Redding, California-based Artesan Dance Company began in 2006 with its current leader, Artistic Director Summer Odell Ovies, at the helm. With only three dancers, one of them being Summer herself, the company laid foundations for what would eventually become its current iteration.
A turning point came in 2008, when Summer struck a deal with a group of young b-boys: if they took Summer’s weekly modern and ballet classes, they could have an hour of free studio space every week to work on whatever they wanted. From that initial arrangement, five of them were chosen to perform at Artesan’s debut performance at the Cascade Theatre in 2009 and continue to collaborate with the company to this day.
Since then, Summer has nurtured the exciting intersections of hip-hop, breakdancing, modern and ballet that make up the signature movement blend of her company, performing at such venues as the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Inside/Out stage (Berkshires, MA), The Casino de Paris (Paris, France) and across the West Coast.
The aim of Artesan Dance Company is to awaken wonder and delve the depths of the human spirit through movement. We seek to enrich our local and global community through performance, education and media.
Learn More: http://www.artesandancecompany.com