“Courtnee Papastathis has performed as Zita the Aerialist since 2005. During that time her focus has been to tell compelling stories through her aerial performances. The act you just saw was an illustration of the struggle to shed the defenses that bind us, finding strength in being vulnerable, and how sex contributes to the art of self discovery. It’s also a really awesome excuse to be naked.”

I was uncharacteristically nervous and emotionally raw before my first act, even for me at my most nervous I tend to get at this point in my career. I just couldn’t shake it. Performing, much as the rest of my life, brings an ebb and flow to things. Some days I’m calm as a cucumber, quietly beckoning the universe to bring it on.

Others, I have insecurity and doubt to deal with, or I’m worried about my body being hurt, or I’m highly invested in the emotional weight of the work I am presenting and going out there feels heavy, sometimes even scary.

Last night I had all of those things. It was potentially the last aerial performance I will do, and surely the last one I will do for a while. That was hard and sad and exhilarating at times, and it made for some emotional components to be present that I hadn’t gone through in a while.

I was also performing in an all aerial show, which can be harder on my self esteem and individualism than being the aerialist in a theater show. Even when I wasn’t looking, there were little things popping up, reminding me that I am just a drop of water in an endless sea. All the acts were very different, and all the acts were very good. We do what we do well and I am proud to be a part of such a high caliber production with such talented and creative people.

That said, some of these girls can do things I will never be able to do in less time than it took me to learn how to do a fucking hip lock – things I’ve wanted to do, tried to do and, depending on my perspective, failed at. In a way it can be hard to follow up someone who’s produced a rope act that embodied what I wanted to bring to rope the first 4 years of my aerial experience and never could.

On the flip side, what I bring to my work is unique and powerful, and I know that. In accepting my bodies abilities and limits, I’ve created the space to expose myself in a way that audiences rarely get to see and I am amazing at doing it. Maybe I can’t do open legged drops without wrecking my hips, and maybe my toes won’t splay the right way so I can do a toe climb, but god dammit when I am out there I own the living shit out of it. I own the living shit out of you.

The fact that I can’t even come close to doing the splits, that I don’t have a gymnastics or dance background and that I was a professional drug abuser in my youth rather than an athlete inspires and comforts my beginning aerial students. I have a triumphant and inspiring story to tell. That’s why I like teaching beginners – I want them to know that you don’t have to be a superhuman contortionist to be an aerial performer, and I want them to know that a lot earlier than I did.

Truly performing, for me, is taking people on a stirring emotional journey – along something that runs deep and strong in us as humans. Whether it’s my music, pretending to be a dancer or climbing things, that doesn’t change much. Sometimes I’ll put on a super cute outfit, hop up on a trapeze and practice while people are watching, and that’s really fun and fueling in its own right, but it’s not a true performance of mine. It’s not the meat and the heart of what I go out there for.

I brought that meat and heart and blood and guts and spit last night. People who had no idea of the health issues I am dealing with, or that I am potentially retiring from performing aerial, told me to keep doing what I’m doing with tears in their eyes. They told me it felt like an honor to be in the audience. They told me how inspired they were to create their own magic on a stage and share it. That’s the transformative power of the arts and it’s a beautiful thing that I feel grateful and privileged to have been able to cultivate for the last 5 years. Whatever comes after this, I’ll always carry that with me.

Stay tuned for more events. Maybe this is the time in my life where I learn to be graceful on the ground.

*sniffle*

(Thank you, John Cornicello, for the lovely images, and for allowing me to post produce them)

Who: The staff of Versatile Arts What: Staff show! When: June 9, 2010 7:30 PM Where: 400 Dexter Ave N Tickets: $20 at Brown Paper Tickets

Aerial acts can be many things: exciting, dramatic, comedic, emotional. They can also be sensual, even intimate – and that is the flavor of aerial artistry that we are bringing you with this event. This show features the fantastically talented – and drop-dead sexy – staff of Versatile Arts, returning to our original home at the Little Red Studio for one night only.

