Elevate Arts

If your life has been touched by Elsie, Serenity, or NECCA, please help spread the word. Here is the letter I wrote to the board today.

To the Board of the New England Center for Circus Arts:

I am shocked and horrified to learn of your decision to sever ties with NECCA's founders. Elsie and Serenity are the lifeblood of an organization that has been built on their leadership, reputation, integrity, generosity, courage, vision, and strength. The unfailing support the staff and community has shown to Elsie and Serenity over the years, and especially now in this darkest hour, is a testament to the universe they have created.

When I first met Elsie and Serenity in 2002, they were sharing studio space with a photographer in the Cotton Mill. They had recently returned from touring and had begun to offer lessons to professionals and fledgling artists like me. I was impressed not only by their skill as coaches but also their generosity in sharing such a special gift. Over the years, I made an annual pilgrimage from Washington, DC, to New England to train with them, and they supported me in my growth as a performer, choreographer, and coach. I watched with great delight as they realized their dreams - and the dreams of the entire circus community - of building a world-class circus facility in the most unlikely of places. NECCA was a place of dreams for the students, professionals, audience, and community.

To think that NECCA can survive without the spirit and strength of its founders and dream makers shows a profound lack of judgement, vision, and leadership. I strongly encourage you to reconsider your actions. By forcing the resignation of Elsie and Serenity, you have betrayed your supporters, misled your donors, demoralized your staff, outraged the circus community, endangered your students, and ensured NECCA's demise.

I was looking forward to returning next year to your beautiful new facility, and sharing this special place with my daughter. But I can no longer support an organization that has lost its soul.

With great sadness,

Sharon Witting
Artistic Director
Elevate Arts LLC

New England Center for the Circus Arts: Founding sisters terminated from positions BRATTLEBORO — In a move that is bound to send shock waves around the international circus world, the board of directors of the New England Center for Circus Arts has removed founders Elsie Smith and Serenity Smith Forchion as artistic …

We've met our institutional goal of $60,000 (Yay!) but I'm still behind my personal goal of raising $1,000 to benefit VisArts. If you'd like to help, it's not too late. Please visit my fundraising page before midnight tomorrow: http://challenge.visartscenter.org/sharon-witting. Thank you!

It's not too late to join the 2016 VisArts Challenge! Thanks to the generosity of individuals like you, we've surpassed our goal, but the Challenge continues to raise needed funds to deliver our mission of transforming individuals and communities through the visual arts. You can help by donating today: http://challenge.visartscenter.org/

Learn to fly while supporting a good cause! In this two-hour introductory aerial arts workshop, you will discover the joy, freedom, and challenge of flight. This private workshop, held at VisArts at Rockville, includes basic skills in static trapeze and aerial silks; conditioning for aerialists; and safe exploration on the ground and in the air. No experience is necessary. $75/person for up to four students. All proceeds support the 2016 VisArts Challenge. For more information, please email me at [email protected].

Nice article on the history and future of aerial dance in D.C.

NR Reader Magazine July/Aug 2016 http://www.ngomareader.org/
Washington, D.C.'s Dance Magazine The Ngoma Reader (NR) is a Bi-monthly online publication that gives literary voice to dance artists of Washington, D.C. NR speaks through three core components: Community (D.C. Dance Directory), Awareness (Shows, Events, Projects, Season...

Meet the VisArtist: Sharon Witting

Sharon Witting rehearses at VisArts for Flight of Fancy on April 9. She will perform “Sojourn,” an aerial hoop solo, and improvisations on aerial sling with guest artist Ann Behrends during the event.

Sharon is founder and artistic director of Elevate Arts, an aerial arts company that delivers high impact performance and high caliber instruction for audiences of all ages and abilities. She has performed in museums, galleries, theaters, and nontraditional venues throughout the region since 2000. When not suspended from the ceiling at VisArts or teaching in her Takoma Park studio, Sharon raises awareness and financial support for VisArts as Director of External Relations.

“Working at VisArts is an inspiration to me personally and professionally,” Sharon says. “Every day I am surrounded by talent, vision, and innovation. It is an honor to work in an environment that nurtures and supports creativity on so many levels.”

See Sharon take flight on April 9: https://www.visartsatrockville.org/more/event/2nd-annual-creative-canvas/

Thanks to all who came to see Breath & Air at the Baltimore Theater Project this weekend. Here are highlights of Novena, a new aerial strap duet by Ann Behrends performed by Sharon Witting (top) and Ann (bottom). Photos by Karen Jackson.

Come see Sharon Witting and Ann Behrends perform Novena, an aerial strap duet by Ann, in Breath & Air at the Baltimore Theater Project this weekend. Sharon and Ann perform together again at Flight of Fancy, VisArts's signature fundraising event, on Saturday, April 9.

Elevate Arts Elevate Arts is an aerial arts company specializing in high impact performance and high caliber instruction for audiences of all ages and abilities.

Last semester flew by and Elevate Arts's Junior Flyers (ages 7-11) couldn't wait to share what they'd learned with friends and family on Observation Day. Mermaids, black doves, gazelles, and partner harnesses were just a few skills on the program. For more information on classes, visit http://www.elevatearts.com/ #!learn/c7co.

So honored to be a part of this milestone event! Come see me perform and support Dance Place, a home to countless performing artists, a beacon for dance, and a catalyst for change in DC for 35 years. Congratulations, Dance Place!

Thrive 35! Dance Place’s 35th Anniversary Gala | Dance Place | Dance Classes and Performances in... Performances - Dance Party - Silent Auction - Libations

Sharon Witting and Ann Behrends perform at a corporate event at Union Market's Dock Five in Washington, DC on June 3, 2015.

Elevate Arts performs "Sojourn" at the Forum Theatre in Silver Spring, MD. Many thanks to ShimmySista for producing A Night at the Moulin and Stereo Vision Photography for the beautiful photos.

I will be performing this solo at "A Night at the Moulin" this Sunday with Ava Fleming at the Forum Theatre in Silver Spring. Hope to see you there! For tickets: http://shimmysista.com/avafleming.htm.

"Sojourn" by Elevate Arts Studio rehearsal of "Sojourn," a new lyra solo by Elevate Arts' Sharon Witting. Music by David Schulman. Costume by Sharon Witting and Jerry Tiney.