explore Afro-Latinx identity through dance and music

The project, supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, began with a master dance class in the summer of 2017 through the Teatro Chico program. Since then, the students and families of Living Arts have requested more culturally relevant programming that reflects their own history. “Living Arts’ commitment to respecting partnerships and youth drives our programming. When it comes to our artistic production, we take direction from our youth to create art that reflects their experience,” says Villarreal Bunce. The culmination of the intensive will be a community performance graciously hosted by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on August 8, 2019 6:00pm - 8:00pm.

Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming public performance!

Guest User 6/25/19 Guest User 6/25/19

Welcome Bianca to the Programs Team!

We’ve recently added an Out-of-School Arts Intern to our programs team: Bianca Cuevas! Bianca will be on site at the FREC during our Saturday classes this summer and helping with our metrics and statistics compilation.

Current Staff_Bianca 2019 OSA intern_2019_06_25.png

Bianca Cuevas born in Houston, Texas and raised in Southwest Detroit has been very involved in her community. Second generation from a Mexican-American family in the region of Los Altos Jalisco, Mexico she is fluent in Spanish. A graduate from the Arts Academy in the Woods with a theater major and continued education at Madonna University. Bianca is an educator and helped create a bilingual program for students in a K-12 charter school. She is an avid photographer and in her spare time she also teaches Quincenera dance choreography.

Guest User 6/10/19 Guest User 6/10/19

Closing Out the Season: 20th Annual Student Showcase

On a moderate Sunday afternoon, families, friends, and supporters gathered at Cass Technical High School for the Living Arts 20th Annual Student Showcase. The program opened with Program Manager, Zack Bissell, who welcomed the audience and thanked the event’s supporters.

A culmination of the 2018-2019 season of programming through the Out-of-School Arts (OSA) program, Showcase featured a mix of dance, visual arts, video animation, and music composition. The program featured a special guest performance by Ballet Folkórico de Detroit and an intermission performance by Mariachi Femeníl de Detroit.

In total, there were 26 performances featuring over 100 dancers in jazz, tap, modern, ballet, hip hop, house, ballet folkórico, tumbling, and karate. Just outside the theater was an art exhibition featuring sculpture, painting, and other 2D and 3D artwork by students. Students rage from ages 0-18 in the OSA program, so Sunday’s roster included work from toddlers through young adults.
With the guidance of professional artists, musicians, dancers, and choreographers, it is no wonder the caliber of talent featured at Showcase!

Closing remarks by Dance Program Director, Marianne Brass included a special thanks to Living Arts’ Co-founder Christine Allen-Carson as well as special recognition to graduating seniors Carolina Anaya, Diamond Davis, Alexis Harris, Andrea Hinojosa, Jeimy Lopez, and Xalma Palomino. A final acknowledgement given to all the teaching artists, parents and caregivers, families, and supporters closed out the evening.

Congratulations to all participants in the 2018-2019 season!

Guest User 6/3/19 Guest User 6/3/19

Before You Take the Stage: A Chat with Living Arts' Senior Artists

In the 45 minutes window between school and rehearsal, I met with 5 young women at the FREC-Mercado. In preparation for their upcoming 20th Annual Student Showcase, we sat down to talk about their history with Living Arts, and the role the organization has played in their lives.

“I came to Living Arts when I was 5 or 6,” stated 18-year-old Xalma Palomino. “The studio was right around my house, so my mom just signed my sister and I up for a ballet class once a week”. 18-year-old dancers Carolina Anaya and Andrea Hinojosa also began in ballet. “Xalma introduced me to dance because we’ve been friends for many, many years. My mom signed me up and I took every class they took,” says Anaya. Alexis Harris, 18, began dancing when she was 3 years old, and was introduced to Living Arts by her grandmother at 8 years old. Alexis in turn introduced Tanykia “Diamond” Davis to Living Arts when the girls were in the 8th grade.

On Sunday, June 9th, Xalma and Carolina, along with fellow senior dancers Alexis and Andrea, will be performing in their last Showcase. The recital will be held at Cass Technical HS, where most of the young woman attend. The performance will be bittersweet for the girls as they are also graduating from high school and moving on to different things in life. “It’s sad because we’re leaving now. We became like a family, we all grew up with each other like sisters,” stated Xalma. Andrea added, “We really became close to each other and not seeing them every day is going to be weird.” What started as a fun activity as children has become a passion for these young artists.