Some of the drink ideas for this particular event are:

o The Rope Burn: cinnamon schnapps and cherry-flavored brandy, either over ice (the mild burn) or as a shooter (the severe burn). o The Star Drop: lime vodka mixed with fresh citrus juice and a few drops of fresh lime juice, over ice. o The Ankle hang: a long island iced tea with chambord instead of coke. o Sex in the Sling, a cross between Sex on the Beach and a Singapore Sling.

If you haven’t seen me perform my signature red silks act.. well, let’s just say that you really, really should.

Get your tickets right ]]> *sigh* Man.. this is probably going to be kind of a ramble..

“Courtnee Papastathis has performed as Zita the Aerialist since 2005. During
that time her focus has been to tell compelling stories through her aerial
performances. The act you just saw was an illustration of the struggle to
shed the defenses that bind us, finding strength in being vulnerable, and
how sex contributes to the art of self discovery. It’s also a really awesome
excuse to be naked.”

I was uncharacteristically nervous and emotionally raw before my first act, even for me at my most nervous I tend to get at this point in my career. I just couldn’t shake it. Performing, much as the rest of my life, brings an ebb and flow to things. Some days I’m calm as a cucumber, quietly beckoning the universe to bring it on.

Others, I have insecurity and doubt to deal with, or I’m worried about my body being hurt, or I’m highly invested in the emotional weight of the work I am presenting and going out there feels heavy, sometimes even scary.

Last night I had all of those things. It was potentially the last aerial performance I will do, and surely the last one I will do for a while. That was hard and sad and exhilarating at times, and it made for some emotional components to be present that I hadn’t gone through in a while.

I was also performing in an all aerial show, which can be harder on my self esteem and individualism than being the aerialist in a theater show. Even when I wasn’t looking, there were little things popping up, reminding me that I am just a drop of water in an endless sea. All the acts were very different, and all the acts were very good. We do what we do well and I am proud to be a part of such a high caliber production with such talented and creative people.

That said, some of these girls can do things I will never be able to do in less time than it took me to learn how to do a fucking hip lock – things I’ve wanted to do, tried to do and, depending on my perspective, failed at. In a way it can be hard to follow up someone who’s produced a rope act that embodied what I wanted to bring to rope the first 4 years of my aerial experience and never could.

On the flip side, what I bring to my work is unique and powerful, and I know that. In accepting my bodies abilities and limits, I’ve created the space to expose myself in a way that audiences rarely get to see and I am amazing at doing it. Maybe I can’t do open legged drops without wrecking my hips, and maybe my toes won’t splay the right way so I can do a toe climb, but god dammit when I am out there I own the living shit out of it. I own the living shit out of you.

The fact that I can’t even come close to doing the splits, that I don’t have a gymnastics or dance background and that I was a professional drug abuser in my youth rather than an athlete inspires and comforts my beginning aerial students. I have a triumphant and inspiring story to tell. That’s why I like teaching beginners – I want them to know that you don’t have to be a superhuman contortionist to be an aerial performer, and I want them to know that a lot earlier than I did.

Truly performing, for me, is taking people on a stirring emotional journey – along something that runs deep and strong in us as humans. Whether it’s my music, pretending to be a dancer or climbing things, that doesn’t change much. Sometimes I’ll put on a super cute outfit, hop up on a trapeze and practice while people are watching, and that’s really fun and fueling in its own right, but it’s not a true performance of mine. It’s not the meat and the heart of what I go out there for.

I brought that meat and heart and blood and guts and spit last night. People who had no idea of the health issues I am dealing with, or that I am potentially retiring from performing aerial, told me to keep doing what I’m doing with tears in their eyes. They told me it felt like an honor to be in the audience. They told me how inspired they were to create their own magic on a stage and share it. That’s the transformative power of the arts and it’s a beautiful thing that I feel grateful and privileged to have been able to cultivate for the last 5 years. Whatever comes after this, I’ll always carry that with me.

