In celebration of Women's History Month, Becoming features Austin dancers, mother choreographers, musicians and mother visual artists in partnership with local pregnancy support centers.
These artistic creators tell their story of mother.
Spaces of Fontana, a contemporary dance collaboration, presents Becoming, an evening-length, multimedia performance filled with dance, art and live original music exploring the various seasons and common threads of motherhood.
The premiere of Becoming features local Austin talent in celebration of mothers in every season during Women’s history month at First Street Studio on March 15-16, 2024.
In partnership with the premiere of Becoming, the evening will also feature guest choreographers presenting works on their own journey of motherhood. Artwork created by local artists who have added the identity of motherhood to their person, will be showcased and auctioned in the lobby. Local pregnancy and women support organizations will share resources to support moms from pregnancy to childbirth to raising their children.
When and Where?
March 15-16, 2024 in celebration of mothers in every season during Women’s history month at First Street Studioin Austin, TX.
“Art and culture are the most important vehicles by which we come to understand one another. They make us curious about that which is different or unfamiliar, and ultimately allow us to accept it, even embrace it.” - David Zwirner of New York Times
Becoming taps into the universal themes of processing through different seasons in your life and the identity changes that you must undergo to successfully transition to the next. Motherhood affects everyone. The Founder and Artistic Director of Spaces of Fontana, Evelyn Joy Hoelscher, reflects on her own transformation that continues to unfold as she mothers her two children. In a world where motherhood is often thought of as a burden or something that happens after a career, Evelyn sought to find space for her as dancer and mom; creator of art and wiper of boogers; leader of visions and champion of imaginative play. In the professional dance classes she offers, and rehearsals she leads, Evelyn seeks to create a welcoming space for mothers. She wants to foster a place where moms can be the fullest version of themselves, because she knows she is a better mom when she is also dancing.
Inspired by journal entries while pregnant, poetry from her mother, Sara Fontana, and the research of biological connections on the healing power of fetal cells and hormonal bonds, Evelyn leads the collaborative creation of this work by guiding the lyrics, the movement and overall artistic vision.
We dive into four seasons of motherhood and accept what we don’t know.
Pregnant Pause
Suspended Stillness
Constant Chaos
…To be continued
We all come from a mom. No matter how beautiful, tainted or vulnerable that relationship may be, this piece invites each audience member to reflect on their own relationship with their mothers and, if only for a moment, opens their eyes to see her experience. As women, we are all uniquely called to our own version of motherhood, whether that be through birthing a biological child, raising adopted twins, nurturing a friend in need or mentoring the next generation. Becoming seeks to create a space for mothers to be all of who they are and invites all persons to reflect on their own relationship with motherhood and identity changes through the seasons of life.
Founded in New York City in 2016 by Artistic Director, Evelyn Joy Hoelscher, Spaces of Fontana is an Austin-based contemporary dance collaboration inspired by human moments to create art rooted in hope. We are dedicated to filling up every space with positive energy in hopes to leave every person touched with a sense of warmth. As artists, we explore improvisation, contemporary partnering and somatics to bring life to our understanding of a human experience.
While in NYC, we developed 7 works, performed over 30 times, received multiple grants and were featured in a segment with MNN TV network on a piece inspired by JPII’s Theology of the Body. We’ve had the honor to present work at a number of prestigious festivals and self-produced shows; including the US Open, Alvin Ailey Theater, Dumbo Dance Festival, Arts on Site, Queensboro Dance Festival, Dixon Place and Mark Morris Dance Group Theater.
Since relaunching in Austin in 2023, we have hosted weekly professional contemporary partnerwork classes, hired 5 talented local dancers and 2 composers, performed for the renowned festival Dance Carousel and developed a partnership with Texas A&M’s new School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts.
As a project-based company, we are committed to fostering a collaborative creative process giving space to each artist to discover their unique voice and connection to the piece.
As artists it is our goal to...
“Create works worthwhile and beautiful, [that] not only enrich the cultural heritage of each nation and of all humanity, but they also render an exceptional social service in favour of the common good”
as St. Pope John Paul the II wrote in his Letter to Artist.
Your support is the heartbeat of this work. We believe in the power of dance as an art form. We all live in our bodies, so to experience a physical interpretation of our human existence we can relate on a visceral level. Austin is no stranger to art, and the dance scene is growing. Your 100% tax-deductible donation adds to the cultural significance of the city and supports the local artists responsible for creating it.
Dancer Compensation: Hourly rehearsal pay, along with performance pay, to compensate our 6 dance artists during their intensive creative exploration.
Artists Collaborators: The composition of live original music, guest choreographers and guest visual artists.
Performance Space Rental: The cost of the venue for the performance space, in addition to tech and dress rehearsal.
Production Costs: From costume and lighting designers to stage managers to photographers to liability insurance and marketing costs, the production fees can add up.
A huge thank you and celebration to The Dance Spot for their generous support of offering Spaces of Fontana rehearsal space. Becoming would not be possible without your support.
Challenges?
Art is important…and creating art costs money. It is not possible for us to support and create the vision or what we envision without you. Depending on the amount of donations and sponsors we receive, will determine how much we are able to compensate our artists and to create various aspects of the performance.
Do something amazing and be a part of the creation of Becoming.