Dedicating so many years to their craft, has not come easy. “We’ve had to choose between school activities and rehearsals or performances at times. I even missed my mom’s graduation,” said Alexis. But the sacrifice is worth it. When Diamond and I spoke on the phone, she talked about the feeling of creating. “Every time I get in the studio to dance or I’m making art at the SPOT, it’s a chance to be the best dancer or artist I can be. It helps my mind expand and open up.”

There’s a consensus among all the young women that their craft has given them a sense of freedom. Jeimy Lopez, 18 ,shared, “Making art, especially painting, gives me an outlet for stress. I can channel that I have into making something beautiful.” Jeimy began as a dancer as well, but realized she didn’t have the same love of dance as visual art. She’s passionate about the open-studio model of the SPOT and has previously presented on the approach at conferences. She continued, “For teenagers who are just trying to see what art has to offer for them, it’s better to have a research-based approach in the studio, where the mentor is there to guide along the way. It helped me to discover art as an outlet.”

Through the arts, each of the young women have found an identity that is all their own. “I’m more outspoken now and not afraid to express what I want,” said Carolina. “So many kids feel like they’re going to be judged for what they do or say, and I feel like through dance, I’ve gained so much confidence.” Each expressed they’ve faced criticism for not being “enough” (whether their art was something that didn’t speak to others or their bodies didn’t scream ‘dancer’), but they all site persistence and the support of their fellow artists as their motivation to do what they do.

When asked what advice they wished they’d heard more of as children, and what advice they wanted to give to young artists, they shared encouraging words to keep making art. Diamond summed it up best when she said “You can do whatever you set your mind to as long as you keep at it. Anything you do can be a form of art. When you move your body, it’s a form of art, when you’re drawing, painting, it’s art, whatever it is, it will tell a story to someone. It might take some time, but don’t give up. It will get you somewhere in life.”

Click here for more information about Living Arts’ OSA program. And for tickets to the 20th Annual Student Showcase, click here.

Guest User 5/1/19 Guest User 5/1/19

Living Arts Receives $40,000 Commitment to Arts Access for Detroit Youth

Renewed partnership support comes from Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation

Living Arts is proud to announce a $40,000 grant award from the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation. This partnership will provide 100 free enrollments for youth and children in Southwest Detroit to access Living Arts’ Out-of-School Arts program.

Students at our Out of School Arts animation class. Photo by J. Lindsey Photography.

Renewed partnership support comes from Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation

“This continued partnership with the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation will ensure that Detroit youth have access to high-quality arts experiences regardless of their family’s financial situation.” said Alissa Novoselick, Executive Director of Living Arts. “We’re proud to partner with an organization that supports the positive enrichment in the lives of our youth,” continued Novoselick.

Living Arts’ Out-of-School Arts program offers a wide array of class offerings after school and on weekends at the Ford Resource and Engagement Center. Instruction in multiple disciplines is offered, including video animation, songwriting and recording, visual arts, multimedia art, and dance. Classes are available for youth ages 3 months to 18 years old, and no one is ever turned away for inability to pay.

“These programs give students a place to be after school and the chance to try dance or animation or beat making without worrying if they can afford it or not,” stated Tanykia “Diamond” Davis, an 18 year-old participant in the Out-of-School Arts program. Davis recently spoke at a 20th anniversary celebration for Living Arts on her experience with the program. “Like me, a lot of the students at Living Arts have a scholarship to attend classes. Because of Living Arts, kids like me have the chance to try out something new and stick with something they love, and be around mentors that inspire them,” said Davis.

Erika Villarreal Bunce, Director of Programs 2/28/19 Erika Villarreal Bunce, Director of Programs 2/28/19

Our Voice, Our Power: An Evening with Las Cafeteras

On the evening of February 20 at the FREC-Mercado, we gathered cozily with our Out of School Arts parents and children, enjoying a meal together in the company of our new friends, the musicians of Las Cafeteras. We assembled in the Art Studio, buzzing about, discussing the details of our days as the sun gently set through the windows of the studio. Ready to begin, Las Cafeteras began strumming guitars, energizing us and inviting us into the experience. This familial and comforting space set the scene for our evening of writing songs together.

Thanks to Las Cafeteras andUMS staff for making this evening a powerful and special event.

When I was approached by Emilio Rodriguez (former Living Arts teaching artist and current Community Programs Manager for UMS) about our hosting of a songwriting workshop for our youth, my instincts as a mom and daughter kicked in. Inspired by our Parent Advisory Council, I immediately felt the workshop needed to be centered around the bonds between our youth and their best advocates.

