 Black History Month Spotlight: We're showcasing contemporary Black artists who inspire us.
Actress and singer Audra McDonald is known for her work on Broadway. She has won six Tony awards for roles in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess and Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. After George Floyd's death, McDonald launched an advocacy coalition, Black Theatre United, which addresses racism in and outside the theater community. No stranger to activism, she has used her voice for issues surrounding voting rights, aiding families separated at the border and homeless youth. More: • Audra McDonald & Jason Robert Brown's Singing You Home recording • More about Black Theatre United
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 Photo by JOSEFINA SANTOS for ArtNews Black History Month Spotlight: We're showcasing contemporary Black artists who inspire us.
Contemporary visual artist Julie Mehretu is known for her multi-layered and abstract paintings on a large scale. Her artwork depicts the effects of urban sociopolitical changes. Mehretu was included in Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2020. From Walker Art Center, "At the onset of a millennium defined by globalization, Julie Mehretu has created a new form of history painting whose themes include identity, cultural history, geography, and personal narrative." More: • More about Julie from Walker • Read an article from ArtNews about Julie's abstractions referencing today's most important social issues • Watch a video about Julie's process  Black History Month Spotlight: We're showcasing contemporary Black artists who inspire us.
Singer-songwriter Solange Knowles co-wrote and produced every song on her album in 2016 Seat at the Table where she turns "her gaze outward, exploring her frustrations with a country that draws its lifeblood from black art without sufficiently valuing black life." (Read the New Yorker article about her album addressing injustice for black people in America.) More: • Solange's album • Her Interview with Ari Shapiro on NPR • Knowles also speaks about her disability, ADHD • She has launched a free community library to make accessible rare and out-of-print works by Black and brown authors And more information about physical microaggressions, as Knowles sings about: • Information about touching hair as a microaggression for BIPOC • Why people can't touch black women's hair  Jacquelyn Diaz Photography Black History Month Spotlight: We're showcasing contemporary Black artists who inspire us.
PNB ballerina Amanda Morgan speaks out for inclusivity in the world of ballet: "For so long, ballet has just given a white narrative. We need to give different types of people the opportunity to choreograph in ballet companies, because then you’re going to see different stories." More: • Full interview of Amanda Morgan from Dance Magazine • Other leaders for equality through dance: Alvin Ailey, Katherine Dunham • How non-Black dancers can become a better ally  Hip Hop Beg/Int Workshop Friday, March 4: 6:00pm-7:15pm Hip Hop Adv Workshop Friday, March 4: 7:15pm-8:30pm Intro to Heels Workshop (ages 16+) Saturday, March 5: 6:30pm-8:00pm Kelsey Howard began dancing at the age of three, training at Dance Vision in Johnston, IA under the direction of Sabetha Mumm. Kelsey has 15 years of competition experiences, winning awards and scholarships through dance conventions including Hollywood Vibe, The Pulse, Tremaine, Adrenaline, Jump, and more. Kelsey has trained in intensives led by Brian Friedman, Tucker Barkley, Laurie Anne Gibson, Dave Scott, and more. Kelsey has performed in pieces choreographed by Brian Friedman, Misha Gabriel, Rustin Mathews, and performed in professional pieces including a piece for the Beach Boys. Kelsey was the captain of Valley High School Dance Team in 2009, and placed first place in the state solo competition. Kelsey was also a former soloist for the Iowa Youth Ballet. More recently, Kelsey is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a Bachelors in Psychology with a minor in Human Relations. Kelsey received a 200 hour yoga certification through Power Life Yoga, in Des Moines.
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