Stay tuned for more events. Maybe this is the time in my life where I learn to be graceful on the ground.

*sniffle*

(Thank you, John Cornicello, for the lovely images, and for allowing me to post produce them)

Who: The staff of Versatile Arts
What: Staff show!
When: June 9, 2010 7:30 PM
Where: 400 Dexter Ave N
Tickets: $20 at Brown Paper Tickets

Aerial acts can be many things: exciting, dramatic, comedic, emotional. They can also be sensual, even intimate – and that is the flavor of aerial artistry that we are bringing you with this event. This show features the fantastically talented – and drop-dead sexy – staff of Versatile Arts, returning to our original home at the Little Red Studio for one night only.

Some of the drink ideas for this particular event are:

o The Rope Burn: cinnamon schnapps and cherry-flavored brandy, either over ice (the mild burn) or as a shooter (the severe burn).
o The Star Drop: lime vodka mixed with fresh citrus juice and a few drops of fresh lime juice, over ice.
o The Ankle hang: a long island iced tea with chambord instead of coke.
o Sex in the Sling, a cross between Sex on the Beach and a Singapore Sling.

If you haven’t seen me perform my signature red silks act.. well, let’s just say that you really, really should.

Get your tickets right NOW: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/110690

Sign up ]]> New introduction to aerial series is starting March 6th, with the awesome Lauren Kehl and myself presiding!
The next 4-week course will be offered on Saturdays from 3:00-4:30 pm starting March 6, 2010.

Sign up at http://versatilearts.net/classes/intro.html

This  condensed course teaches basic skills and techniques on rope, tissu, and trapeze, and is highly recommended if you’ve never taken an aerial class before. The particular structure of this course is two 2 hour classes for $60. Please join the announcement list to find out about upcoming sessions and read the FAQ at versatilearts.net before signing up. See ]]> Who: Zita the Aerialist and Beverly Rose
What: Introduction to Aerial class (adults only)
When: Sunday, Dec 13 and 20, from 1-3pm
Where: http://www.versatilearts.net, 7601 Greenwood Ave N

This  condensed course teaches basic skills and techniques on rope, tissu, and trapeze, and is highly recommended if you’ve never taken an aerial class before. The particular structure of this course is two 2 hour classes for $60. Please join the announcement list to find out about upcoming sessions and read the FAQ at versatilearts.net before signing up. See you there!

Now offering REDUCED PRICE tickets, for people who don’t want to multitask by eating food while they watch the show! $15, available on Brown Paper Tickets and at the door.

Who: Friends of Vita Arts, 21+ What: Fundraiser for http://vita-arts.org When: Saturday, Feb 6 at 7pm! Where: Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW

How Much: $30 with food, $15 without!

We’re working on getting circus insurance so we can teach aerial in our Workshops! Juggling, singing, aerials, clowning and other performances, all infused with the cheesiest of sentiments. Will it be silly? You bet your fluffy cotton socks it will be! I’m directing the show which is sure to be a night of fun and frivolity, with all the proceeds going to Vita Arts. Obsidian was my dark and dwelling masterpiece; this is just going to be a shitload of fun.

Two courses of Snacky-food will be provided, and a cash bar with beer and wine will be available. Don’t come starving your faces off, but be prepped to graze and drink ]]>

Now offering REDUCED PRICE tickets, for people who don’t want to multitask by eating food while they watch the show! $15, available on Brown Paper Tickets and at the door.

Who: Friends of Vita Arts, 21+
What: Fundraiser for http://vita-arts.org
When: Saturday, Feb 6 at 7pm!
Where: Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW

How Much: $30 with food, $15 without!

