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Creation Story

Several years ago, I became busy with a simple but profound practice. Make a circle every day. Armed with a stack of three-inch square blank pieces of paper, a single paintbrush, a few colored pencils, and an inexpensive palette of watercolors, I set off following this thread of curiosity, not knowing where it would lead or that this practice would hold me for the better part of three years. The rules were that iI could only make one circle per day. What was made could not be discarded or thrown out at the whims of my liking of disliking it. I could spend as little or as much time as I wanted to on it. If there was a day when the circle-making was skipped, the little white square had to be left blank on one side with the date written on the back. There was no going backward, no return.

From the outside, the task is an effortless thing to do. Yet, as the days passed, I found it surprisingly difficult to maintain, especially in the beginning. I learned that my mind would find many justifications for the streaks of inconsistency. I invented imaginary conditions that had to be met before I could fully immerse myself in the task. This illuminated the feeling that I didn’t have a suitable space or enough time. I navigated this by placing my art supplies beside the kitchen sink. Every morning, when I got up to make my coffee, all I had to do was reach my hand to those objects, and the circle-making could begin.

Once I learned how to navigate my initial struggles, the magic of this practice started to appear, revealing how I am in relation to my creative process and teaching me to trust. I learned that all I had to do was meet the task, and once I began, there was no need for me to strive for creativity. It was already present and built into the design of the practice. I was moving away from the capitalist demand or production, queering it toward my sensation and joy. This freed me. It took away an arbitrary sense of pressure, allowing me to rest in the creation, reviving and inspiring me.

I have come to think of creativity as a tiny flame. There are times when It feels like a far-off whisper in the dark. Turning our attention to the little actions that attend to that flame allows it to breathe and blaze. I have very few circles I didn’t fall in love with from that time. Without intending to create beauty, I was able to be in a new method. Without worrying about the outcome looming, I discovered that the beauty would emerge on its own.

Information about Covid Protocols

About five years ago winkys life partner, J’aime was diagnosed with three types of cancer. During the pandemic she needed to receive aggressive treatment for these conditions. The two and a half years of debilitating treatments and side effects, were certainly a challenge. We are both relieved and delighted to be past that, even as we deal with the after affects. Today we are cautiously optimistic about our future, as J’aime is doing well. Even though there isn’t a current cure J’aimes medical status is: ‘no evidence of disease’. We hope it lasts for a long, long time!

One after affect is J’aime has been left with a compromised immune system. This will be the case for quite some time and leaves her particularly vulnerable to Covid. For this reason Meshi and I have kept our offerings online….Until fairly recently when J’aime’s oncologist changed our protocols for being around other people. Unexpectedly, I am allowed to return to in-person dance, albeit with specific restrictions. See below.
I understand that these requirements may not work for you. Know that you will be missed at dance and we will keep our mailing list informed as things change.

Requirements:

•properly worn masks [N95 preferred], while in the building and while dancing.
• proof of vaxx/boosting prior to attending
• pre-registration and prepayment
• class size will be limited
• please do not attend if you have been traveling by airplane within seven days, tested positive, been exposed to someone who has covid or if you are not feeling well.

Refunds or credits will be given for those who need to cancel because of covid issues. Otherwise your registration is not refundable.

Seeker, Dreamer, Explorer of the Unknown ~

Here is an independent study program tailored specifically for you. You have a yearning, a desire, dreams that you are not sure how to fulfill. You have questions tugging at the edges of your being. Personal Inquiry supports your search for ways to understand the confluence of the richness of your life. It provides tools towards unearthing your curiosity while illuminating the pathway. Let’s explore together.

In our Personal Inquiry Movement Program you work with Meshi Chavez or Winky Wheeler to co-create a customized program for you to delve into your inquiry. This three month program includes six personalized mentoring sessions which provide accountability, support, and refinement.

We will assist you in the development of an engaged movement practice which may incorporate other creative pursuits, such as: journaling, reading, artistic expressions and other contemplative practices. This is a unique opportunity to cultivate a more intimate relationship with yourself, develop your curiosity and maybe even discover a new way of being in the world.

Three Month commitment with your own start date

Local or out of town participants welcome.

$550 includes initial interview, customized program and six personalized mentoring sessions

Contact Meshi Chavez 503.730.2737 • meshichavez@icloud.com

or Winky Wheeler 503.788.8060 • wwd@comcast.net for your application

Join Middlebury’s Artist in Residence Meshi Chavez and NW Creative & Expressive Arts Institute faculty member Kriya Kaping as we guide you in developing a stronger relationship to movement, presence, and your personal narrative.

Meshi Chavez Artist in Residence, teacher, choreographer, and performer. His work is predicated on the concept that creativity is our birthright. With a career that has spanned over two decades he has taught and performed nationally and internationally. Meshi is currently Artist in Residence at Middlebury College. He works with author, scholar and theologian Matthew Fox, teaching Movement as Meditation. He has taught at Schumacher College and offered online courses through The Shift Network. His choreography has been presented at The Joan Mitchell Foundation in New Orleans.

Kriya Kaping, BA, MA, is a storyteller, multimedia creative director, and educator. She has worked regionally and internationally creating trainings and adult education initiatives, webinars, workshops, panels, and roundtables. Kriya is a seasoned storyteller and facilitator who has collaborated on a number of courses with Bobbie Kidder, Drama Therapy faculty at Antioch University in Seattle, WA. Kriya has performed her personal stories for the stage with Portland Storytellers’ Guild, Portland Story Theater, Speakeasy DC, and Living Stages.

Join Middlebury’s Artist in Residence for this 5 day dance intensive as we explore movement, practice creative generation and focus on transforming our discoveries into potent meaningful metaphors.

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Meshi Chavez Artist in Residence, is a teacher, choreographer, and performer. His work is predicated on the concept that creativity is our birthright. With a career that has spanned over two decades he has taught and performed nationally and internationally. Meshi is currently Artist in Residence at Middlebury College. He works with author, scholar and theologian Matthew Fox, teaching Movement as Meditation. He has taught at Schumacher College and offered online courses through The Shift Network. His choreography has been presented at The Joan Mitchell Foundation in New Orleans.

In this workshop we open our arms and imaginations to words as a gateway into dance. Using a process that Winky has developed over fifteen years, you are guided into movement from an original angle. Discover how poetic phrases can spark your curiosity, and build unique connections with others and movement. Not only will be dance, but we will create new writings ~ alone and together.

Join Winky for this intriguing, committed series that enriches your kinesthetic experience of the world by befriending words.

Thursdays 9-10:30am Pacific Time

September 23, 30 + October 14, 21, 28 + November 4 [no class October 7]

$135