As a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants, as well as a parent myself, I value the opportunity for parents to express their important visions for their families. As a first generation American growing up in Chicago, I was aware of my parents’ desire for a better life for themselves and their children. I have benefited greatly from the intentions set forth by my parents and all those who came before me. It feels incredibly important to be able to share bravely these intentions and dreams we have for each other within our families, however we come to define what family means. Knowing that sometimes it’s difficult to share these emotional dreams for one another, it seemed that songwriting could support us here as a doorway.

With parents in one group and children in another,we all worked for the next 2 hours that evening, guided by the thoughtful and loving guidance from Las Cafeteras. In their normal art-making space, children busily got to work responding to prompts---I am from, I fear, My dream for you is--and so on. Parents did the same but in their own space in the atrium.

The energy in the space where parents were writing was quiet, reflective, and-- most importantly-- without children present. As I walked quietly into their space, I observed parents as I had not been able to see them before: as purely creative, focused, and relaxed. Together, they created an ambience of what felt like a calm and powerful sea, waves of thoughts ebbing and flowing visibly. The determination of their words was very present. They worked quietly and profoundly, not bound physically to their children, as parents normally are. They were individuals manifesting and creating, together. Next, they gathered in a cypher, excitedly and nervously, sharing their writing with one another. They enjoyed each other's’ support, hugged by the musical accompaniment.

Upon returning to the Art Studio, Las Cafateras invited everyone to share these newborn songs by playing a soft melody. Guided in the cypher, parents and children shared with one another first as a whisper, gradually raising volume until a cacophony of poetry and music filled the room. These intimate exchanges communicated directly, bravely, and softly. The words are power. All seem eager to share the fruits of creative labor and love. All seem grateful to receive the precious words, once unspoken, now out in the world.

The parents and children were then invited to share their words within the larger group, accompanied by the beautiful, live music, keeping the steady heartbeat of the entire experience. In this exchange parents and children manifested their origins, fears, beliefs, and their wishes for each other. Every person shared, emboldened by the energy of each other and sounds of encouragement from our new friends and their instruments. In this space, art is a portal -- connecting us as individuals to one another, as a community of individuals, and as a unit with all the potential of our togetherness. Here, art emboldened us to stand in relationship with each other, creating a pathway for connection and supporting the long-term journey of finding our power as people.

Check out the video below for a glimpse into our evening:

Guest User 2/18/19 Guest User 2/18/19

Dhamaal 2019 Honors Youth Dance Ensemble

On Saturday, February 2nd, the Living Arts Youth Dance Ensemble was invited to participate as honored guests at the Detroit Dhamaal 2019 Bollywood Fusion Competition.

Held at the historic Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Detroit, the competition featured Bollywood dance troupes from colleges across the nation. Board member Matthew Nahan spoke about the Living Arts programs and the value of teaching artists in the community. Nahan also introduced the Youth Dance Ensemble performance.

Photos: Zack Bissell, Tara Toumaala 
Video: Tara Toumaala

On Saturday, February 2nd, the Living Arts Youth Dance Ensemble was invited to participate as honored guests at the Detroit Dhamaal 2019 Bollywood Fusion Competition.

"Dhamaal was in an old building, and it's a place where famous dancers have performed," remarked twelve year old, Jasmin Aleman. "I like how we were the honored guests and got to go perform.” Music Hall has featured esteemed performers including Fred Astaire, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and more.

The piece performed by the YDE was collaboratively choreographed by Dance Program Director Marianne Brass, teaching artist Rachel Herbert, and the young dancers. “We began working on the piece in the summer of 2018 and it was premiered in August at the Detroit City Festival. We asked the dancers to explore themes that relate to their current experiences and how their decisions play a role in the shaping of their identities,” stated Brass. After investigating these concepts, the dancers developed individual solos that were choreographed into the group work.

“I consider this dance a piece of living art because it’s continuously evolving as we dig deeper each week in rehearsal. Through guided discussion, reflection, and movement exploration, dancers are continuing to evolve this work of art in collaboration with their mentors.”

"It was a great experience; I was really happy to be there. I'd like to go there again,” said Aleman.

The Youth Dance Ensemble will be performing this collaborative work, along with other dances from their repertoire at our 20th Showcase in June 2019.

Detroit Dhamaal generously donated a portion of the proceeds from the evening to Living Arts. We are so thankful for their continued support and partnership.