We’re working on getting circus insurance so we can teach aerial in our Workshops! Juggling, singing, aerials, clowning and other performances, all infused with the cheesiest of sentiments. Will it be silly? You bet your fluffy cotton socks it will be! I’m directing the show which is sure to be a night of fun and frivolity, with all the proceeds going to Vita Arts. Obsidian was my dark and dwelling masterpiece; this is just going to be a shitload of fun.

Two courses of Snacky-food will be provided, and a cash bar with beer and wine will be available. Don’t come starving your faces off, but be prepped to graze and drink responsibly. NOM!

Booya. http://sancaseattle.org – The only way ]]> For my birthday, my trapeze partner Bev took me to try out flying trapeze at SANCA’s brand new flying rig. It was super fun, and pretty scary at first. Mostly, I thought the heavy bar was going to take me down before I was ready to take off. I got over that pretty quick, and graduated onto tricks faster that I’d expected.

Booya. http://sancaseattle.org – The only way to fly.

A recent review on Yelp commented “And then there’s the trapeze artist. I don’t know which was more impressive: her skillfulness, her costume, or just the fact that a restaurant would have such a thing with which to entertain the dining guests.  Very cool!”

Who: Zita at The Pink Door What: http://www.thepinkdoor.net/ When: Sunday Nov 1, 6-9pm Where: 1919 Post Alley, Pike Place Market

Treat yourself to a lovely meal and come see me strut my tailfeathers in the dining room of the famous Pink Door restaurant in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Reservations strongly recommended, ’cause this place is effin tasty, people.

This is a rare opportunity to see aerial performance in an intimate, close setting, simply for the cost of an amazing meal. Don’t ]]> Last Chance! Sunday Nov 1 is the last evening I will be performing at Pink Door this year (as well as being the day before my 30th birthday)!

A recent review on Yelp commented “And then there’s the trapeze artist. I don’t know which was more impressive: her skillfulness, her costume, or just the fact that a restaurant would have such a thing with which to entertain the dining guests.  Very cool!”

Who: Zita at The Pink Door
What: http://www.thepinkdoor.net/
When: Sunday Nov 1, 6-9pm
Where: 1919 Post Alley, Pike Place Market

Treat yourself to a lovely meal and come see me strut my tailfeathers in the dining room of the famous Pink Door restaurant in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Reservations strongly recommended, ’cause this place is effin tasty, people.

This is a rare opportunity to see aerial performance in an intimate, close setting, simply for the cost of an amazing meal. Don’t miss out.

Who: Monster Art and  Clothing in Ballard What: http://www.monsterartandclothing.com When: Saturday, Nov 14, 6:30 to 9:30 Where: 5000 20th Ave NW, Ballard

I’ll be performing aerial in this awesome little clothing and art store for the Ballard Art Walk, Saturday ]]>

Who: Monster Art and  Clothing in Ballard
What: http://www.monsterartandclothing.com
When: Saturday, Nov 14, 6:30 to 9:30
Where: 5000 20th Ave NW, Ballard

I’ll be performing aerial in this awesome little clothing and art store for the Ballard Art Walk, Saturday Nov 14.

The super-secret shoot I’ve been working on since Sunday was worth it, however.  Even the day I plowed through a 5:30am call, 12 production hours and high tailed it to Pink Door to do my 4 aerial sets immediately thereafter. The best part I reckon are the loads of amazing, lovely and talented people I’ve added to my list of acquaintances. That tends to be a heartening occurrence for me. The food was a close second. They fed us very well, and there is a lot to be said for taking care of your people like that.

I’m listening to Cat Power and prepping for the days ahead, so scheduled and packed I’m not really sure how I’m planning to get it all done and stay standing. I always do somehow, and often get it all done and more, so I’ll just trust that I know what I’m doing somewhere and press on. It was nice to go filterless for a while on a project I wasn’t in charge of – now, though, it’s back to the measured responses of an Executive Director. I think that takes the most work of all, some days.

I’m almost 30.

