UCROSS ARTIST INVITES COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL PROJECT (PART 2)

Helanius J. Wilkins, an award-winning choreographer, performance artist, activist and educator based in Boulder, Colorado, is returning to Ucross to work with local community members on The Conversation Series: Stitching the Geopolitical Quilt to Re-Body Belonging, his project that includes new choreographies, a documentary film, and a digital archive of the process and performance.

“The work stitches together a ‘dance-quilt’ to broaden our understandings of what it means to be American and sew ourselves together anew,” explained Wilkins. “It is humbling and also an honor to have Ucross as an organizational partner to create one of my landing places in the state of Wyoming.”

Over several years, Wilkins will travel to all 50 states, Washington, DC., and five inhabited territories to discover the histories and stories of diverse communities and engage in conversations centering on belonging. He is guided by the question: “How can we get the world that we deserve — one that works for everyone?"

Presented and supported in part by Ucross, Wilkins will facilitate a series of these gatherings in Sheridan County. He began in early August by meeting privately with different groups, then engaged the greater community with public events. 

This month, he is returning to the Ucross area for two more public events. Learn more and register below.

Wednesday, September 6, at 5:30 p.m.
WYO Performing Arts & Education Center | 42 N. Main St., Sheridan, Wyoming

Belonging Conversation Community Gathering will return to the WYO Performing Arts and Education Center on Wednesday, September 6, at 5:30 p.m. Designed to bring together an intergenerational and inclusive group of Sheridan County residents, this community gathering creates a space to explore the topic of belonging from multiple entry points and perspectives and to illuminate how we are connected through shared stories. A continuation of previous gatherings, this event is free and open to the public.

To register for this conversation, please click here.

Saturday, September 9, at 5 p.m.
Ucross | 30 Big Red Lane, Ucross, Wyoming

On Saturday, September 9, at 5 p.m., Wilkins will offer a Choreographic Ritual – a site-based offering/response to the community that is part dance, part performance art, part meditation. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public. 

To register for this event, please click here.