On Tuesday, April 5th, Bost consumers and staff and Arkansas College of Health Education faculty and students came together for a community planetary dance event put on by CORE Dance Group. CORE Dance Group out of Atlanta, Georgia, is a contemporary dance organization that creates, performs, and produces compelling original dance that ignites the creative spirit and actively encourages participation and conversation by and with the community. Sue Schroeder, CORE Artistic Director, led the planetary dance experience. Our planetary dance was in partnership with the Arkansas College of Health Education’s Occupational Therapy program led by Dr. Jennifer Moore. Together, people of all ages and abilities ran and walked for the purpose of healing from the pandemic. There was an overwhelming spirit of excitement and renewal as we came together to reflect on living through two long years in a pandemic that had lasting effects on individuals and communities within the disability community.
The invitation for Bost to participate with ACHE in this event made it evident that the arts is a tool an individual with disabilities can use to process and heal from difficulties such as living through a global pandemic. Our individuals creating flags with words such as peace, hope, and love to offer as words of healing. Everyone walked together in a spirit of openness and healing.HealH Several were given a chance to share about their experiences during the pandemic and what the ability to come together meant for them. Some shared of the desire to see more unity across the country. They reflected on family members they had lost in the last two years. Some gave thanks to Bost for caring for them during the pandemic when they had no one else. It was a meaningful time for everyone in attendance. These stories shine light on the work of Bost and the need for the arts. We are reminded by our individuals to be resilient and never give up hope.
This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. Additional funding is provided by the Arkansas Arts Council, Delta Kappa Gamma Kappa State Education Foundation, and the UCA Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
Emily Autry
ArTs at Bost Coordinator