Take care of ]]> I am on the weirdest schedule now. My feet are puffy and sore. My face is angry from 12+ hours in makeup for days on end. I need about 4 massages to work this weirdness out, and I keep tricking out my jaw when I yawn. I have about 17 projects to catch up on and no end in sight to the onslaught of new ones.  Ah, the glamorous life.

The super-secret shoot I’ve been working on since Sunday was worth it, however.  Even the day I plowed through a 5:30am call, 12 production hours and high tailed it to Pink Door to do my 4 aerial sets immediately thereafter. The best part I reckon are the loads of amazing, lovely and talented people I’ve added to my list of acquaintances. That tends to be a heartening occurrence for me. The food was a close second. They fed us very well, and there is a lot to be said for taking care of your people like that.

I’m listening to Cat Power and prepping for the days ahead, so scheduled and packed I’m not really sure how I’m planning to get it all done and stay standing. I always do somehow, and often get it all done and more, so I’ll just trust that I know what I’m doing somewhere and press on. It was nice to go filterless for a while on a project I wasn’t in charge of – now, though, it’s back to the measured responses of an Executive Director. I think that takes the most work of all, some days.

I’m almost 30.

Take care of you’s, people.

My view on the project is more political/social than the site, http://theyareonlypixels.com, talks about. I like how open ended the project is from the photographers point of view, it’s nice to see someone doing a community project for the sake of allowing others to express what they’d like out of it, rather than saying “This is meant to tell all the nude haters to screw off” or the like.

Strange. I just got ]]> A few weeks ago, Bev and I modeled for David Peterman, a photographer who is pursuing an interesting self censorship photo project. The idea behind the project is to give people the opportunity to censor themselves how they wish to, and to eventually create a print project of some sort. The “Censored” bars range from sad to ridiculous.

My view on the project is more political/social than the site, http://theyareonlypixels.com, talks about. I like how open ended the project is from the photographers point of view, it’s nice to see someone doing a community project for the sake of allowing others to express what they’d like out of it, rather than saying “This is meant to tell all the nude haters to screw off” or the like.

Strange. I just got deja vu.

Tickets $75, at http://flyinghouse.org/specialevents/justartticket.asp

Elegant glass sculptures. Vivid watercolors. Oil on canvas. Stunning photographs. Delicate iron and wood carvings.

The silent and live auctions feature exquisite pieces by some of the Pacific Northwest’s premier talents, as well as pieces by gifted up-and-comers who have not shown in galleries or other usual venues. Proceeds benefit the Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus and the contributing artists receive 20 percent of the selling price of their work.

For more information on how to donate contact Murray McKay at murraym@flyinghouse.org or 206.388.1413.

The event will include one LIVE and two silent auctions, hosted cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment by Seattle’s best Burlesque and ]]>

Who: Myself and Dyno performing aerial throughout the evening
What: Flying House Productions: Just Art auction
When: Friday, September 25 from 6:00 to 10:00pm
Where: Fremont Studios, 155 N. 35th Street in Seattle

Tickets $75, at http://flyinghouse.org/specialevents/justartticket.asp

Elegant glass sculptures. Vivid watercolors. Oil on canvas. Stunning photographs. Delicate iron and wood carvings.

The silent and live auctions feature exquisite pieces by some of the Pacific Northwest’s premier talents, as well as pieces by gifted up-and-comers who have not shown in galleries or other usual venues. Proceeds benefit the Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus and the contributing artists receive 20 percent of the selling price of their work.

For more information on how to donate contact Murray McKay at murraym@flyinghouse.org or 206.388.1413.

The event will include one LIVE and two silent auctions, hosted cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment by Seattle’s best Burlesque and Circus performers.

Who: The Circus of Dreams guild performers – http://www.circusofdreams.org/performers/

What: Circus of Dreams Guild (http://www.circusofdreams.org/) is a Children’s non-profit organization dedicated to bringing hope and joy to children with brain tumors.

