Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell Sherman

Columbus, Ohio

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Sara now resides in Columbus, Ohio, where she works as an independent choreographer and dance teacher.

Sara received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Dance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. At UNCG Sara also studied a semester at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in Perth, Australia.

Sara completed her MFA in choreography at The Ohio State University. During her time at OSU Sara was selected to compile research for William Forsythe’s interface project, Choreographic Objects. She also participated in the creation and installation of the Forsythe gallery performance of Monster Partitur at The Wexner Center for the Arts.

Sara’s work can be viewed at: http://saramitchell.webs.com

Blue Sky Insight

Blue Sky Project was introduced to me by former Blue Sky Resident Artist Rodney Veal. I was excited by Blue Sky’s model and approach to making contemporary art as collective in a non-hierarchical process. Also having the support to make work with materials, facilities and staff addressing the creative needs of the artists is a rare, special opportunity.

My work as a choreographer and dancer has always been collaborative in nature however, developing a project with local teens/future artists deemed to be a new way to explore different means of creative problem solving as part of the choreographic process. The Dayton area teens seemed open to explore a new way to present their artistic desires through a movement-based project that threw the group into a commitment to innovate, explore and collaborate. The biggest reward of Blue Sky Project was seeing first hand the growth and development that each youth participant conveyed. Getting to work along side some of Dayton’s creative youth was the best part of the summer. The eight weeks we spent together I watched them thrive in their various talents, try something new, become excited and articulate why they were participating.

There was a distinct intersection of age, idea, vision and passion where each group member opened up to a new experience and creative investigation. The work that was produced stemmed from the collaboration of these amazing young individuals who shared their ideas, thoughts and desires about the work.

Having the opportunity to be part of Blue Sky supported a new way for me to present my work. This is a rare opportunity to exhibit contemporary art and be supported by the Dayton community at large – artists, art lovers and supporters of the arts. During my Blue Sky experience I learned more about my choreographic process and it challenged me to navigate differently through an art making process that will continue to filter into my work. I am very thankful to have shared this experience, ideas, and encouraging dialogue with my fellow Artist-in-Residence. This process would not have been possible without the help of my Student Artist Tami Liss who bridged the gap between the youth participants and myself. Thank you to Blue Sky Project, The University of Dayton and all who support Blue Sky Project in any way that enables significant collaborative projects and experiences to transpire.