Reminiscing on Twin Cities Dance History
Stories are among our most potent tools. We need to unearth old stories that live in a place and begin to create new ones. We are story makers, not just story tellers. All stories are connected, new ones woven from threads of the old. (Paraphrased – Robin Wall Kimmerer)
Join ARENA DANCES every Thursday lunch break for new podcasts, hosted by Artistic Director Mathew Janczewski. This series will share the histories of notable Twin Cities dance artists and the evolution of the industry’s landscape through time. Each week will feature a new guest of honor, sharing their story and impact on this gem of an arts town.
— Our special guests this week is Susan Chilcote-Wade —
To listen to previous episodes, click HERE!
More about today’s special guest –
Susan Chilcote-Wade Originally from Michigan, I received a BFA in Dance Performance from the University of Michigan, School of Music, Theater and Dance. In 1982 fresh from college, I was one of 7 original members of the New Dance Ensemble, a post-modern repertory dance company in Minneapolis, and in ’89 joined the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company in San Francisco. Those were amazing formative years and deep in my matrix.
Dovetailing dancing was my bodywork practice including Therapeutic and Deep Tissue Massage, Trager, Feldenkrais and Pilates. I loved these beautiful careers and feel they inform me to this day. Family life, with its magical worlds and learning adventures was packing creative energy for all of us. Over the course of our kids lives, I volunteered in the schools, doing arts and crafts and running events with other dedicated parents.
During that time I joined the team of amazing artisans at the Renaissance Institute, which runs the booth called Past Times Garden within the Northern California Renaissance Faire. It was there I created the Venetian Mask Painting Workshop, which became a popular activity during faire. I have always been interested in paper Mache, creating objects and creatures, so working faire wasa perfect blend of teaching and creating.
A decade ago, through local workshops and online learning, I discovered a fresh love for painting with Beeswax! That was a life changer! Seeking a way to blend my new found visual art with my movement and bodywork background, meant a steep learning curve into visual art. While the language of art and performing arts is similar, they are very different and skills don’t exactly translate, so I steep myself in continual learning everyday.
I love working with Encaustic wax, the aroma alone is amazing. Using heat guns, irons and torches to move and fuse the layers, is part of the fun and interesting challenges that working with molten wax offers. It can take many different forms, layers, textures and luminocity. I’m able to integrate the life drawing I love, collage, photography, and the world of botanical arts of cyanotype and eco printing. It all works together so well and keeps me pushing forward.
Thank you for your interest, I’m so happy to share my artwork with you. I’m on Instagram: @susanchilcotwade. Feel free to contact me here for purchases, questions, and comments. susan@susanchilcote-wade.com; and you’ve found me on the web at www.susanchilcote-wade.com
Photo (1) Eugene Collins and (2) Bill Cook
Missed last week’s episode? You can find all our previous interviews by clicking here!