Dancing Wheels: Creating Art . . . From the Visual to the Physical

For “Creating Art . . . From the Visual to the Physical,” professional dancers of the Dancing Wheels Company step into the role of choreographers, transforming inspiration from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection into original works of physically integrated dance.

After exploring and engaging with selected works of visual art at the museum, each dancer-choreographer interprets what they see through their own creative lens for this performance. Color, shape, texture, composition, emotion, movement, historical context, and personal response become starting points for generating choreography. The dancers experiment with translating visual images and ideas into physical movement, considering how bodies, wheelchairs, space, music, and relationships can communicate an artwork’s essence without simply re-creating it.

The creative process reflects Dancing Wheels’ philosophy: Dance is an art form accessible to people of all abilities, and the possibilities for movement and artistic expression are limitless. From this practice of physically integrated dance, the choreographers produce works that highlight the unique movement qualities, perspectives, and creative voices of both sit-down and stand-up dancers.

The resulting pieces give audiences a new way to experience visual art—moving from the gallery to the stage, from image to movement, and from the visual to the physical. The October 23 performance at the Cleveland Museum of Art showcases these newly created works and the artistic voices of Dancing Wheels Company members as choreographers.

Choreographers 

Zachary Biggs
Angelina DiFranco
Emilyann Dustman
Kylie Karam
Sara Lawrence-Sucato
Alexandra Martinez 
DeMarco Sleeper
Nehemiah Spencer

More About Dancing Wheels Company:

Mary Verdi-Fletcher, the first professional wheelchair dancer in the US, founded the Dancing Wheels Company in Cleveland in 1980. Born with spina bifida, Mary wanted to offer others with disabilities full and equal access to the world of dance. An almost unimaginable concept at the time, Mary’s vision and passion have since helped revolutionize our very notion of dance—as well as what defines a dancer.

To date, the Dancing Wheels Company’s inspirational mission has touched over 6.5 million people through performances, school assemblies, residencies, and workshops. Millions more have enjoyed the company’s artistry via appearances on CNN, Good Morning America, and the TV special Christopher Reeve: A Celebration of Hope.

Now part of Professional Flair Inc., a 501(c)(3) arts and disabilities organization, Dancing Wheels continues to travel the globe, advocating for disability awareness and entertaining 30,000–50,000 people each year. With a repertoire of 90 works from nationally esteemed choreographers and a message of inclusion and accessibility, the company continually expands the reach of artistic possibilities while celebrating the universal spirit of dance.

For more information, visit www.dancingwheels.org (opens in a new tab).

The views expressed by performers during this event are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Cleveland Museum of Art.