When: I will be performing in the adult evening show Friday Sept 18th, 8pm ($25)

Where: Allen Theater at ACT Theater

Please join us on September 18, 2009 for the second annual Circus of Dreams benefit. This event features stunning performances by a collective of well known Seattle-area aerialists showcasing a variety of aerial arts including aerial hoops, silks, trapeze, and other amazing talent.

There will be three shows- an all ages evening show on Friday, September 18th ($25) and TWO Children’s matinees at 1PM and 4PM on Saturday, September 19th ($20 full/adult, $10 discount/child). Tickets are available at https://www.acttheatre.org/TicketsPlays/Play.aspx?prod=2337. Please note that the $10 child rate won’t be visible until the ]]>

Who: The Circus of Dreams guild performers – http://www.circusofdreams.org/performers/

What: Circus of Dreams Guild (http://www.circusofdreams.org/) is a Children’s non-profit organization dedicated to bringing hope and joy to children with brain tumors.

When: I will be performing in the adult evening show Friday Sept 18th, 8pm ($25)

Where: Allen Theater at ACT Theater

Please join us on September 18, 2009 for the second annual Circus of Dreams benefit. This event features stunning performances by a collective of well known Seattle-area aerialists showcasing a variety of aerial arts including aerial hoops, silks, trapeze, and other amazing talent.

There will be three shows- an all ages evening show on Friday, September 18th ($25) and TWO Children’s matinees at 1PM and 4PM on Saturday, September 19th ($20 full/adult, $10 discount/child). Tickets are available at https://www.acttheatre.org/TicketsPlays/Play.aspx?prod=2337. Please note that the $10 child rate won’t be visible until the ‘checkout’ screen.

The Pink Door 1919 ]]>

Sundays in August, Mondays in September.

The Pink Door
1919 Post Ally
Seattle

Who: Levity, Chimera, Dyno, Zita, and more fabulous aerial talent!

What: The first fundraising event for Vita Arts, my new non-profit arts organization

Where: Versatile Arts, 7601 Greenwood Ave, Seattle

When: Saturday, July 25, 2009 8:00pm – 10:00pm

Why?

Seems to me, many people spend a long time building their lives into something they can be proud of,  something comfortable for them, in order to be safe to accomplish another something that’s bigger than themselves.

I have done my fair share of struggling, trying different configurations, playing small and dreaming big. Over the last few years, I’ve contemplated what the bigger thing might be, for me. Sure, I sometimes make people happy with my art. I make money helping other people do cool things, I volunteer, and my financial/geographical footprint is about 15% of what it used to be when I worked for Microsoft. I even turn the water off when I brush my teeth most of the time. But what can I REALLY do to make a difference in life?

When it came time for me to serve the world somehow, I found that I wanted to create a non-profit organization to help perpetuate the transformative capabilities inherent in expressing ones self, artistically. To make a space for people to experience the healing opportunities I have had through art in a more tactile, kinesthetic way than I have with my personal offerings of performances, music, paintings and that sort of thing.

I know art saves lives, because it saved mine. I’ve seen the results, and heard the stories of others, about the power of artistic expression to heal and transform. Whether it be from seeing it, appreciating it, facilitating it, being it, creating it, failing at it, living it – I maintain that art has the power to touch absolutely everyone.

I’ve also seen how sharing myself artistically often effects and inspires people to action. How the experience of art opens people up to expressing life, to telling their once-quiet stories through a medium, helping discover courages and strengths we so often convince ourselves we don’t, or can’t, have. How art helps people face their fears, release difficult emotions, grieve, find direction and purpose.

Perhaps most importantly, I have seen how, no matter how bleak and helpless a situation may seem, one small, brave action creates a chain of them. Every time.

It’s never too late to choose to make a difference.

Vita Arts is sharing the power of art with the disadvantaged and transforming lives.

Our performances offer the public a chance to see our skills, and to be moved by the human spirit.  Our shows  also serve to fund and publicize our outreach efforts, working with individuals in small workshops, giving them a chance to experience creating art for themselves, perhaps for the very first time.

We are starting local, with two public performances and a workshop being planned in 2009 alone. We look forward to expanding our efforts in the coming years by collaborating with other organizations (such as disaster relief orgs, loss support groups, and those helping reform the incarcerated) to offer transformative art experiences to the disadvantaged of all ages, around the world.

Come find out more about who we are, what we’re doing,  see a great show, and best of all, help make a difference.

Please note: If you are unable to attend this event and wish to support us, we are gratefully accepting donations. Provisional 501(c)(3) status is in the works, and will backdate once approved for tax deduction purposes. You may send donations to Vita Arts, PO box 20233, Seattle, WA 98102.

Thank you, so much, for ]]> “No matter how enlightened you are, as long as there are people suffering, you still have plenty of work to do.”

Who: Levity, Chimera, Dyno, Zita, and more fabulous aerial talent!

What: The first fundraising event for Vita Arts, my new non-profit arts organization

Where: Versatile Arts, 7601 Greenwood Ave, Seattle

When: Saturday, July 25, 2009 8:00pm – 10:00pm

Why?

Seems to me, many people spend a long time building their lives into something they can be proud of,  something comfortable for them, in order to be safe to accomplish another something that’s bigger than themselves.

I have done my fair share of struggling, trying different configurations, playing small and dreaming big. Over the last few years, I’ve contemplated what the bigger thing might be, for me. Sure, I sometimes make people happy with my art. I make money helping other people do cool things, I volunteer, and my financial/geographical footprint is about 15% of what it used to be when I worked for Microsoft. I even turn the water off when I brush my teeth most of the time. But what can I REALLY do to make a difference in life?

When it came time for me to serve the world somehow, I found that I wanted to create a non-profit organization to help perpetuate the transformative capabilities inherent in expressing ones self, artistically. To make a space for people to experience the healing opportunities I have had through art in a more tactile, kinesthetic way than I have with my personal offerings of performances, music, paintings and that sort of thing.

I know art saves lives, because it saved mine. I’ve seen the results, and heard the stories of others, about the power of artistic expression to heal and transform. Whether it be from seeing it, appreciating it, facilitating it, being it, creating it, failing at it, living it – I maintain that art has the power to touch absolutely everyone.

I’ve also seen how sharing myself artistically often effects and inspires people to action. How the experience of art opens people up to expressing life, to telling their once-quiet stories through a medium, helping discover courages and strengths we so often convince ourselves we don’t, or can’t, have. How art helps people face their fears, release difficult emotions, grieve, find direction and purpose.

Perhaps most importantly, I have seen how, no matter how bleak and helpless a situation may seem, one small, brave action creates a chain of them. Every time.

It’s never too late to choose to make a difference.

Vita Arts is sharing the power of art with the disadvantaged and transforming lives.

Our performances offer the public a chance to see our skills, and to be moved by the human spirit.  Our shows  also serve to fund and publicize our outreach efforts, working with individuals in small workshops, giving them a chance to experience creating art for themselves, perhaps for the very first time.

We are starting local, with two public performances and a workshop being planned in 2009 alone. We look forward to expanding our efforts in the coming years by collaborating with other organizations (such as disaster relief orgs, loss support groups, and those helping reform the incarcerated) to offer transformative art experiences to the disadvantaged of all ages, around the world.

Come find out more about who we are, what we’re doing,  see a great show, and best of all, help make a difference.

Please note: If you are unable to attend this event and wish to support us, we are gratefully accepting donations. Provisional 501(c)(3) status is in the works, and will backdate once approved for tax deduction purposes. You may send donations to Vita Arts, PO box 20233, Seattle, WA 98102.

Thank you, so much, for your support.